On my boat, there is a PVC container on seawater intake line to the head. It is supposed to hold a blue cube which provides a number of treatments for the head. I have never used it. Instead, I keep a number of bottles of various treatments and use them as directed or required. Is this blue cube a good alternative? The cubes go for about $9/ea and I don't know how long they last. Is it cost effective? thank you
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Sounds an intake odor cure device
They're intended to reduce odor from stagnant sea water trapped in the head intake line. Their effectiveness varies. I'd be careful using any of them...some contain chemicals that are destructive to rubber and neoprene valves and seals in the toilet...some can interact negatively with any chemicals used in a holding tanks...and ALL of them can total the electrodes in a Lectra/San. You said you keep a variety of chemicals on board to pour down the toilet. That's not a g good idea either, because the chemicals in them can react negatively with each other. For instance, a product containing quatenary ammonium compounds mixed with a product that contains any of the chlorine compounds can combine to produce lethal gasses. If you're having odor problems with your system--either inside the boat or out the tank vent line, you'll find some useful suggestions in the articles in the Head Mistress Reference Library...and I'm always glad to help work out the specifics of what to do in any particular installation.
They're intended to reduce odor from stagnant sea water trapped in the head intake line. Their effectiveness varies. I'd be careful using any of them...some contain chemicals that are destructive to rubber and neoprene valves and seals in the toilet...some can interact negatively with any chemicals used in a holding tanks...and ALL of them can total the electrodes in a Lectra/San. You said you keep a variety of chemicals on board to pour down the toilet. That's not a g good idea either, because the chemicals in them can react negatively with each other. For instance, a product containing quatenary ammonium compounds mixed with a product that contains any of the chlorine compounds can combine to produce lethal gasses. If you're having odor problems with your system--either inside the boat or out the tank vent line, you'll find some useful suggestions in the articles in the Head Mistress Reference Library...and I'm always glad to help work out the specifics of what to do in any particular installation.
B
Bob Peters
thank you Peggie, but...
The treatments include a lubricant for the pump, vinegar and a blue liquid for odors (which han't been a problem- maybe due to the blue liquid). In a store, reading the label on the box containing the blue cube that goes in the PVC container (referred to in my initial note), it says 3 treatments in one: lube for head hand pump, deoderizor and something else which I cannot remember. My guess is that as the sea water comes in, it flows over the cube taking some of the material with it into the head, hoses and holding tank. What do you recommend to cover all the bases in a 33' sailboat with head and 30 gal holding tank? thank you
The treatments include a lubricant for the pump, vinegar and a blue liquid for odors (which han't been a problem- maybe due to the blue liquid). In a store, reading the label on the box containing the blue cube that goes in the PVC container (referred to in my initial note), it says 3 treatments in one: lube for head hand pump, deoderizor and something else which I cannot remember. My guess is that as the sea water comes in, it flows over the cube taking some of the material with it into the head, hoses and holding tank. What do you recommend to cover all the bases in a 33' sailboat with head and 30 gal holding tank? thank you
P
Patrick Ewing
If it isn't broken
what are you going to fix? It isn't clear to me exactly what you are asking. Generally speaking, the cubes you refer to ( and the blue liquid as well which I have seen ) are formalin ie: polymerized formaldehyde which is a biocide used for odor control. It decomposes to formaldehyde which can be a threat to your health but probably isn't much risk when used as intended ie: don't eat them. More likely, it will kill the bacteria in the intake water and holding tank which may or may not be a good thing. It might react with some plastics and can cause some problems in the long run with seals but most likely you will have other problems requiring your attention before you notice any effect like that. It will pose a much more significant threat to the aquatic environment than will either kind of glycol antifreeze depending on quantity which is so low that it is not much concern. I doubt that any sort of lubricant found in one of these cubes is very effective. There may be some other ingredient like perfume to mask odors. All things considered, I would say just keep it clean, don't use bleach, do use a little oil, vinegar, and a few drops of lemon juice once in a while and save your $9. Peggy has a lot of other info and some very useful suggestions as well elsewhere on this site. She wants me to rebuild my head a lot more than I want to though. She also seems to know my family too. By the way Peggy - How do you know know about my wife and brother? JR has started wearing an ear ring since I saw him 2 years ago - yuk. I better not say anything about Janis - oh - except that she is becoming more beautiful and I don't notice that enough. Just like you said in a previous thread. You must be psychic or something. Thanks for reminding me of that last thing and your help with my head(s).
what are you going to fix? It isn't clear to me exactly what you are asking. Generally speaking, the cubes you refer to ( and the blue liquid as well which I have seen ) are formalin ie: polymerized formaldehyde which is a biocide used for odor control. It decomposes to formaldehyde which can be a threat to your health but probably isn't much risk when used as intended ie: don't eat them. More likely, it will kill the bacteria in the intake water and holding tank which may or may not be a good thing. It might react with some plastics and can cause some problems in the long run with seals but most likely you will have other problems requiring your attention before you notice any effect like that. It will pose a much more significant threat to the aquatic environment than will either kind of glycol antifreeze depending on quantity which is so low that it is not much concern. I doubt that any sort of lubricant found in one of these cubes is very effective. There may be some other ingredient like perfume to mask odors. All things considered, I would say just keep it clean, don't use bleach, do use a little oil, vinegar, and a few drops of lemon juice once in a while and save your $9. Peggy has a lot of other info and some very useful suggestions as well elsewhere on this site. She wants me to rebuild my head a lot more than I want to though. She also seems to know my family too. By the way Peggy - How do you know know about my wife and brother? JR has started wearing an ear ring since I saw him 2 years ago - yuk. I better not say anything about Janis - oh - except that she is becoming more beautiful and I don't notice that enough. Just like you said in a previous thread. You must be psychic or something. Thanks for reminding me of that last thing and your help with my head(s).
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
"One size fits all" products seldom do one job...
...half as well as separate companion products intended for specific jobs. I've never found a "cover all bases" product that did a very good job of covering one base. Undiluted white vinegar in small doses--a cupful a week--helps keep lines clear of sea water calcium carbonates and urine crystals...small amounts diluted by flush water do little--but it can, along with the "blue chemical," interefere with breakdown of solids and paper, creating sludge in the tank. I don't have a clue what the "blue chemical" is...prob'ly not formaldehyde, but something else equally lethal--like gluteraldehyde. You're looking for the easiest way out of sanitation system maintenance. It's not particularly hard, but it does require a little understand of what's going on in it--and what needs to go on. Read the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library, and you'll learn quite a bit.
...half as well as separate companion products intended for specific jobs. I've never found a "cover all bases" product that did a very good job of covering one base. Undiluted white vinegar in small doses--a cupful a week--helps keep lines clear of sea water calcium carbonates and urine crystals...small amounts diluted by flush water do little--but it can, along with the "blue chemical," interefere with breakdown of solids and paper, creating sludge in the tank. I don't have a clue what the "blue chemical" is...prob'ly not formaldehyde, but something else equally lethal--like gluteraldehyde. You're looking for the easiest way out of sanitation system maintenance. It's not particularly hard, but it does require a little understand of what's going on in it--and what needs to go on. Read the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library, and you'll learn quite a bit.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.