Hydrogen peroxide

[Tim Op't Holt]

While having a holding tank pump-out yesterday I discussed tank odor with the guy at the dock. He recommended pouring a quart of hydrogen peroxide in the tank to control odor. Your thoughts on this? I recently received your book and already have a list of things to do.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Won't work...

H2O2 exhausts itself very quickly...it might provide some odor relief for a day, but that's about all.

 

[Jim]

this may sound odd

This may seem odd but after huricane hugo peoples refridgerators smelled really bad from fish and shrimp and other stuff thawing inside. The recommened deoderizer was massagel douch. It worked very well.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Not odd at all...

Baking soda--which is the ingredient in Massingill douche--absorbs EXISTING odors. It doesn't prevent 'em though.

 

[Buck Harrison]

Tim,

I agree w/ Peggy that pouring a qt. of H2O2 into the holding tank may not necessarily provide a great deal of direct bacteriocidal effect. However, H2O2 breaks down into water and oxygen; as such, it further oxygenates the holding tank. Since odor causing bacteria are almost entirely anerobic, increasing oxygenation in the holding tank should help to reduce the numbers of anerobic bacteria, and by so doing, help to reduce odor.In addition to using "KO" & "Odorlos" I pour a qt of H2O2 into the holding tanks (and shower sumps) from time to time. The boat is now into its 3d season and I have yet to have any odor problems.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Be careful to make sure the tank vent never

becomes blocked. H2O2 may oxygenate the tank contents, but it's also effervescent. In the event of a blocked tank vent, it can pressurize your tank.It also exhausts itself very quickly...so if you're only adding it to the tank "from time to time," the other products you're using will give you the same odor-free results without it.Although H2O2 in combination with K.O. and Odorlos--which isn't just a "belt and suspenders" approach, that's a belt and TWO pair of suspenders!--is harmless, not all combinations are. In fact, combining some chemical products with others or even with some cleaning products could produce gasses that are lethal...so I wouldn't recommend combining ANY holding tank products unless you know what the actives ingredients are, check with someone who does...me, for instance.