pumping out holding tank
 

I had my holding tank pumped out for the first time sinse I have owned the boat and it didn't seem to empty it. The guy stuck sort of a shop vac nozzle to the side of the boat and let it rip. Should that have a line on it that goes down into the tank? Should I open the valve on the toilet? I want to make sure this thing gets emptied the right way.

Re: pumping out holding tank
 

It should be plumbed so the hose from the fitting goes to the bottom of the tank in the boat. So when they put the sucker on it draws from the lowest point of the tank. To get a good pumpout you need to let them suck it dry, then rinse through the toilet with a gallon of water or so, then have them suck some more, this will get most of the nasty stuff out and leave mostly water in the very bottom of the tank, then make sure you use a deodorizer.

Re: pumping out holding tank
 

I figured that the bone head was doing it wrong. He just used a suction on the side of the boat and that was it. I need to go somewhere else and have it done right.

Re: pumping out holding tank
 

No that's the way it's done, your boat should be plumbed down to the bottom of the tank, just rinse before they stop sucking.

Re: pumping out holding tank
 

Do I need to open the toilet valve or is the vent good enough to keep the tank from sucking flat from the vacuum? This is not something that I look forward to working on. Also how do you replace the vent?

Re: pumping out holding tank
 

Vent should handle it. Should be a vent hose from the top of the tank to a hull fitting.