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Home made holding tank?
I know, there are lots of holding tank, made of good rotomolded
polyethylene... But if space is small and irregular, the standard tanks may not fit... epoxy-fiberglass tanks do works or create odor problems? Can I build a tank from thick polyethylene sheet, hot air welded? Any experience? Paolo Zini |
Paolo Zini wrote:
I know, there are lots of holding tank, made of good rotomolded polyethylene... But if space is small and irregular, the standard tanks may not fit... epoxy-fiberglass tanks do works or create odor problems? SFWIW, I custom built an epoxy/knitted glass holding to fit an odd ball shape. Had some old fashioned coal tar epoxy tank resin which was used to coat inside of tank. Probably wasn't necessary, but had to use the coal tar resin for somethingG. HTH Lew |
Paolo Zini wrote:
I know, there are lots of holding tank, made of good rotomolded polyethylene... But if space is small and irregular, the standard tanks may not fit... I'll bet you can find one here that will: http://www.ronco-plastics.com They make top quality tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes sizes to choose from, including over 100 non-rectangular. epoxy-fiberglass tanks do works or create odor problems? That depends on how well made they are. But even well made, they're much heavier than poly tanks...and if you go that route, you'll also have to install a gauge. 'Cuz federal law requires that all waste tanks have some means of determining when they're at least 3/4 full, to prevent overflow of raw sewage out the vent that pollute. If the tank wall is translucent, and easily accessible for visual inspection, that's enough to meet the requirement. But if it's either made of a material that doesn't allow you to see the level in side, or in a location that makes visual inspection impossible--or so inconvenient as to be impossible--a gauge of some kind is required. Can I build a tank from thick polyethylene sheet, hot air welded? Any experience? Easier said than done. Hot air welding won't work...it has to be heat welded, blending new poly with melted edges of the tank walls. The integrity of the tank is dependent upon the integrity of the welds...and it takes a bit of skill/practice to know how much new material and how much edge of tank wall to melt to run together so that they become a single mass that actually actually becomes part of the walls and reinforces the corners, without bubbles or weak spots. Walls should be at least 3/8" thick, btw...to support the weight of the contents without bulging or flexing, which would put additional stress on the welds. IMO, you're MUCH better off buying rotomolded tanks for water and waste than making them. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
Paolo Zini wrote:
I'll bet you can find one here that will: http://www.ronco-plastics.com They make top quality tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes sizes to choose from, including over 100 non-rectangular. I aven't checked with plans, but I must admit: they have it for shure... But... ONE tank ordered from california to Italy? Ooops...:) It looks a bit complex and expensive... Maybe not, if you know anyone who travels to the US (today people hop all over the world as easily as going to the next town). When I still owned my company, we sold tanks to people as far away as New ZeaLand and Brazil...shipped from the mfr to a US a address to be taken home as a checked luggage on their flight. But if that won't work for you, there's a company in the UK--Tek-Tank http://www.tek-tanks.com/Pages/frameset.htm --that also makes excellent tanks and has a good number of different shapes/sizes. If THAT won't work for you, I'm active on several websites that are also populated by European boat owners...I'll try to find some European tank mfrs for you. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 07:48:51 GMT Peggie Hall
) wrote: If THAT won't work for you, I'm active on several websites that are also populated by European boat owners...I'll try to find some European tank mfrs for you. Here is one in the Netherlands: http://www.freetechnics.nl/index.php...e=TNK&ArtCode= -- Richard |
Tank you for fast replay...
You wake up early in the morning... :-) Maybe not, if you know anyone who travels to the US (today people hop all over the world as easily as going to the next town). I have friends that cross the pond, but I can ask that type of help for small items... :-) I am planning the work, not under pressure. I can take my time. But if that won't work for you, there's a company in the UK--Tek-Tank http://www.tek-tanks.com/Pages/frameset.htm --that also makes excellent tanks and has a good number of different shapes/sizes. Seen. They do make custom built tanks, made from hot gas welded polyethylene... If THAT won't work for you, I'm active on several websites that are also populated by European boat owners...I'll try to find some European tank mfrs for you. I can made the search work... But I tink that we can make a better use of your competence... Do you think that the clorine dispenser used in Raritan Purasan (or equivalent device) can be added to the holding tank? the set would be: electric macerator, tank, clorine dispenser... Just one idea... Paolo |
paolo
You can Also try to find a local plastics manufacturer in your area to build you a custom tank. I was pleasantly surprised by the price (cheaper than ordering and shipping from West Marine) and I was balt to specify the material shape and location of the fittings. P.S. This was a replacement for a tank that had failed and I happily went with Peggie'e reccomendation of 3/8 thickness on the premise that I did not want to deal with another failure anytime soon. Cheers matt |
Paolo Zini wrote: Tank you for fast replay... You wake up early in the morning... :-) I sometimes stay up late. :) Do you think that the clorine dispenser used in Raritan Purasan (or equivalent device) can be added to the holding tank? the set would be: electric macerator, tank, clorine dispenser... Just one idea... Not a good one, I'm afraid...for several reasons. The PuraSan dispenser is designed to deliver enough cholorine to treat each flush of the toilet--one gallon or less. The toilet flush water washes through it, carrying away just enough from the solid block of it...then the PuraSan mixes and macerates that flush for 2 minutes. A whole tankful at a time going through the cartridge would wash away most of the entire block, but wouldn't be in contact with the waste long enough to "sanitize" it. Nor would adding chlorine--or any other chemical--to a tank meet any legal requirement in the world for "treated" waste. Even waste that's been treated by a legal device before going into a tank is no longer considered treated once it does. So nothing is accomplished by adding a chemical to the waste before or during dumping the tank. If the discharge of treated waste is legal in your waters, consider installing a PuraSan or Lectra/San instead of a tank. More expensive than a tank, but beats the socks off carrying waste aboard and all the hassle of maintaining a tank if you don't have to. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
Thanks, Richard...I'll add it to my list of mfrs.
Peggie Richard van den Berg wrote: On Wed, 22 Jun 2005 07:48:51 GMT Peggie Hall ) wrote: If THAT won't work for you, I'm active on several websites that are also populated by European boat owners...I'll try to find some European tank mfrs for you. Here is one in the Netherlands: http://www.freetechnics.nl/index.php...e=TNK&ArtCode= -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detai...=400&group=327 |
Not a good one, I'm afraid...for several reasons.
Thecnical obiection noted.... ..... Nor would adding chlorine--or any other chemical--to a tank meet any legal requirement in the world for "treated" waste. Even waste that's been treated by a legal device before going into a tank is no longer considered treated once it does. So nothing is accomplished by adding a chemical to the waste before or during dumping the tank. You look at the idea from a legal point o view... My target wasn't to comply with any law, but is one attempt to find a radical solution to odor control. In your articles you talk about a sanitizing device that works both as type 1 and type 3... Sometingh like that... But custom made to fit in the available spaces... The related laws are changing here... Don't know how it will be in the near future... If the discharge of treated waste is legal in your waters, consider installing a PuraSan or Lectra/San instead of a tank. More expensive than a tank, but beats the socks off carrying waste aboard and all the hassle of maintaining a tank if you don't have to. I like it, but, disregarding the cost, it can't fit... I am building a small cat... Anyway Your comments have helped a lot to clarify the problems. I will try to find one standard tank, if unable to find a suitable one (one that make efficient use of available space), i can have one custom made here in Italy or from one of the suggested european manufacturers... Tank you! Paolo |
Paolo Zini wrote:
You look at the idea from a legal point o view... My target wasn't to comply with any law, but is one attempt to find a radical solution to odor control. It wouldn't work. Oxygen is the key to eliminating odor. Odor can only be generated in anaerobic conditions. In your articles you talk about a sanitizing device that works both as type 1 and type 3... I've been trying to get that d'd article off the 'net for 3 years! Most sites have complied willingly, but a few have just ignored all requests. I haven't revised it since 1996...much of the information in it has become obsolete since then (which is why I want it off the net!)--including the reference to the device you mention, the SeaLand SanX system, which was discontinued a couple of years ago. However, it didn't work quite the way you seem to think it does...the chemical (TDX, which is a NASTY formaldehyde based witches brew) doesn't eliminate odor, but actually adds a horrible chemical odor to the waste stench (I owned a boat that had this system, btw). The SanX tank holds 9 gallons...a quart of TDX is injected...the mixer and macerator run for 20 minutes...then a relay kicks on the separate discharge pump to empty the tank....and the discharge STINKS...if you dumped the tank in the slip or in an anchorage, you'd likely be shot. Sometingh like that... But custom made to fit in the available spaces... You're over complicating it, and it won't accomplish what you want to accomplish either. Venting the tank to allow plenty of fresh air flow through it, or aerating the contents, will completely eliminate odor out the vent from the tank without chemicals...and a tank is legal everwhere. If the discharge of treated waste is legal in your waters, consider installing a PuraSan or Lectra/San instead of a tank. More expensive than a tank, but beats the socks off carrying waste aboard and all the hassle of maintaining a tank if you don't have to. I like it, but, disregarding the cost, it can't fit... I am building a small cat... The Lectra/San and PuraSan are smaller than any tank big enough to hold more than half a dozen flushes. Check the dimension he http://www.raritaneng.com/products/w...ent/index.html I will try to find one standard tank, if unable to find a suitable one (one that make efficient use of available space), i can have one custom made here in Italy or from one of the suggested european manufacturers... Get back to me before you order or build anything...we need to talk about fittings sizes and locations. And we should prob'ly discuss which toilet and how to plumb it too. Meanwhile (at the risk of being perceived as trying to sell you something), you might consider checking out the link in my signature...the information in it IS current. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
I've been trying to get that d'd article off the 'net for 3 years! Most sites have complied willingly, but a few have just ignored all requests. I haven't revised it since 1996...much of the information in it has become obsolete since then (which is why I want it off the net!)--including the reference to the device you mention, the SeaLand SanX system, which was discontinued a couple of years ago. Ah! I see the reason why i can't find it anymore! :-) .... The Lectra/San and PuraSan are smaller than any tank big enough to hold more than half a dozen flushes. Check the dimension he http://www.raritaneng.com/products/w...ent/index.html mmmhhh... maybe, modifying the forward port bert... The exaust from purasan can be temporary dumped into one holding tank? there are a lot protected "absolutely no discarge" areas here, mediterranean sea is almost a close sea... The double function: holding tank and sanitation device was, in my understanding, the interesting feature of sealand SanX... Get back to me before you order or build anything...we need to talk about fittings sizes and locations. And we should prob'ly discuss which toilet and how to plumb it too. The idea was the Blakes Lavac or alternatively one electric model... The electric have a simpler, more linear plumbing. About the plumbing it can't be a problem: any usable tank position is less than 3' away, and also the sea is there, mi hulls are narrow... If requested i can use pure gold and probably I will remain into the buget... Ok, I am kidding, but you get the idea.... Meanwhile (at the risk of being perceived as trying to sell you something), you might consider checking out the link in my signature...the information in it IS current. I will explore it accurately... Paolo |
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