T and H

Yeah just tools lying around!! Obviously useless!!

Very informative!! Really interesting. Thanks so much for your replies everyone. We have learned a lot!!! And would never use a steel tank again! If anyone is interested in an update... the bitumen product did work but in the end we decided that since the cabin was in chaos anyway we should bite the bullet and replace the tank. We fitted a new plastic one from Lee san and (touch wood) it is perfect. Thanks again!

Dr Bob - this is hilarious. We did think bitumen might be difficult so got some similar roof sealant stuff instead that was recommended for metal and easy to apply. Turns out.. Incredibly smelly and creates some fairly noxious fumes...we have evacuated! Swings and roundabouts though - went out for a nice pub dinner and staying with friends who have a bath. ...but 2 pack would have been a good idea!! Thanks mad dog. We have managed to pick the tank up after pumping out and look at the bottom and all the sides. Everywhere is fine apart from the top (weird but true). That is interesting about corrosion. Makes sense. I wonder how the oxide could have been damaged. I guess anything could have gone in the tank at some point. PS the cling film in the picture was from an experiment a couple of months ago when we suspected the pipes of causing the smell. Entirely ineffectual.

So helpful. Thanks everyone! Maybe they did use yeast! We definitely haven’t. Yeah definitely not droppings, although I am going through all the sci-fi options of what the monster in the tank could be.. Tank is definitely in in poor condition. We haven’t got hold of a magnifying glass but do think they are small corrosion holes (not sure how it gets corroded?). Bitumen is a great suggestion as buying a new tank is not really on the cards right now (Dear family. We didn’t get any of you a Christmas present as we needed a new poo tank). Thanks again!

So helpful. Thanks everyone. Yes the residue is on the top. But no we have never run the tank totally full (that’s what’s weird about how stuff could force its way up through holes anyway). Good idea to to look for holes - magnifying glass is a great idea and will try washing up liquid. Breather pipe is about 3” though. Initially we did think pipes would be more likely re the smell, and we did reseal round the pipes. Have considered replacing them but the residue stuff is pointing towards tank rather than pipes. Probably both!!! Yeah might need new new tank or cassette :-( time to save up. The previous owners used to self pump-out but I’m not sure whether this would make any difference. They also said that they had once had a problem with smell which turned out to be the gauge for how full it was so they disabled it and sealed it off (we pump out quite regularly so I’m still sure that we haven’t run it full). Thanks for the advice!

Hi all. We have a waste tank under the bed (waste is pumped through a macerator from the toilet). The tank has been a bit smelly since we got the boat in the summer (more of chemicals than of waste, but sometimes smells of waste too). We have taken up the bed panel to find grotty (!) crystalline residue on top of the tank. We did this about three months ago and cleared off all the residue. We have just taken up the panel again to find the crystalline stuff is back! Has anyone encountered it before? Is it possible that the tank has tiny holes in and is somehow pushing crystals out of the tank? Does anyone know what it is? Some of them are white, some grey/green/black and some brown Have searched the forum and internet in general but really stumped! If anyone has any ideas we would be so grateful!! Thanks, Helena