Holding + Antifreeze?

[thomm225]

I have a small 3 gallon holding tank on my Thetford Head.

At this time, it contains maybe a gallon of water and some Odorlos.

One normal size "load" has also been dropped in.

We are going to be getting below freezing tonight, and I'm sure the water will be off at the dumping facility so I was thinking adding a bit of antifreeze to the mix.

Has anyone done this before?

[Liam Wald]

Then where would you pump out your tank?
Anti-freeze is a hazardous waste and really should not go into the sewer system.

[a64pilot]

I doubt it will get below freezing, your boat of course is floating in water above freezing, and I think that if nothing else will keep the holding tank above freezing, but I don't think all anti-freeze is hazardous, I don't think the kind you put in water tanks is.

[Mike OReilly]

Plumber's antifreeze is a standard addition to all holding tanks where it freezes. Not toxic, and keeps your tank from cracking.

Go for it

[thomm225]

Okay, I'll hold off on the antifreeze for now.

The temp is only going to go down to 27 degrees for a few hours and there is plenty of room in the tank for the ice if it did freeze.............

I pulled the plug on my 20 gallon forward tank this am and let the bilge pump handle that. I also poured out the holding tank's clean water supply.

There are just a few single gallons of water left

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Plumber's antifreeze is a standard addition to all holding tanks where it freezes. Not toxic, and keeps your tank from cracking.

Go for it

Thanks, I'll check into that for later this year..

[a64pilot]

The pink RV antifreeze you can get at Walmart, just don't be stingy with it, apparently if its mix is weak, stuff will grow in it, needs to be pretty strong mix to keep stuff from growing.
For the fresh water side anyway, doubt you much care what grows in the holding tank.

Don't forget the hot water heater if you have one

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Don't forget the hot water heater if you have one

Ha! My boat only has the very basic essentials, plus solar and inverter.

I do the Into the Wild thing when I go out on my Weekend Warrior Cruises.......(I do carry beer and books though plus my hiking boots and kayak)

http://www.christophermccandless.inf...wildmovie.html

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1845.Into_the_Wild

[thomm225]

We had 17 degrees last night. Water temp reported as 46 degrees.

Checked the boat on the way to work, and it was 26 degrees where the thermometer was hanging inside on the bulkhead near the companionway.

I moved it to the cabin sole and within 3-4 minutes it was already near 30 degrees.

There are 8 one gallon jugs of water stored below the aft part of the V berth. They were not frozen.

One more cold night this week ...................