When to pump out?

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by robbievardon

What if anything do you put in your loo after pump out? Apart from more of the same!!!

Coming from the RV world myself where we all used chemicals, there are two basic types, one type is I believe formaldehyde based with the idea of killing any bacteria, essentially sterilizing the contents.
The second type adds either bacteria or enzymes or something with the idea of using them to break down the contents and keep it from smelling.
You have to pick one, you can't go back and forth as the formaldehyde one will kill the other one.
I had better luck with the non formaldehyde one myself, but have not used it much on the boat.
When I changed the tank, I went with a short uphill 1" vent and think fresh air seems to help more than anything.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Coming from the RV world myself where we all used chemicals, there are two basic types, one type is I believe formaldehyde based with the idea of killing any bacteria, essentially sterilizing the contents.
The second type adds either bacteria or enzymes or something with the idea of using them to break down the contents and keep it from smelling.
You have to pick one, you can't go back and forth as the formaldehyde one will kill the other one.
I had better luck with the non formaldehyde one myself, but have not used it much on the boat.
When I changed the tank, I went with a short uphill 1" vent and think fresh air seems to help more than anything.

And Peggie's wonderful book explains all of this.

[nautical62]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

On the first basic keel boat course I ever took I had a captain who’s favourite saying was: “Never pass up a beer store, and NEVER pass up a pump out!” Now that I think of it, the two are probably related .

Scorpius99eh …

+1

When I was cruising the Great Lakes, I pumped out anytime I was taking on fuel, even if the tank was less than half full. Better to do it when convenient than have to alter your plans later because your tank is near full in my opinion.

[SailtheWind]

It depends,
When we are in Florida, our marina has a free (included in slip cost) pump out boat that come to our slip up to twice a week May to September and once a week the rest of the year. Based upon our boat usage and number of visitor we usually are on a once a week more for convenience that necessity
However on the Lake Erie we have to go to our marina pump out and pay $5 so we do it at the half way point since we have less visitors.

[peghall]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

And Peggie's wonderful book explains all of this.

I can't pass up this opportunity to post a link to it!
.Amazon has it in both hard copy and kindle
http://www.amazon.com/New-Get-Rid-Bo...dp/1892399784/

[Thuid]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

And Peggie's wonderful book explains all of this.

+1 for Peggie's book.

[thomm225]

I have one of those Thetford Heads (porti potty that was pumbed in)

The holding tank holds about 6 gallons.

I remove it and pour out the "contents" at a nearby facility every few months or when the indicator goes green (or if it starts to smell after too many months)