Homemade waste water tank
 

I am considering making my own black water tank. Blackwater being toilet
waste.

I would like to place the tank under the sole between the centre stringers.
The lateral stringers are over 1' off center and 15" deep, giving me a tank
of just over 2'W X 15"H. Not sure how long yet but I want a finished size of
around 45 gallons. I would leave space under the tank to allow any water to
migrate to the back of the boat and be discharged. This would also mean the
tank would only touch the hull along the stringers.

My understanding is that I can make such a tank using fiberglass cloth and
epoxy. I would use marine plywood for the form and glass the entire inside
of the box and lid. How would I achieve a good seal on the lid? The plumbing
I think I can figure out: discharge, venting etc. Does any one have any
cautions, suggestions? I sure wouldn't want this thing cracking and leaking.
I should be able to place a toilet right over the tank to eliminate pumping
it from toilet to tank. Good idea?

Thanks

Homemade waste water tank
 

On Sat, 7 Jan 2006 21:05:31 -0500, "Steve Lortie"
wrote:

I am considering making my own black water tank. Blackwater being toilet
waste.

==========

It will be much cheaper and easier to buy one ready made.

These guys have hundreds of different sizes and shapes:

http://www.ronco-plastics.com/HomeLayers.htm

Homemade waste water tank
 

Steve Lortie wrote:
I am considering making my own black water tank. Blackwater being
toilet waste.

Strongly consider Wayne's suggestion. Ronco Plastics (no relation to the
VegoMatic Ronco btw) makes TOP quality poly tanks for a very reasonable
price.

I would like to place the tank under the sole between the centre
stringers.

That's a good location for a water tank, but not for waste holding tank.

What size is your boat? Sail or power? Where's the head--forward or aft?
Also, unless you're restoring a houseboat, 45 gals is a LOT of waste
to store aboard...a lot of weight--close to 400 lbs including the weight
of the tank. Why do you think you need a waste tank that big?

I should be able to place a
toilet right over the tank to eliminate pumping it from toilet to
tank. Good idea?

Maybe...maybe not. What kind of toilet do you have in mind?

--
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://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

Homemade waste water tank
 

Hi Peggy,

I have shopped around here in Ottawa Canada and the prices for a custom tank
don't seem all that reasonable to me. I am thinking custom because of price
but also so I don't have to modify the sole height to accomadate a standard
size tank. A tank height of 15" doesn't seem too standard. Headroom is
around 6' which isn't a problem for me but if I cut the ceiling height down
any, some might find it a little claustrophobic.

I'm curious why the location is not good for waste tank. Hope the answer
isn't too obvious.

You may recall that I am redoing a houseboat. 40 footer. I ended up
replacing stringers so the boat is pretty bare right now. The head is not in
yet so I am flexible where it goes but right now my plans put it off centre
towards aft. The 45 gallons comes from discussions at the marina. If you
don't want to be docking/pumping more than once a week, that is the size to
use.
Also, even though I may not end up living on the hook as much as I think, I
am trying to redo the boat to make it appealing to a buyer should I end up
selling it. Is 45 gal still too big with this as a consideration? From you
experience, what size of tank are you thinking?

I am considering of starting off with a manual toilet such as "ITT Par
Manual Marine Toilet":
http://www.valleymarine.ca/Main.asp?...PageNumber= 1




"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
. net...
Steve Lortie wrote:
I am considering making my own black water tank. Blackwater being
toilet waste.

Strongly consider Wayne's suggestion. Ronco Plastics (no relation to the
VegoMatic Ronco btw) makes TOP quality poly tanks for a very reasonable
price.

I would like to place the tank under the sole between the centre
stringers.

That's a good location for a water tank, but not for waste holding tank.

What size is your boat? Sail or power? Where's the head--forward or aft?
Also, unless you're restoring a houseboat, 45 gals is a LOT of waste
to store aboard...a lot of weight--close to 400 lbs including the weight
of the tank. Why do you think you need a waste tank that big?

I should be able to place a
toilet right over the tank to eliminate pumping it from toilet to
tank. Good idea?

Maybe...maybe not. What kind of toilet do you have in mind?

--
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://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

Homemade waste water tank
 

On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 09:15:15 -0500, "Steve Lortie"
wrote:

Hi Peggy,

I have shopped around here in Ottawa Canada

Are you expecting to get out of the river and the Rideau much? Or to
anywhere that isn't a no-discharge zone? Peggie may be thinking in
terms of warmer, saltier locales. 45 gallons doesn't seem like a bad
choice to me if you can deal with the weight and space issues.

I suggest you look farther afield for a tank that will fit, and/or
consider a location other than the bilge. There should be lots of
places possible on a 40 foot houseboat. Remember the tank doesn't have
to be located below the toilet.

Ryk

Homemade waste water tank
 

Steve Lortie wrote:

I have shopped around here in Ottawa Canada and the prices for a
custom tank don't seem all that reasonable to me. I am thinking
custom because of price but also so I don't have to modify the sole
height to accomadate a standard size tank.

I don't think you'll have to resort to a custom tank...Ronco has 400
shapes and sizes, including over 100 non-rectangular....I just checked
their site. They have over a dozen in the 44-48 gal range, almost all
under 15" deep. Check their site. If they don't have one you like...try
these folks: http://www.triplemplastics.net/ They make custom tanks to
your drawing and their prices are considerably lower than any other
custom tank fabricator.

You can also save a bundle on shipping--for everything you buy from the
US--if you rent an address at one of the Mailboxes etc type places in
the nearest town on our side of the border. Won't save you any
applicable duty, but you won't have to pay internation shipping rates
and those huge "customs brokerage fees" that UPS etc charges to ship
stuff into Canada. Can't do anything about the rate of exchange, though. :)

I'm curious why the location is not good for waste tank. Hope the
answer isn't too obvious.

Because a tank buried on the keel is almost impossible to vent to keep
the contents aerobic, which is what's needed to prevent odor. However,
in a houseboat, which has a fairly flat bottom, that may not be as much
of an issue as it would be in a deep keel boat. If you can vent to both
sides of the hull, using at 1" or 1.5" vent that's no longer than 3-4',
doesn't rise more than 45 degrees and is straight as an arrow, you may
be ok there.

Is 45 gal
still too big with this as a consideration? From you experience, what
size of tank are you thinking?

For a houseboat that size, 40-45 gals is about right. For a sailboat or
cruiser under 40', it would be a bit big.

I am considering of starting off with a manual toilet such as "ITT
Par Manual Marine Toilet"

A manual toilet isn't the best choice for the resale value of a
houseboat, but it's ok if that's what you want. But go with one that's
decent quality, not that one. A Raritan PH II will cost you about $100
USD more, but it'll last at least 20 years with minimal
maintenance...you'll be lucky to get 2 trouble-free years out of a
Par/Jabsco.

If you're thinking of putting the toilet directly over the tank, you
might want to consider going with an RV direct drop gravity toilet from
SeaLand. Check out the Traveler and Traveler Lite he
http://www.dometicusa.com/sanitation.php It does use pressurized flush
water from the onboard supply, but very little (and you can add water to
the bowl ahead of use, which you can only do by pouring it in with cup
to manual toilet)...how much fresh water do you plan to carry?

If you want to discuss specifics of your proposed installation in more
detail than is practical in a public discussion, you're welcome to email
me: peggie(dot)hall(at)gmail(dot)com (that's a new address, btw).
Meanwhile, you MIGHT want to check out the link my signature.


--
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://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

Homemade waste water tank
 

Ryk,

At some point I am sure I would like to venture farther afield but I somehow
doubt it will be in this boat. I would certainly like to give it a try but
the St Lawerence might even be a bit much for this boat. Don't know yet.

I suppose I will look a little harder for a tank. I was trying to stay away
from pumps and what not, but you are right. I could, using pumps, put the
tank almost anywhere.

Steve

"Ryk" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 09:15:15 -0500, "Steve Lortie"
wrote:

Hi Peggy,

I have shopped around here in Ottawa Canada

Are you expecting to get out of the river and the Rideau much? Or to
anywhere that isn't a no-discharge zone? Peggie may be thinking in
terms of warmer, saltier locales. 45 gallons doesn't seem like a bad
choice to me if you can deal with the weight and space issues.

I suggest you look farther afield for a tank that will fit, and/or
consider a location other than the bilge. There should be lots of
places possible on a 40 foot houseboat. Remember the tank doesn't have
to be located below the toilet.

Ryk

Homemade waste water tank
 

As I mentioned to Ryk, I will keep looking. Perhaps in the end it might be
cheaper to go states side. There is what used to be a Mailboxes etc, in
Ogdensburg, just over an hour from here. I think you are right, doing that
would cut the cost.

I will check out the links you mentioned plus yours of course :o), thanks.

Could I have a raincheck on emailing you directly till I have done more
research? It seems I make up my mind but then end up revisiting once I talk
to the more creative minds like some here.

I am having more grief trying coming up with on a head design/solution than
with anything else so far! I think maybe I'm just trying to get off too
cheap. The prices on some boat heads are down right ridiculous.
Thanks,
Steve

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
. com...
Steve Lortie wrote:

I have shopped around here in Ottawa Canada and the prices for a
custom tank don't seem all that reasonable to me. I am thinking
custom because of price but also so I don't have to modify the sole
height to accomadate a standard size tank.

I don't think you'll have to resort to a custom tank...Ronco has 400
shapes and sizes, including over 100 non-rectangular....I just checked
their site. They have over a dozen in the 44-48 gal range, almost all
under 15" deep. Check their site. If they don't have one you like...try
these folks: http://www.triplemplastics.net/ They make custom tanks to
your drawing and their prices are considerably lower than any other
custom tank fabricator.

You can also save a bundle on shipping--for everything you buy from the
US--if you rent an address at one of the Mailboxes etc type places in
the nearest town on our side of the border. Won't save you any
applicable duty, but you won't have to pay internation shipping rates
and those huge "customs brokerage fees" that UPS etc charges to ship
stuff into Canada. Can't do anything about the rate of exchange, though.
:)

I'm curious why the location is not good for waste tank. Hope the
answer isn't too obvious.

Because a tank buried on the keel is almost impossible to vent to keep
the contents aerobic, which is what's needed to prevent odor. However,
in a houseboat, which has a fairly flat bottom, that may not be as much
of an issue as it would be in a deep keel boat. If you can vent to both
sides of the hull, using at 1" or 1.5" vent that's no longer than 3-4',
doesn't rise more than 45 degrees and is straight as an arrow, you may
be ok there.

Is 45 gal
still too big with this as a consideration? From you experience, what
size of tank are you thinking?

For a houseboat that size, 40-45 gals is about right. For a sailboat or
cruiser under 40', it would be a bit big.

I am considering of starting off with a manual toilet such as "ITT
Par Manual Marine Toilet"

A manual toilet isn't the best choice for the resale value of a
houseboat, but it's ok if that's what you want. But go with one that's
decent quality, not that one. A Raritan PH II will cost you about $100
USD more, but it'll last at least 20 years with minimal
maintenance...you'll be lucky to get 2 trouble-free years out of a
Par/Jabsco.

If you're thinking of putting the toilet directly over the tank, you
might want to consider going with an RV direct drop gravity toilet from
SeaLand. Check out the Traveler and Traveler Lite he
http://www.dometicusa.com/sanitation.php It does use pressurized flush
water from the onboard supply, but very little (and you can add water to
the bowl ahead of use, which you can only do by pouring it in with cup
to manual toilet)...how much fresh water do you plan to carry?

If you want to discuss specifics of your proposed installation in more
detail than is practical in a public discussion, you're welcome to email
me: peggie(dot)hall(at)gmail(dot)com (that's a new address, btw).
Meanwhile, you MIGHT want to check out the link my signature.


--
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://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

Homemade waste water tank
 

Steve Lortie wrote:

Could I have a raincheck on emailing you directly till I have done more
research?

Sure...I'm glad to help any time.

--
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://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

Homemade waste water tank
 

In article ,
"Steve Lortie" wrote:

I am having more grief trying coming up with on a head design/solution than
with anything else so far!


They ARE head-aches ;-)

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/