recommended procedure post pump-out?

[Lou 14643]

I'd like some advice on the best procedure to use following a pump-out of the holding tank. I've pumped, run a few gallons of water into the tank and pumped again (twice) in order to dilute as much as possible the residue in the tank that is below the discharge elbow (about 3/4" or so). At this point should I add an enzyme additive to the tank? Wait until its first use? Thanks very much for advice.

 

[Terry Cox]

Lou, here is what I do after every pumpout...

1. Refill tank with fresh water, then pumpout.2. Squirt under pressure (may take a special nozzle to cover the scupper) fresh water into the holding tank vent scupper to make sure the vent line is clear.3. Add a couple of gallons of fresh water to the tank, then pump out. Repeat until clear water pumps out.4. Flush mixture of Odorlos through head into holding tank.I've been doing this procedure for four years now and the system works great.Terry

 

[Robert of St. Louis, MO]

Holding Treatment

Terry, where do you get Odorlos? How well does it work? Am looking for something new. Just finished a bottle that didn't work so well. Can't remember the name, something cheap I expect.

 

[Steve]

Web Page for Odorlos

I mostly use KO but do add Odorlos occasionally. Here is their web site -- I think I got mine at WM.

 

[Bill Roosa]

the vent cleaning is importatn

Terry's comment of cleaning the vent line is real important to keep the odor down. We don't use anything in our head, don't flush the tank except for haul out, and don't have an oder. We use our boat a lot too which I think has something to do with it.

 

[T J Furstenau]

Ditto on the vent

When we pump out, I let it run until it starts to suck air, then I stick the fresh water hose in the vent opening, filling the tank from that side while continuing to pump out. I generally keep that up until whats coming out looks clear. Of course, I've got a 1" vent line which makes it MUCH easier to get water into the tank and is MUCH less likely to clog.Then as Terry says, one flush in the head with the appropriate measure of KO. My wife and kids are very particular about "boat smells" and they haven't complained.T J

 

[Lou 14643]

Thanks for all the feedback

This is all great information. I didn't think to pump out last season until after my marina winterized its pump out facility. Hence, I winterized the holding tank and worried about it for four plus months (after adding a gallon or so of anti-freeze to through the head. Everything pumped out fine a few days ago, and I have a fresh tank now, that I want to maintain as well as I can. Your advice is great. Thanks!!