Holding Tank Odor Control
- Thread starter wflowe2
- Start date
Our resident expert Headmistress Peggy will likely address this. I have used Raritan KO with success for the past three years. You should read her book as there are other source of odor such as the hoses. A lot of great info there that I have never seen anywhere else.
Head Odors 101.2 The Difference between KO & Odorlos (scroll up to Reply #2) http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=890493&highlight=odorlos
I have successfully used KO and Odorlos for the last 4+ years. I don't see any performance difference between them. I have used both the liquid and powder version of Odorlos.
- First, don't "treat" your marine head like your home toilet, they both have a bowl and a seat and that is where the similarities end.
- Read the manual, all those sanitizing chemicals grandma used at the house are not on the recommended list. Many of them can compromise the integrity of the hoses, fittings and seals. They don't work.
- Know how many pump cycles are required to clear the waste from the hoses and into the tank. Use clean water to do that. Every day you use the system.
- The goal is not to kill bacteria, the goal is win the hearts and minds of friendly bacteria. Aerobic bacteria. They already live in your holding tank, be nice to them.
- Treatment - Calcium Nitrate, sold as OdorLos. Liquid or granular. It is food for your little buddy bacteria that live in your hoses and tank.
Good luck in your endeavor to gain a Marine Waste System Operator qualification, one of the most important quals a skipper can have!
Odorlos added to a pan of fresh water, fresh water rinsing of tank. No odor issues whatsoever after replacing hoses 10 years ago.
If you're trying to eliminate odor out the tank vent when you flush or the boat rocks, the tank is the source. But if you're trying to get rid of odor INSIDE THE BOAT, there isn't a tank product on the planet that can do that...because unless the tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank has only one place to go: out the tank vent! So while frequent pumpouts, increased ventilation, various tank products may or may not have any impact at all on odor out the tank vent, using any or all of them to try to eliminate odor inside the boat is only chasing your tail …you’ll never catch it.
So which problem are you trying to solve--odor inside the boat? Or out the tank vent?
So which problem are you trying to solve--odor inside the boat? Or out the tank vent?
Peggy,
I have your book and used it for years; that is the reason for my question, the book is 2003 vintage. I'm not having current odor problems but after pumping out today, I realized that I was out of tank treatment product. Just checking to see if there is something new available. I have a dedicated fresh water "flush" tank and I just want to keep the system odor free.
I have your book and used it for years; that is the reason for my question, the book is 2003 vintage. I'm not having current odor problems but after pumping out today, I realized that I was out of tank treatment product. Just checking to see if there is something new available. I have a dedicated fresh water "flush" tank and I just want to keep the system odor free.
You're on a fresh water lake, but still installed a dedicated flush water tank? Is Lake Perry that skanky?
If whatever you've been using has been working, it ain't broke...don't fix it.
If you like the original book, you'll LOVE the "new updated revised and expanded" version that just came out in February. Available from the sbo.com store...check out the link in my signature. (I'm not above posting shameless plugs!)
If whatever you've been using has been working, it ain't broke...don't fix it.
If you like the original book, you'll LOVE the "new updated revised and expanded" version that just came out in February. Available from the sbo.com store...check out the link in my signature. (I'm not above posting shameless plugs!)
All this talk made me think about a gift we gave my sister-in-law last Christmas. Just sayin'. Anyway, even if it doesn't work in a holding tank, you have got to watch their videos!!
Response from Poo-Pourri - "As long as there is standing water, Poo~Pourri will doo its Magic!!"
http://www.poopourri.com/pages/how-it-works
Response from Poo-Pourri - "As long as there is standing water, Poo~Pourri will doo its Magic!!"
http://www.poopourri.com/pages/how-it-works
Been cruising for about three wks now with another six to go. I decided to try the stuff from Tanktechsrx.com. So far, I'm pretty impressed. Not the cheapest, but you dont use that much..I still plan on redesigning the ventilation this winter..
Peggy, the Admiral just bought your book and it's fantastic. I put replacing the vent outlet on my list of "I gotta do this quick" things to do. I echo the sentiments of so many that will only say " get Peggy's book" when they ask questions about boat odor. Thankfully our odor problem was not related to permeated hoses so once I take care of the leaky toilet I'll be in good shape. We have added many items to our annual spring clean up list using suggestions in your book.
If you're planning to replace it, check out the new Raritan PH SuperFlush. Defender seems to be only retailer who has it yet, and for a GREAT price: Raritan PH SuperFlush Manual Toilet at Defender
I'm not replacing. The base unit got cracked by overzealous wrenching. It's a Jabsco that has the electric conversion and I'll be replacing the joker valve and the impeller at the same time. It worked really great except for the leak. I cleaned up the residue and the Admiral commented several times yesterday that the boat and the head smelled great. I placed the toilet on it's top and filled the rinse jets with KO and am soaking it for a couple of days waiting for the base unit and mounting kit etc to arrive. We were seeing critters when we flushed. YUK! I'm sure this will take care of it.