Aluminum holding

[fishsail18]

I did see in the manual that it will pump up to a 5’ anti siphon valve so I should be ok at 4’

[peghall]

As fish said, it can easily lift to 4', so it'll work...but if your SeaEra is the sea water version, it can't have a flush panel that offers a "dry flush" function, which means every time you flush it you're gonna have a 4' section of hose full of water when you take your finger off the flush button. And unless you replace the joker valve in the toilet discharge fitting every couple of months, that water will seep back into the bowl. So IMO, you'll be a lot happier if the toilet discharge line doesn't have to rise that high.



--Peggie

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by peghall

Boatpoker is right...aluminum is not recommended for sewage holding. It was the material of choice in the '80s because it was the least expensive material, but by the early '90s it had become apparent that while metal is suitable for water and fuel holding, urine is so corrosive that it can turn any metal--even 316 SS--into a colander in less than 10 years. Thickwalled polyethylene is the the recommended material for holding tanks. Rotomolded tanks are the most common.


If you need a holding tank, Ronco Plastics Ronco Plastics marine Tanks (no relation to the VegoMatic Ronco) is your best source. They make TOP quality thick-walled water and waste tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes and sizes, over 100 of which are non-rectangular, and they install fittings in the sizes and locations specified by the customer when they make the tank. They've been the OEM supplier to most of the "high end" boat builders for decades.



--Peggie

Absolutely correct. Ronco and others make polyethylene tanks for water and sewage. Use only the thick walled sewage (black water) tanks, minimum 3/8 inch thick. Their on line site lists many standard tanks. Call for a further list of screwy shaped tanks if you need a special.

[clockwork orange]

If you can find a polyethelene tank that fits your space that is certainly the easy button but many older boats just don't have a good space for a worthwhile size tank and that is where building your own composite tank comes into play. While companies like Ronco do have a good selection of non rectangular shapes only a custom tank can maximize the volume and they are every bit as suitable as plastic and will last just as long if carefully built. A plywood/epoxy/glass tank should not be any heavier than a thick walled plastic tank.


Steve.

[fishsail18]

Peggie, Good.point, also when I have to work on the head or motor I will have a long hose full of water to deal with.

[HopCar]

Originally Posted by fishsail18

Hey Peggie, I have the Raritan seaera electric head I’m wondering if the head can pump up about 4’ to the top of the holding tank? I would like to mount the tank vertical in the corner of the lazarette. Do you think this will work? Thanks very much.

If at all possible, sewage should flow down hill all the way from toilet to tank.
Up hill runs always seem to cause more problems in the long run. Four feet of dirty water puts a lot of pressure on the joker valve.