Waste Tank Cleaning

[feeez]

I searched our forum for posts on this but did not come across any.

What are some methods for cleaning the waste tank inside, either home remedies or purchased product.

Thanks
Fraser

[Viper]

Fraser, is this something you need to happen right away or over a little time? Noflex Digester works pretty good at breaking down solids, cleaning hoses, senders, etc. if added to the tank on a regular basis. Not a natural product but does the job. I'm currently looking into changing over to an enzyme based product that does the same but with no harsh chemicals. The enzymes digest all the nasties.
http://www.marinesan.com/Noflex-digestor-p/noflex.htm

[feeez]

Time is not the issue, we don't have any smell or clogging issues but toward the end of last season the tank walls were getting a bit coated and the Tank Watch sensors were acting up.. I was told that they were probably getting coated the same as the walls. I will give this product a try.

Thanks

[Lyndon670]

Fraser,

I put 3 bags of cubed ice in through the pump out port before I left Toronto with a box of Oxyclean. The I put about 20 liters of water in. By the time we got to Whitby it was pretty clean. When the ice melted we pump out.

I now use Noflex all the time. A spoonful in each head before I close it up on Sunday night and then another spoonful in each head when I return on Fridays.

[CaptBob]

In my winter Hold n treat project, I had to do a little cleaning on the tank for the new sensors to read properly (pretty cool external stick on sensors) I first pumped a bunch of water through, then did the ice cube and oxyclean process as above. (but dumped them through the inspection plate on top of the tank) Pumped all that out and since I'm a bit anal about the cleanliness (now that there's funny, I don't care who you are) I went ahead and opened the plate again and reached in with a hose and jet nozzle to finish the job off.

Any work/maintenance on the black water system is not pleasant, but having one that works, and works properly is a blessing. There are too many that are unpleasant, and no real reason to be that way.

[Viper]

FYI, the ice cube idea has been around for a long time and works great. The only thing I would caution is that I've replaced a few Vacuflush sensors because of it. Can't say that it was because of too much ice or whatever the reason, I just know that ice was put in and floats stopped working afterwards. The faults were broken float stems. Customers were pretty vague about the conditions so I can't offer how much ice is unsafe or conditions while underway but thought I would put it out there as a precaution. I can say that it doesn't take too much ice or a full tank of water to do the job.

[RGrew176]

A friend of mine once dumped some Dawn detergent followed by hot water into his holding tank. That particular day was windy so he headed out into Lake Erie's 6 to 8 footers and let it slosh around inside the tank. When he got back he pumped out and his tank was squeaky clean. Cost him a couple bucks for the Dawn and another couple bucks for the pumpout.

[deenbob1]

I've heard this from an old captain and tried it myself. Seems to work well. This old captain would flush and clean his tank like above but would put liquid fabric softener in his tank, refill the tank with water to coat the sides with softener solution. He would then empty his tank. The softener would coat the inside of the tank making it slick and preventing build up inside. He would also put laundry soap in his tank for normal operation. This also help keep the tank clean and also broke down the waste. He said he's been doing this for 30 years and never had a waste tank problem.

[SplashyLady]

All the above are probably pretty good cleaning techniques. The one to be careful with is the ice cube method - as stated, it may damage the level sender if it is one of the swinging arm type units. Wema and ultrasonic senders would not be affected, but the senders with floats that swing up and down (Teleflex) can be pretty delicate and the ice cubes may bend or otherwise damage them.

[mjk1040]

Read some where about using Borax, it cleans and deodorizes.
Mike