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18-10-2015, 12:17
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Hailey, ID
Boat: Gulf 32
Posts: 713
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How big is my holding tank?
Tried to search the forums but didn't find anything, although I might have just missed it.
On new to use boat there is a holding tank under the v-berth... I think the tank itself is plastic encased in fiberglass but not sure (I'm not at the boat currently):
Regardless, the various listings / surveys etc all list the tank size differently (range from 6 gallons to 8 gallons to 15 gallons)... what's a safe (you know, none disgusting) way to figure out how big this tank is?
Thanks in advance,
Bass
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18-10-2015, 12:21
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 50
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Empty the tank, clean it out ... then start filling it with known gallons of water ... that should get you pretty close ...
Best regards,
Mike
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18-10-2015, 12:27
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Hailey, ID
Boat: Gulf 32
Posts: 713
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
So forgive my ignorance as I'm new to the holding tank thing, start filling it until "what"... ie what am I waiting for to happen so I know it's full... does something nasty start oozing out of the deck pumpout fitting, or how do I know it's full (no gauge or light on it)?
-- Bass
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbuckner
Empty the tank, clean it out ... then start filling it with known gallons of water ... that should get you pretty close ...
Best regards,
Mike
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18-10-2015, 12:29
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Southern California
Boat: Catalina 320
Posts: 1,392
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Is that little box the tank ? measure the outside dimensions, 1 gallon water equals 231 cubic inches.
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18-10-2015, 12:36
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: england east coast
Posts: 65
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Measure dimensions, google tank size calculator ,you can put in dimensions in and get gallons/litres of tank.
Sent from my HTC One S using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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18-10-2015, 12:40
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 50
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Use thet ank level gauge on your boat.
Mike
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18-10-2015, 12:53
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Hailey, ID
Boat: Gulf 32
Posts: 713
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Don't have one. -- Bass
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbuckner
Use thet ank level gauge on your boat.
Mike
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18-10-2015, 12:59
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC (Maple Bay Marina)
Posts: 9,764
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
I know high shcool math was always a bummer for some, but if you know the dimensions you can figure out the capacity.
How holding tanks work (scroll down and look at the diagrams):
Selecting a Sanitation System | West Marine
Good luck.
__________________
Stu Jackson
Catalina 34 #224 (1986) C34IA Secretary
Mill Bay, BC, SR/FK, M25, Rocna 10 (22#) (NZ model)
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18-10-2015, 15:10
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#9
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Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea
Boat: FP Belize Maestro 43 and OPBs
Posts: 12,891
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Calif.Ted
Is that little box the tank ? measure the outside dimensions, 1 gallon water equals 231 cubic inches.
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US or Imperial gallon?
I litre equals 1000 cubic centimeters.
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18-10-2015, 16:32
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 50
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Quote:
Originally Posted by basssears
Don't have one. -- Bass
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Since you are going to the effort of identifying the holding tank capacity, this would be a good time to install some type of level indicator to remove the tank level status question in the future.
Regards,
Mike
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18-10-2015, 17:53
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA
Boat: Searunner 40 trimaran, WILDERNESS
Posts: 3,175
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
So many hoses, it's hard to tell. First, empty the tank, any way you can. Then, locate where the vent hose exits outside. Then, fill the tank with measured volumes of water through the deck pump out fitting. Don't have one? Then pour measured volumes of water into the toilet and pump it into the holding tank until the water comes out the vent hose. The volume is slightly less than what you put into it (less the volume in the vent hose). Done.
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18-10-2015, 18:31
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Southern California
Boat: Catalina 320
Posts: 1,392
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Yep, US gallons and 4 pecks in a bushel still too.
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18-10-2015, 19:12
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: So Cal
Boat: Catalina 387
Posts: 967
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
Quote:
Originally Posted by basssears
So forgive my ignorance as I'm new to the holding tank thing, start filling it until "what"... ie what am I waiting for to happen so I know it's full... does something nasty start oozing out of the deck pumpout fitting, or how do I know it's full (no gauge or light on it)?
-- Bass
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Something nasty will come out the vent if it's lower than the pumpout. The pumpout if the vent is higher and the pumpout is open.
I'd use some basic geometry and math.
If the tank shape is so irregular, you can fill it from the pumpout (with water) and see the level rise.
But so what? Let say you figure out that you have a 40 liter tank. (~10.5 US gallons, 8.8 imperial gallons, something like 1.2 US bushels) But now what? Do you know the volume used every time you/guests take a leak? Flush? Etc? Sure it's nice to be able to tell folks you have a 4.54 peck holding tank, but it doesn't tell you when it's gonna be full. But if you know that you pee a cup each time, and use 2 cups of flush water that 40 liter tank will be full in 55 pees. I propose a new unit of volume named a "Pee" that's equal to 3 cups.
Either:
1. Live with it for awhile, you'll figure it out.
2. Put in a gauge.
(units chosen to maximize humor value. Sorry, couldn't help it)
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18-10-2015, 19:25
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#14
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,579
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
I'd be more concerned about what uric acid has done to those cheap domestic gate valves than the size of my tank.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
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19-10-2015, 08:45
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA
Boat: Searunner 40 trimaran, WILDERNESS
Posts: 3,175
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Re: How big is my holding tank?
boatpoker, I only saw a plastic diverter valve in the photo, which is unlike a cheap domestic gate valve. Did I miss something? Otherwise, there appears to be no issue with basssears' holding tank.
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