build up in holding tank

[seapony2]

One of my holding tanks seams to have build up or solids caked to the bottom.
Any suggestions on how best to break it up?

[sailingdog]

IIRC, Peggie Hall, who is the doyenne of the marine sanitation world, recommends using liquid fabric softener to do that. Also, there are some enzyme/bio-active cleaners that might help too. The stuff you buy at the hardware store for treating a septic system would be a good choice.

[seapony2]

Thanks I had not heard of the fabric softener.
I use a powder call Ridx in the septic at home but didn't know what it might do in a holding tank.

[RichH]

Rid-X is a bacteria / enzyme compound that only promotes bacterial action.

Most probably your 'accretions' in your holding tank are calcium carbonate deposits (promoted by the mixture of salt water and uric acid). Many times these deposits can be remedied by the addition of commercial boiler descaling compounds ..... RydLyme, Marsolve. Such are biodegradable and therefore can be pumped out into sewage or septic systems (after dilution). If your holding tank is loaded with such 'calcifications' then also too your discharge line from your head TO the holding tank will most probably be also affected and will need to be treated. Once cleared the usage of simple vinegar down the head on a regular basis will lessen the buildup.

[seapony2]

Thanks,
Our heads are vacuflush and are supplied with fresh water. I think the build up is more than likely toilet tissue and solids that didn't get pumped out as regular as needed. I need something that will break the solid waste up.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by seapony2

Thanks,
Our heads are vacuflush and are supplied with fresh water. I think the build up is more than likely toilet tissue and solids that didn't get pumped out as regular as needed. I need something that will break the solid waste up.

Every year or two, we open the inspection port and stick the pump out vacuum nozzle down in the tank to scour the bottom. This has proven very effective at eliminating the buildup that never gets pumped out through the deck fitting.

Also, it's a good idea to re-fill from a hose, rinse, and then re-pump the tank each time you do a pump out. This helps to break things up at the bottom and get the solids into solution for pumping out.