T&T: holding tank size

[Keith]

Man, I spent a lot of time composing an answer, and the computer crashed on 
me! Hopefully this one will get out.

Best material is HDPE. IMHO (and Peggie Hall's), Ronco makes the best tanks. 
You can find them at: http://www.ronco-plastics.com/ Very thick tanks, good 
prices, great folks to work with. You want the biggest holding tank you can 
possibly fit in the area... for my 1986 Krogen 42, hull #99 this was a Ronco 
B127, 30"x16.5"x16", 32 gal. Cap. There's no need for a Y valve... just put 
two outlet fittings in the top of the tank. One to the deck fitting for 
pumpouts, and the other to the overboard discharge. I highly recommend a 
Sealand T-series diaphragm pump. All of the fittings should go through the 
top of the tank if possible. I also had them add an inspection plate in case 
I ever needed to access the inside of the tank. Thank goodness I've never 
had to use it! Double clamp all the hoses.

The more ventilation you can get, the better. A couple of 1" or 2" vent 
lines going to either side of the boat are wonderful, a single 2" is great, 
a single 1" is OK. Any of these are much better than what you find in most 
boats these days. No charcoal or carbon filters, just run the vents through 
mushroom through-hulls on the side of the boat.

For hose, use Trident's Sani Shield hose... it's the best available these 
days, since the Aussies quit selling their stuff. 
http://www.tridentmarine.com/stage/sanitation.htm


Keith
_____
Law of the Result: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't 
work, it will.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "badornato" <adornato@gmail.com>



>I am taking out a rusty microphor marine sanitation system from under
> the bed in the fore stateroom and am planning to replace it with a
> plain old holding tank and Y valve for simplicity's sake.
>
> what is the best material for a holding tank?
>
> and although this may bring up some personal questions about our
> individual effluent volumes, what is a reasonable or optimal size for
> a holding tank for usually two persons and occasional parties of 6-8
> people?
>
> the boat is a krogen 42..