Flushing holding tank

BobHaze101

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2023
Messages
8
Location
Hyannis, MA
Fluid Motion Model
R-29 S
Quick question: in my 2013 R29S can I add water to my holding tank through the "Waste" deck plate? I'm getting hauled out for the season next week and would like to fill it half-full then have it pumped out first, prior to winterizing.
 
I do this every time I pump out. No issues filling through deck plate.
 
I do it 2-3 times around September to clean out the holding tank. Most of our pump out stations have water and a hose next to them specifically for this purpose. Always fill through the deck plate.

Pro Tip: Never use that water hose near the pump out for filling your freshwater tank. 😀

I pump the tank out, then fill it with freshwater until it's full. Pump it out again... Our waste tank is 30 gallons.
 
Do you guys have a rule of thumb of how long you stand there filling the tank with water? I’m shooting to get it at least half full, but my gauge is broken so trying to do some guesstimates re hose fill speed, etc and love to hear how others do it.
 
Yes, rinsing the tank with fresh water before a winter’s nap is a good thing! You can buy a water flow meter for a garden hose on Amazon. I use the meter to help monitor our fresh water usage rate at each fill and to measure what I add to the holding tank when rinsing.
 
This is why I never use public water hoses to fill my freshwater tank. I have no idea if someone else chose to shove it down their head's pumpout fitting.
 
I do have the 20212 R25 and will like to confirmation that the holding tank system comes with a filter in the vent hose?. I believe that mine doesn't!!!! not quite sure where they vent is located and access to it in case I have to install one my self!!!
 
Our 2923 R27 is not equipped with a holding tank vent filter, and I believe that is standard for RT.
 
Our 2923 R27 is not equipped with a holding tank vent filter, and I believe that is standard for RT.
Are you experiencing " unpleased smells sometimes ?
 
I do have the 20212 R25 and will like to confirmation that the holding tank system comes with a filter in the vent hose?. I believe that mine doesn't!!!! not quite sure where they vent is located and access to it in case I have to install one my self!!!
If you do a search you will find volumes on this subject ranging from various additives/treatments through home made filters to what (to me) was the simplest solution on our RT25SC. I installed the Big Orange Filter. It was inexpensive, easy to install on the tank, includes a valve to avoid a tank collapse when pumping out and is easy to refill. No, I DON”T get money or other incentives from them. It was just a great solution to an odorous problem.
 
So for what are you saying on the RT 25 the sanitation goes direct from the toilet to tank ( only the joke valve in between ) and from the tank to the pump out /macerator out I believe we have tank vent, just not a filter on it ..where is the tank located/ access to it ? I see the shutoff valve under the sink but cant see where the tank is ...will you please share big orange part number you used?
https://bigorangefilter.com/shop/
Thank you for you advise, and yes I just purchase the additives and treatments which help considerably
Thank you !!
By the way I am replacing the toilet base since I have a crack on it .. no leak so far but is getting bigger and I am replacing the base seal and joker valve !! seems easy but very uncomfortable to work on it .
 
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So for what are you saying on the RT 25 the sanitation goes direct from the toilet to tank ( only the joke valve in between ) and from the tank to the pump out /macerator out I believe we have tank vent, just not a filter on it ..where is the tank located/ access to it ? I see the shutoff valve under the sink but cant see where the tank is ...will you please share big orange part number you used?
https://bigorangefilter.com/shop/
Thank you for you advise, and yes I just purchase the additives and treatments which help considerably
Thank you !!
By the way I am replacing the toilet base since I have a crack on it .. no leak so far but is getting bigger and I am replacing the base seal and joker valve !! seems easy but very uncomfortable to work on it .
Open the lid of the seat/box at the stern and lift out the liner. It lifts easier at the front. You now have access to all the stuff at the stern like the rudder post (that needs a couple of grease shots once a year. You now have the tank in front of you. On the top you will see the access cap that unscrews and you can clean out the tank with a hose when necessary. You will find the point where the feed from the toilet goes to the tank as well as the vent pipe that goes to a fitting on the transom. There is a photo of the Orange filter installation in the “Modifications” album on my photos. Send me an email if you can’t find it. I used the Big orange filter original and bought the refill kit. I believe the pricing on the website is in $CDN so not so expensive for the US buyers. If you put some sort of filter in the vent line and it creates a restriction and forget to remove the access cap before pumping out there are documented cases of the waste tank collapsing. The big orange filter has a relief valve that supposedly prevents this but I try to remove the cap, just in case. Feel free to email with questions.
 
"rudder post" ( I have an outboard 250) "There is a photo of the Orange filter installation in the “Modifications” album on my photos" Just saw the picture and filter vent style .what you mean when you say 'waste tank collapsing" sorry my ignorance !!..But yes I am going to look at the location of the tank and go from there!!! Thank you very much!!!
This is my email rodr3075@bellsouth.net ...
 
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