Using Raritan's KO and Odorlos together

[mdj_nola]

I have a 2001 Hunter 320 that has some issues with the holding tank. First, the tank monitor is stuck, the sides of the tank are discolored and the Jabsco macerator pump out port is frozen (the pumping station waste port does work). The previous owner leased out the boat for a couple of years to a chartering firm and I do not believe they took great care of the waste system between charters. I believe (an educated guess, I do not have an inspection port to fully confirm) that materials in the tank were allowed to harden in the bottom of the tank. This is causing the monitor to stick and blocking the macerator port hose on the tank.

The Hunter 320 does not make it easy to change out the holding tank. I was looking to try another possible solution which brings me to the question about using KO and Odorlos possibly together. I was thinking I could add a several gallons of fresh water to the tank and hopefully re-constituting the materials and allow KO (bacteria) with Odorlos's (nutrient for bacteria) help breakdown the mass. I planned to pump out every two weeks (at a pump station) and do this three or four times. I will be leaving the waste pump out cap off to allow plenty of air into the tank. Then after the macerator port is free, I would use a lot of beach for several hours in the tank to clean the sides of the tank of the dis-colorization.

Does anybody know if KO and Odorlos can work together? Also, do these products have a chance to dissolve a harden materials at the bottom of the holding tank?

The rest of the waste system has been upgraded to a freshwater SeaEra toilet with the best waste hose based on Peggy Hall's recommendations. If I cannot get a tank gauge working I will be purchasing the Profile External tank monitor Peggy recommend. Right now, I just wanted to know if I could get the holding tank cleaned up using the plan described above.

Thanks for any comments/suggestions in advance.

 

[Steve Dion]

There are lots of products on the market that "claim" to disolve the sludge. Have you considered using any of these products to see if you can get your sensor going again. Here is a product that I have seen on the web, it is worth a try.

http://trisyn.com/ret-cap/ret-rm-cap.htm

I have no idea if this product actually works, but for $20 it is worth a try.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Does anybody know if KO and Odorlos can work together?Also, do these products have a chance to dissolve a harden materials at the bottom of the holding tank?

Yes, but neither will dissolve hardened sludge, separately or together. I know of nothing that will, that won't also damage the tank and plumbing. The product Steve referenced makes no mention of being able to that either.

There may indeed be some hardened sludge in the bottom of the tank...but that's not what's caused the level monitor sender to stick and it's HIGHLY unlikely that it's blocked the tank discharge port to the macerator ..in fact, I'd be surprised if there are separate ports in the tank for pump out or dumping...it's far more likely that there's a single discharge line with a y-valve--or more likely just a tee--in it. If the macerator motor runs, just doesn't pump out anything, the impeller is either stuck or "fried" due to running dry. If the motor doesn't run, most likely it's not getting any power. The tank sender is most likely glogged with animal fats and sea water minerals.

Step 1. Pump out and THOROUGHLY flush out the tank with lots of clean water.

Step 2. Fill the tank with clean fresh water and at least a gallon of liquid detergent.--Wisk, Tide...LIQUID, not poweder. Go sailing and tack a lot. Let it sit for a day or two...pump out and rinse out again.

That's all the cleaning your tank needs. Replace the tank level monitor if it still doesn't work...repair or replace the macerator...enjoy your boat.

 

[mdj_nola]

Thank you for the advice

Peggy,
Appreciate the information. I will save my time/money and follow your advice. I am going to double check how the discharge line to the macerator pump is connected again. Thank you for the help and happy holidays.