Does tank deodorant hurt KO additive

[Henry Rozanski]

Peggy,I used to use one of those in line tank deodorizers in my old boat to keep the odors down. I'm using KO now but feel I need some more help because I have a 6 year old discharge hose in my forward head (P42) and can't remove it to replace it (too darn wedged-in). If I insert one of those little dripping bottles of blue deodorant into my flush water line, will it interact with the enzyme activity of my KO additive and kill it's activity.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Of course it will...it's chemical

Chemicals kill bacteria. However, it won't do anything to protect your head discharge either. Only two things can: 1. flush ALL the waste out of the hose at least once a day with clean water...don't let the boat sit with waste sitting in the hose. 2. a cupful of undiluted white vinegar down the toilet once a week. White vinegar not only prevents sea water calcium carbonate build-up, but lowers the pH level which helps to reduce odor. And vinegar won't hurt K.O. Read the article "Flush With Success" in the HM forum reference library (go to the HM forum, click on the link to the library). And you'd also better figure out how to access all your hoses...'cuz sooner or later you'll have no choice but to replace 'em.

 

[Steve Dion]

Can't?

Henry:Can't is a very big word. You may not think that you CAN do it but I'd bet there are many other P42 out there where this has been done. The white sealand hose is very good but it is not only odor free hose on the market. We have the black nose from West Marine and have not had any problems with it in over 8 years.