Jeff Morris wrote:
This is a common technique, practiced by many cruisers. When I lived aboard, I always
kept a gallon of vinegar in the head so I wouldn't forget.

Peggy has endorsed this in the past (this from last March):

Vinegar ONLY dissolves mineral buildup, it won't do much for dirt and
grime and won't dissolve soap scum, grease or hair.

I did say that...but I've never said that vinegar will dissolve sludge
in holding tanks--which is what he's asking.

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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Dick wrote:
with salt and whatever once. After that we used vinegar in the pipes and
holding tank at least twice a year. No problems since, so I guess it works.

I can't imagine that only using it twice a year would accomplish
anything. To prevent mineral build up in the head discharge hose, I
recommend a cupful down the head once a week.

We
also use it in the sink drains. I use it to clean the carbon off stove parts
and a lot of other things. It seems to be a good solvent.


Be very careful what you mix with vinegar... some chemical
combinations--such as bleach and vinegar--can be even more lethat than
bleach and ammonia. And never let it stand where rubber parts can soak
in it...'cuz a soaking in vinegar will swell and distort 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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Dick wrote:
with salt and whatever once. After that we used vinegar in the pipes and
holding tank at least twice a year. No problems since, so I guess it works.

I can't imagine that only using it twice a year would accomplish
anything. To prevent mineral build up in the head discharge hose, I
recommend a cupful down the head once a week.

We
also use it in the sink drains. I use it to clean the carbon off stove parts
and a lot of other things. It seems to be a good solvent.


Be very careful what you mix with vinegar... some chemical
combinations--such as bleach and vinegar--can be even more lethat than
bleach and ammonia. And never let it stand where rubber parts can soak
in it...'cuz a soaking in vinegar will swell and distort 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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Messing In Boats wrote:
I just asked her that very question, as I have a holding tank with lots
of "residue" in it that prohibits an accurate reading of its level. She
suggests putting some Wisk detergent in it to slosh around and clean up
the greasy residue so that i can see how much stuff i have in it.

Detergent will emulsify any buildup of animal fats (present in
waste)...which makes it effective when it comes to unclogging holding
tank sensor sending units...but to my knowledge, it won't do a thing
when it comes to dissolving sludge in holding tanks.

As with most problems, the best cure is prevention...as described in my
first reply to this thread.

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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Messing In Boats wrote:
I just asked her that very question, as I have a holding tank with lots
of "residue" in it that prohibits an accurate reading of its level. She
suggests putting some Wisk detergent in it to slosh around and clean up
the greasy residue so that i can see how much stuff i have in it.

Detergent will emulsify any buildup of animal fats (present in
waste)...which makes it effective when it comes to unclogging holding
tank sensor sending units...but to my knowledge, it won't do a thing
when it comes to dissolving sludge in holding tanks.

As with most problems, the best cure is prevention...as described in my
first reply to this thread.

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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Peggy,

Will vinegar cause corrosion problems in aluminum holding tanks? Seems like
it might, but I don't know.

Steve H.

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...
canalman wrote:
It has been suggested by someone who *knows*, that vinegar is a good
medium for clearing out persistant residue in a narrowboat toilet
holding tank.

I don't think so. Vinegar will dissolve sea water mineral buildup in
hoses, but I've never heard that it will dissolve sludge in holding tanks.

Holding tanks should be at least nominally flushed out with a couple of
gallons of clean water down the pumpout fitting (because that sends it
directly into the bottom of the tank to stir up the sludge) after every
pumpout...and thoroughly flushed by doing that several times--until
what's being pumped out is only clean water--several times a year.

To my knowledge, there is no other way.


It has been suggested that it wouldn't be a good idea in plastic tanks
as vinegar might harden the seams. Do we have any feed-back before we
try it?

I've never heard that before either. It appears to me that all the
advice you've been getting is bad.

--
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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Peggy,

Will vinegar cause corrosion problems in aluminum holding tanks? Seems like
it might, but I don't know.

Steve H.

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...
canalman wrote:
It has been suggested by someone who *knows*, that vinegar is a good
medium for clearing out persistant residue in a narrowboat toilet
holding tank.

I don't think so. Vinegar will dissolve sea water mineral buildup in
hoses, but I've never heard that it will dissolve sludge in holding tanks.

Holding tanks should be at least nominally flushed out with a couple of
gallons of clean water down the pumpout fitting (because that sends it
directly into the bottom of the tank to stir up the sludge) after every
pumpout...and thoroughly flushed by doing that several times--until
what's being pumped out is only clean water--several times a year.

To my knowledge, there is no other way.


It has been suggested that it wouldn't be a good idea in plastic tanks
as vinegar might harden the seams. Do we have any feed-back before we
try it?

I've never heard that before either. It appears to me that all the
advice you've been getting is bad.

--
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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Steve wrote:
Peggy,

Will vinegar cause corrosion problems in aluminum holding tanks? Seems like
it might, but I don't know.

Nope. In fact, it's even recommended to reduce mineral buildup on the
electrodes in a Lectra/San. However, it has no benefit in a holding tank
that I'm aware of.


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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Steve wrote:
Peggy,

Will vinegar cause corrosion problems in aluminum holding tanks? Seems like
it might, but I don't know.

Nope. In fact, it's even recommended to reduce mineral buildup on the
electrodes in a Lectra/San. However, it has no benefit in a holding tank
that I'm aware of.


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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

Not anywhere the corrossion problem that urine will present!

"Steve" wrote in message
...
Peggy,

Will vinegar cause corrosion problems in aluminum holding tanks? Seems
like
it might, but I don't know.

Steve H.

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...
canalman wrote:
It has been suggested by someone who *knows*, that vinegar is a good
medium for clearing out persistant residue in a narrowboat toilet
holding tank.

I don't think so. Vinegar will dissolve sea water mineral buildup in
hoses, but I've never heard that it will dissolve sludge in holding
tanks.

Holding tanks should be at least nominally flushed out with a couple of
gallons of clean water down the pumpout fitting (because that sends it
directly into the bottom of the tank to stir up the sludge) after every
pumpout...and thoroughly flushed by doing that several times--until
what's being pumped out is only clean water--several times a year.

To my knowledge, there is no other way.


It has been suggested that it wouldn't be a good idea in plastic tanks
as vinegar might harden the seams. Do we have any feed-back before we
try it?

I've never heard that before either. It appears to me that all the
advice you've been getting is bad.

--
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/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html