holding tank smells

[floatinaround3]

Any suggestions about how to control a smelly holding tank

 

[Sundancer]

There are many things that can cause the odors. Ideally you want the natural bacteria to do it's job to control the smell. Anerobic or aerobic bacteria need differing amounts of oxygen. I get confused which is which, but you can try an enzyme based product like Odorlos first to see how it works. It generates oxygen in a tank where there is little natural oxygen available and helps the bacteria do it's job. Don't add any chemicals while cleaning the toilet or attempting to treat the toilet that will kill the bacteria. Adding things like oil that float on the surface will make it difficult for the bacteria to exchange oxygen which disrupts the balance.

There could be other issues at work that can be as simple as a leaky tank or hose, permeated hose (old hoses tend to stink and replacing them will make a big difference.), time between pumpouts or it could be chemicals added to the system. There is a book written on this subject! I'd try the simple stuff like Odorlos and see how it works first. Make sure you have a thorough rinse and flush first and it may take a few days if you've used chemicals in the past to allow the bacteria to establish itself in the tank.

 

[Dave S]

You don't mention what boat you have and whether you have a vacu-flush system. But I will assume it's a vacu-flush for purposes of my reply.

Not to be critical, but be sure your toilet bowl is clean. Many times what you perceive as a smelly holding tank is really the toilet bowl that needs cleaning. This has happened to us a few times as well and that's why I mention it. Now if you are smelling odors while you are in the cockpit or outside of the boat you probably need to replace your holding tank filter.

 

[estebanj]

I would check the following:

* Air vent to tank... it could be clogged.
* Hose from toilet to tank... it could be old and permeated (sp?).
* Don't mix chemicals... pick one brand/king and stick to it, and I think those that help with aerobic bacteria (Odorloss) work better than those that only serve to mask the odor.

Does it smell all the time or only when flushing? Inside the cabin or outside?

Esteban

 

[Four Suns]

eat better.

And fill out your signature so we know more than "why does a tank smell that is holding poop in it".

 

[Sundancer]

eat better.

ROTFLMAO!!!! That's hilarious!! Well put!!

 

[Presentation]

Any suggestions about how to control a smelly holding tank

Need more information.

When does it smell? All the time or only when you flush?

Where does it smell? Out the air vent hole or in the bielge or in the cabin?

What boat do you have? Model / year

What type of head? Vac-u-flush / port-a-potti? / manual?

 

[First Born]

http://clubsearay.com/forum/faq.php?faq=new_user#faq_profile

In order for people to be able to answer your questions there are two things that you will want to include in your profile/signature. Your location (this will usually tell if you are a salt water or fresh water boater). The second is the year, model, and motor/drive of your boat. We have decided not to require this during the registration process however if you want the best answers for your questions it should be in your signature. If a new member joins take a second to tell them to complete their signature with this information. In the end it just makes it easier for everyone.

 

[Four Suns]

Need more information.

When does it smell? All the time or only when you flush?

Where does it smell? Out the air vent hole or in the bielge or in the cabin?

What boat do you have? Model / year

What type of head? Vac-u-flush / port-a-potti? / manual?

Well, all he's saying is that his/her holding tank smells.. He/she said nothing about the head, vent, etc.

The correct response is probably "that's normal" or "Do you think your sh** doesn't stink?"

 

[LtCdr. Augs]

Blue stuff....works great.

RVAugs

 

[fwebster]

Wesley,

Thank you........

This isn't a criticism for newer members, but without specifics on the boat and location all you can hope for are "shotgun" answers that are so general in nature that they are useless. Further, some of the more experienced members won't respond to your questions if they have to ask qualifying questions, wait until you figure out we are not going to stalk you, wait for your answer, then check back for the boat type.

In this case, Sea Ray has used many different holding tank configurations, as many macerators, and several different heads, several plumbing layouts and all may affect your answer.

 

[ghuskin]

I like Gary's answers best.

 

[Sundancer]

I like Gary's answers best.

I've always been a bird hunter!! Hence the shotgun approach hoping to help owners understand the many subtle aspects of holding tank maintenance! I still like the "eat better" answer!

In regards to the blue stuff, I used that in porta-potties only. The chemicals kill the bacteria and then they mask the smell with perfume. Then you add more chemicals to mask the smell and you end up in a battle you can't win. I don't see that as a solution for a holding tank system.

 

[jg300da]

http://clubsearay.com/forum/faq.php?faq=new_user#faq_profile

In order for people to be able to answer your questions there are two things that you will want to include in your profile/signature. Your location (this will usually tell if you are a salt water or fresh water boater). The second is the year, model, and motor/drive of your boat. We have decided not to require this during the registration process however if you want the best answers for your questions it should be in your signature. If a new member joins take a second to tell them to complete their signature with this information. In the end it just makes it easier for everyone.

Wesley, maybe this should be a pre-requisite.
Not sure which is worse, hearing members who are trying to help, continually ask for pertinent info, or reading the half witted comments due to lack of it.

 

[fwebster]

This isn't the first time that making pertinient information a mandatory field in the registration process has been suggested. The answer I got, the day after I joined CSR, was "We don't want to make it hard to register or make it restrictive because that would limit membership".........and we certainly wouldn't want to make it harder for an x-rated site or a robot to register, for all the good they do us.

So, if the basic information needed to give the member the right answer is not apparent, I usually don't invest the time to ferret it out or to offer help.

You guys that have the time to write shotgun answers covering all the variables and possibilities, then go for it! Just keep in mind that when you tell the guy with the smelly head that he needs to flush out and clean the hose to his macerator that he may not even have a macerator and he may spend hours trying to find it.

 

[Presentation]

Well, all he's saying is that his/her holding tank smells.. He/she said nothing about the head, vent, etc.

The correct response is probably "that's normal" or "Do you think your sh** doesn't stink?"

…..or “How did you get in your holding tank to smell it?”

)

 

[Four Suns]

Not sure which is worse, hearing members who are trying to help, continually ask for pertinent info, or reading the half witted comments due to lack of it.

Half·-wit·ted
a. (-tĕd)
Weak in intellect;

I tried to ask for pertinent info as well as writing a half witted comment so I guess I covered all the bases. I need to head back over now and get the update on cr0ck1's colonoscopy.

 

[jg300da]

Yeah, let us knOw hOw that's gOing....

 

[First Born]

I hesitate to respond to this because I know I am not going to win this arguement. Here is what I will tell you, if someone does not have the information in their signature and it is more than their first post and you do not feel like responding to it, don't. There are people on the board that usually when someone makes their first posting will tell them to put their boat information in their signature, if they choose to ignore this advise it is their loss. You should also notice this is not really a problem anymore except for a couple of users.

In life sometimes you have to play the cards that are dealt, and these are our cards.

Wesley

 

[Bridog]

Yeah, let us knOw hOw that's gOing....

YOur tOO much!:grin: