I'm thinking of adding about a gallon of water diluted with 5-6 oz of Clorox to my holding tank pumped thru the head. Purpose would be to kill any ambient bacteria/critters and generally keep the system clean. Any potential harm to the system in doing this?
Clorox in head
- Thread starter Warren M
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I wouldn't do it
If you watch Peggy's responses she says (and I believe her) that the bleach will damage the seals and and rubber piece you have (ie the joker valve. Could you pour the clorox solution through the pupout hose to at least get it to the holding tank
If you watch Peggy's responses she says (and I believe her) that the bleach will damage the seals and and rubber piece you have (ie the joker valve. Could you pour the clorox solution through the pupout hose to at least get it to the holding tank
Good Bacteria
I'll step out on a limb and give my best shot at a "Peggie" answer. I'm sure she'll chime in and let you know if I'm right or wrong. Killing all the bacteria in the tank is a bad thing. Having the proper tank conditions and some bacteria is a good thing. Bacteria in an aerobic (i.e. oxygen) environment will actually help to break down material and eliminate odor. Bacteria in an anaerobic (i.e. no oxygen) environment is what causes the stink. That is why proper venting is so important. Allowing the vent line to clog is an invitation for trouble. I believe that her advice would be to not try to kill all the bacteria, because you won't be able to, but to provide an environment for the proper bacteria to thrive. K.O. is also a great help in this direction. And as Dan B. pointed out, and Peggie probably will to, Clorox is hard on the head components. So Peggie, how did I do? T J
I'll step out on a limb and give my best shot at a "Peggie" answer. I'm sure she'll chime in and let you know if I'm right or wrong. Killing all the bacteria in the tank is a bad thing. Having the proper tank conditions and some bacteria is a good thing. Bacteria in an aerobic (i.e. oxygen) environment will actually help to break down material and eliminate odor. Bacteria in an anaerobic (i.e. no oxygen) environment is what causes the stink. That is why proper venting is so important. Allowing the vent line to clog is an invitation for trouble. I believe that her advice would be to not try to kill all the bacteria, because you won't be able to, but to provide an environment for the proper bacteria to thrive. K.O. is also a great help in this direction. And as Dan B. pointed out, and Peggie probably will to, Clorox is hard on the head components. So Peggie, how did I do? T J
TJ gets an A,...Dan gets a B-
Not only is bleach damaging to the toilet, but you don't want it in the holding tank either...and it's as destructive to hoses as it is to the rubber parts in toilets and other pumps. In fact, bleach has no place ANYwhere on a boat except in the annual recommissioning of the fresh water system. Bleach is not a cleaner...if it were, it could be used by itself in the laundry...you wouldn't need detergent. Bleach IS a disinfectant, but only in high concentration, and is also highly corrosive. What's more, any "disinfecting" properties in chlorine evaporate within 24 hours, leaving only its corrosive properties behind. Besides, the last thing you want to in a holding tank is "disinfect" it with bleach or any other chemical product. YOu have to put a quart of it down with every flush to accomplish anything anyway...but that's the wrong approach... You want to work WITH nature, not against it...and bacteria are essential in nature. TJ briefly explained why. Pump out your tank, then flush it out VERY thoroughly with nothing but clean water. Make sure your vent line is completely clear. Then use either Raritan K.O. or a Norwegian import called Odorlos in your tank according to directions...and Raritan C.P. to keep your bowl shining and odor free. I suggest you also check out the link below.
Not only is bleach damaging to the toilet, but you don't want it in the holding tank either...and it's as destructive to hoses as it is to the rubber parts in toilets and other pumps. In fact, bleach has no place ANYwhere on a boat except in the annual recommissioning of the fresh water system. Bleach is not a cleaner...if it were, it could be used by itself in the laundry...you wouldn't need detergent. Bleach IS a disinfectant, but only in high concentration, and is also highly corrosive. What's more, any "disinfecting" properties in chlorine evaporate within 24 hours, leaving only its corrosive properties behind. Besides, the last thing you want to in a holding tank is "disinfect" it with bleach or any other chemical product. YOu have to put a quart of it down with every flush to accomplish anything anyway...but that's the wrong approach... You want to work WITH nature, not against it...and bacteria are essential in nature. TJ briefly explained why. Pump out your tank, then flush it out VERY thoroughly with nothing but clean water. Make sure your vent line is completely clear. Then use either Raritan K.O. or a Norwegian import called Odorlos in your tank according to directions...and Raritan C.P. to keep your bowl shining and odor free. I suggest you also check out the link below.
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