Two On A Big Ocean The Story of the First Circumnavigation
of the Pacific Basin
in a Small Sailing Ship


      

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lv-ab: Peggy Hall Speaks on cleaning the sides of Holding Tank

From: Ed Kelly (no email)
Date: Sat Aug 17 2002 - 17:39:50 EDT

  • Next message: Keith: "[Fwd: [Fwd: lv-ab: Holding Tank Problems - Build up]]"

    Keith forwarded your question to me, I sent a reply to him to be posted
    on the list. Here 'tis:

    The simple solution would be a tank level monitor. However, a strong
    solution of low suds detergent (Wisk is good) and water will take care
    of the problem. Waste contains animal fats that can build up on the tank
    walls and stain the plastic. Detergent emulsifies fats...so this will
    clean out the tank, but any stain will remain and require at least a
    couple of gallons of bleach in a 10 gallon tank (only 10 gallons on a
    35' liveaboard? They must spend more time going back and forth to the
    pumpout than cruising!) to remove:

    Fill the tank about 2/3 full with it, then go out and spend a couple of
    hours being rocked and rolled by wave and wake (if it were a planing
    hull boat, I'd say go fast and zig zag a lot) so that the solution can
    really slosh around in the tank. Let it stay in the tank for at least 24
    hours...longer is better. Pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out...then
    re-treat with K.O. or Odorlos, whatever he's using.

    As I said, it would be just as easy to install a tank level monitor. I
    recommend the Snake River AcuGage...the sender goes on the outside of
    the tank, so it never comes in contact with the contents. Best system on
    the planet IMO. Check it out on their website at
    http://www.snake-river.org.

    That's where my previous reply ends. To add a little more...

    You CAN use bleach to remove the last of the stain, but it should not
    remain in the tank more than about 4-6 hours and MUST be VERY thoroughly
    flushed out. Do it only if you still can't see the level in the tank
    after the detergent cleaning.

    Peggie Hall

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  • Next message: Keith: "[Fwd: [Fwd: lv-ab: Holding Tank Problems - Build up]]"



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