Now that Peggy is gone...

[Tally Ho]

I would like to pose a question for the day sailors out there ( as opposed to the long term cruisers who use their heads/holding tanks a lot).....

I generally only day sail on my 1996 Hunter 280. It has ~20 gal holding tank and Jabsco toilet. We don't use it much....kids may pee once in a while and I may drain a beer from my kidney if I have guests on board and can't....well, you know.

So, the question is, without a lot of waste in the tank to support anaerobic decomposition, how do you maintain your tank?

Peggy was very against the typical RV tank deodorant, but she seemed incredulous that I only pumped out my tank a couple of times a year...

So those of you who use your head/tank very little like me....what do you do?


No disrespect intended to Peggy.....she certainly knows her sh*t ( pun intended)...but if you never make a "deposit", how does that change the recommendation?

Greg

 

[Dantodd]

Are pump outs really that I convenient? Use it, pump it. Seems simple.

 

[Steve L22188]

Where did Peggy go?

I guess I missed that turn of events. Can someone provide any explanation?

 

[dparilla]

Peggy announced her retirement, she said it was time for her to step off the throne....

It is actually the aerobic decomposition that you want to maintain. A tank will go septic (anaerobic) without any effort, and septic equals stink. If there is truly only urine in the tank, it will not support a high level of bacteria, but will still stink because of the other chemicals resident in urine. And, due to the corrosive nature of urine it can still permeate lines and cause crystaline build up and damage to the hoses and rubber portions of the system. Be sure to flush it thoroughly through the lines. I recommend using some fresh water dispensed from a jug etc as the last flush of the day to minimize any organisms from the raw water system from making their way into the tank. That way you will reduce the amount of decomposible material in the system.

When you do use the system, make your first flush with a dose of KO and it should help kick start any decomposition needed, if the vent lines are small, you may want to assist it with a shot of Odorloss as well since it will act as a "fertilizer" for aerobic bacteria. With such infrequent use, there really is no way to set up a good decomp cycle as any "food" for the aerobic bacteria will soon be exhausted and they will die off. The only way to rapidly replenish them is with a shot of KO (a bioactive) otherwise you just won't give the good bacteria a chance to do their job before the stink sets in.

When you do get around to pumping out, be sure to flush the system with fresh water from a hose (not raw water) to keep the tank and lines as clean as you can.

 

[Scott B]

I guess I missed that turn of events. Can someone provide any explanation?

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=139812

 

[zeehag]

odorlos. works.

 

[whatfiero]

water it down with fresh water a pint per pee and use pine scented ammonia with more water 1 quart at end of day then pump out once a month

 

[Tally Ho]

Are pump outs really that I convenient? Use it, pump it. Seems simple.

Not that inconvenient, but I might as well have a port-o-pottie instead of a marine toilet (or use a coffee can).

Greg

 

[Tally Ho]

It is actually the aerobic decomposition that you want to maintain. A tank will go septic (anaerobic) without any effort, and septic equals stink. If there is truly only urine in the tank, it will not support a high level of bacteria, but will still stink because of the other chemicals resident in urine. And, due to the corrosive nature of urine it can still permeate lines and cause crystaline build up and damage to the hoses and rubber portions of the system. Be sure to flush it thoroughly through the lines. I recommend using some fresh water dispensed from a jug etc as the last flush of the day to minimize any organisms from the raw water system from making their way into the tank. That way you will reduce the amount of decomposible material in the system.

When you do use the system, make your first flush with a dose of KO and it should help kick start any decomposition needed, if the vent lines are small, you may want to assist it with a shot of Odorloss as well since it will act as a "fertilizer" for aerobic bacteria. With such infrequent use, there really is no way to set up a good decomp cycle as any "food" for the aerobic bacteria will soon be exhausted and they will die off. The only way to rapidly replenish them is with a shot of KO (a bioactive) otherwise you just won't give the good bacteria a chance to do their job before the stink sets in.

When you do get around to pumping out, be sure to flush the system with fresh water from a hose (not raw water) to keep the tank and lines as clean as you can.

Thanks. Some good feedback.

Greg

 

[Tally Ho]

odorlos. works.

That makes 2 votes for Odorlos....guess I better get some.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Tally Ho]

water it down with fresh water a pint per pee and use pine scented ammonia with more water 1 quart at end of day then pump out once a month

Safe to use ammonia on the sanitation hoses, poly holding tank, and rubber toilet parts?

Greg

 

[Rick D]

Do This Instead...

Safe to use ammonia on the sanitation hoses, poly holding tank, and rubber toilet parts? Greg

Get some CP and use it as a cleaner. It is compatible with Odorlos & KO. I squirt a bit into my drains & heads when I leave. It has a degreaser in it. it is sold on this site or from wherever you buy KO.
Every time I leave the boat, I also flush a cup of white vinegar (per Peggy's instructions) down the head before I final flush it with a about a pint of fresh water. Otherwise, I do exactly the same as Dan. Has worked for me for many years.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I remember onced at the Annapolis Sailboat Show while c hatting with Miss Peggy, I asked her about putting down white vineagar in the toilet and flushing. She hushed me quickly but acknowledged it worked very well. I started laughing and she too laughed.

 

[zeehag]

vinegar works. odorlos is best.
vinegar neutralizes urine. doesnt do anything for feces.

when you pump out, make sure the SEA water you use is plentiful---salt water is the best fluid to break down body fluids and blood and feces. is good for the toilet, which is made for sea water. make sure you use plenty of sea water to dislodge the feces build up out of your tank. this works-- btdt. took me 5 pump outs when i first bought this formosa to rid the tank of solids and goo that was built up in that tank.

 

[Benny17441]

It seems there is a need to name a new "Thronemaster". There are a few members which seem knowledgeable in the matter and perhaps would be interested in serving the community. Due to the sensitive and technical information discussed no comedians should apply. No time for obituaries yet, Peggy is still around the forum and I'm sure she would bring helpful advise to whomever elected even if they stunk a little.

 

[Scott B]

It seems there is a need to name a new "Thronemaster". There are a few members which seem knowledgeable in the matter and perhaps would be interested in serving the community. Due to the sensitive and technical information discussed no comedians should apply. No time for obituaries yet, Peggy is still around the forum and I'm sure she would bring helpful advise to whomever elected even if they stunk a little.

I do know a few memebers on here that are FOS, so would be well suited to the position.......