OK.....the head re-plumb is almost completed, (thanks to my mistress, peggie) and I hope I go to my grave without doing this again. I violated my oath to not return to West Marine and got a container of liquid Odorlos (with my $10 coupon....he..he). Question? The directions say to add so much per gallon. Well....My tank starts out empty, so how does that work? Should I add the recommeded amount to my 20 gallon holding tank, before it has 20 gallons of waste, then let it dilute the Odorlos slowly? The directions really don't explain this. Another question.....the directions say to pump the tank weekly. I don't even go to my boat every week. I'm confused Peggie, straighten me out here. Thanks much
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We use the dry stuff.
Gary: It is like blood, sweat & tears replumbing one of these h'31's. There is not a single piece of hose that is easy to get to. I congratulate you. We only use the dry stuff. Each time we pump out the tank, we pump it "dry" then add about 3-5 gallons of water. Then we pump it out again. We then add a single package of Odorlos to the empty head. Once the weather cools off (don't know what it is like in your neck of the woods) the tank is okay for several weeks at a time. In the warmer weather high 80's and 90's we may supplement the tank with an additional packet of chemicals. We also use some KO now and then when we leave the boat during warmer weather. Our hoses are getting to be 10 years old and have very little odor problems. So the bottom line is to add chemicals as soon as you pump out. There is always enough bacteria in the tank for the stuff to start working on. Be sure that your person that thinks the potti is dirty does not use harsh chemicals to sanitize it. This can eliminate the ability of KO/Odorlos to kill the odors.
Gary: It is like blood, sweat & tears replumbing one of these h'31's. There is not a single piece of hose that is easy to get to. I congratulate you. We only use the dry stuff. Each time we pump out the tank, we pump it "dry" then add about 3-5 gallons of water. Then we pump it out again. We then add a single package of Odorlos to the empty head. Once the weather cools off (don't know what it is like in your neck of the woods) the tank is okay for several weeks at a time. In the warmer weather high 80's and 90's we may supplement the tank with an additional packet of chemicals. We also use some KO now and then when we leave the boat during warmer weather. Our hoses are getting to be 10 years old and have very little odor problems. So the bottom line is to add chemicals as soon as you pump out. There is always enough bacteria in the tank for the stuff to start working on. Be sure that your person that thinks the potti is dirty does not use harsh chemicals to sanitize it. This can eliminate the ability of KO/Odorlos to kill the odors.
Steve's advice works for liquid too.
You should add the recommended "dose" when you start the tank...also (especially important) immediately after pumpout ...and again when you return to the boat if it's been a week or more. You may be able to play around with the "dosage" a bit...maybe use a little less immediately after pumpout 'cuz there won't be much in the tank. But not when you return to the boat. Bacteria are much more active in hot weather than in cool, so during the hottest summer months, you may even have to add again in the middle of a weekend aboard. If you want to prevent odor, it's important that you not let the odor get ahead of the game...'cuz if you do, the only solution is, pump out, rinse out, and start over. That's true of any tank product, btw.
You should add the recommended "dose" when you start the tank...also (especially important) immediately after pumpout ...and again when you return to the boat if it's been a week or more. You may be able to play around with the "dosage" a bit...maybe use a little less immediately after pumpout 'cuz there won't be much in the tank. But not when you return to the boat. Bacteria are much more active in hot weather than in cool, so during the hottest summer months, you may even have to add again in the middle of a weekend aboard. If you want to prevent odor, it's important that you not let the odor get ahead of the game...'cuz if you do, the only solution is, pump out, rinse out, and start over. That's true of any tank product, btw.
"Belt and suspenders"
The active "ingredient" in K.O. is live bacteria...the active ingredient in Odorlos is nitrates. They CAN be used together, but if one works, you don't need the other. If one doesn't work, switch to the other one. If neither works, we need to talk about how to increase ventliation to your tank.
The active "ingredient" in K.O. is live bacteria...the active ingredient in Odorlos is nitrates. They CAN be used together, but if one works, you don't need the other. If one doesn't work, switch to the other one. If neither works, we need to talk about how to increase ventliation to your tank.
KO over the winter
Peggie- I've got about half a bottle of KO left from the season, and the boat is now out of the water. Will those little guys in the KO still be around next spring or should I pitch the bottle now? I was planning on keeping it in the house at a reasonable temp and not letting it freeze on the boat or in the garage. T J
Peggie- I've got about half a bottle of KO left from the season, and the boat is now out of the water. Will those little guys in the KO still be around next spring or should I pitch the bottle now? I was planning on keeping it in the house at a reasonable temp and not letting it freeze on the boat or in the garage. T J
Keep it...
You have nothing to lose...either it still works next spring or it doesn't. If it doesn't, THEN pitch it and buy more. If you pitch it now, you'll have to buy more next spring whether it would still have worked or not.
You have nothing to lose...either it still works next spring or it doesn't. If it doesn't, THEN pitch it and buy more. If you pitch it now, you'll have to buy more next spring whether it would still have worked or not.
Got it....
You warn against harsh chemicals. What is safe to use to clean those ugly stains inside the bowl? Thanks much!
You warn against harsh chemicals. What is safe to use to clean those ugly stains inside the bowl? Thanks much!
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