How to recharge holding tank vent filter -- w/pics

Joe, thanx for the heads up on the angle. Mine is flat. I'm waiting for my new holding tank to arrive, I think I will install the relief valve as well. Last year I happened to be looking at the tank during a pump out, and noticed the tank was collapsing. I had to disconnect the vent to relieve the pressure. Filter must be plugged.
 
Just replaced my vent filter with new charcoal and filter pads using my old filter. Thanks for the pics and instructions. Cost me only $15 instead of $100. Here is a hint for those that may be attempting this. Instead of using knee stockings, in order to make sure that both halves of the cut filter is full of charcoal, I just added another filter pad to the cut end of the filter. Having filter pads at the cut ends allowed me to put the two halves together again and not spill any charcoal. I connected the two cut halves together using a 2" connector pipe clamp that didn't lengthen the overall filter making it fit back in place properly. Again thanks for the reusing filter idea. It worked well for me and air now flows nicely through thew filter vent.
 
Making your own can save a lot of money but it takes time! For anyone looking for a great filter for only 44.95, check this out...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160472776825&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I make them and have only great feedback about them. They work great. I use commercial charcoal especially formulated for septic gases. I'll ship for free if you order from me direct by sending a PM.

IMG_3286.jpg
 
So I recharged my holding tank filter, and after only a couple of flushes noticed the "odor" again. In reviewing this blog I see that pellets are recommended over granule. I used granules. Could that be the difference and do I "need" pellets?
Thanks,
Mark
 
I tried this using granular charcoal and had the same problem. I believe that the charcoal settled to the bottom of the tube (which sits horizontal) allowing an air gap along the top of the tube. The vapour from the holding tank could then escape thru the vent without passing thru the charcoal - STINKY!

Ended up going with an "Orange Filter" with the replaceable cartridge and the additional "bypass vent" feature. The vent allows air to enter the tank upon pump outs thru it instead of pulling all that ambient air thru the charcoal filter. Basically, you'll never have a problem with a plugged vent line to empty your tank.
 
Thanks to Ken for the original idea. For the couple of guys that might have had the granules settle and leave a bypass path for the funk to get around the granules, I made a very slight modification to the original design.

Get a chunk of the fish filter foam that is about 3/4 inch thick and cut it so that it is a snug fit in the female threads
Load up the side that has the female threads with the granules till it is about 3/4 from the top. Beat on the pvc with the handle of a screwdriver to get the granules to settle. Do this til it doesn't settle anymore and leaves the 3/4 inch gap. Now stuff the foam in.
Fill the other side with the male fitting right to the top, again beat it with a screwdriver handle to get it to settle- repeat until there is no more settling and the granules are right to the top.
Politely take the female side and turn it downward (the foam should hold the carbon in) and screw it on to the male half.

My hope is that the fish filter foam in between the segments will be compressed initially, and then expand to keep the granules in place as they settle.

I just installed this a week ago so it hasnt been long enough to see this will cure the bypass issue.
Pretty certain my dock neighbor will let me know if there is a problem....:wow:

-Mike
 
I still think its a whole lot better idea to just by one from BetterBoat Products. Have sold hundreds of them and not single complaint.

www.BetterBoatProducts.com


Members here can have them for $39.95. Just PM me before ordering.



PS Excuse some bugs in the web page while it gets upgraded.
 
Jimmy Buoy, Do you have a picture of your "bypass vent"? That sounds like it would be a very good thing. Thanks, JC
 
I do the same as Northshore, pack with charcoal, then filter foam all good for yrs now and costs about $4
 
Jimmy Buoy said:
I tried this using granular charcoal and had the same problem. I believe that the charcoal settled to the bottom of the tube (which sits horizontal) allowing an air gap along the top of the tube. The vapour from the holding tank could then escape thru the vent without passing thru the charcoal - STINKY!

Ended up going with an "Orange Filter" with the replaceable cartridge and the additional "bypass vent" feature. The vent allows air to enter the tank upon pump outs thru it instead of pulling all that ambient air thru the charcoal filter. Basically, you'll never have a problem with a plugged vent line to empty your tank.
Click to expand...

I agree with your observation. Perhaps new filter is packed better than DIY version, so it might be more effective. I'm thinking that repositioning the filter vertically might solve the DIY re-packing issue.

I've never heard of an "orange filter". Can you share more info?
 
Theres no way to get anymore charcoal into the filter when i did mine, you stand it up and pour it in tapping it to settle the material. Theres just no physical room for more and then stuff the foam works perfect everytime.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I came up with a way to fill tight with charcoal and avoid the air gap. Cut and cleanup the 2 halves. Drill a 3/4" hole near the cut on one of the halves and tape the two halves together and fill with a funnel through the hole. Use a wide 2" fernco to connect the two halves and to cover the hole. Works like a charm.
b799e3375549ffa41c4b7cded20ca6a5.jpg

05aff9643045fc15ad4a23d5d8d1e280.jpg

461c0546ce55489dba4bbbde2121781e.jpg
 
Last edited:
Looks good gonna have to try that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I just dump the old stuff out and replace the screen using fish tank filter material then refill with charcoal through one end. Banging the filter to compact the charcoal then plug up with another piece of filter material. done , takes 2 minutes and about $4. Never a problem


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Havana Shamrock said:
I just dump the old stuff out and replace the screen using fish tank filter material then refill with charcoal through one end. Banging the filter to compact the charcoal then plug up with another piece of filter material. done , takes 2 minutes and about $4. Never a problem


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Agreed, I'm not sure why everyone else is cutting in half to empty and refill which would invite an incomplete refill, when you could refill from one end for a complete refill.
 
juggernaut1 said:
Agreed, I'm not sure why everyone else is cutting in half to empty and refill which would invite an incomplete refill, when you could refill from one end for a complete refill.
Click to expand...


If I cut the end off mine, I would have lost about 25 to 35% of the volume.
If I ever built from scratch - yep I would end fill as well.
 
northshore said:
If I cut the end off mine, I would have lost about 25 to 35% of the volume.
If I ever built from scratch - yep I would end fill as well.
Click to expand...

Why is there a need to cut the end off - why is there a need to cut anything? You could just use the method used by Havana Shamrock
 
juggernaut1 said:
Why is there a need to cut the end off - why is there a need to cut anything? You could just use the method used by Havana Shamrock
Click to expand...


If you have ever accidentally over filled your holding tank (the major reason why fart filters fail prematurely), the charcoal becomes a fairly solid mass, yes I imagine if you used a pick to pull the 2 inch diameter foam out of the 1/2 opening and then beat it senseless you could get the bulk of the charcoal out. Hoping of course that the foam at the other end of the tube stays put. Then again, you could just unscrew the cap and achieve the same result a lot easier. Either way works.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,116
Messages
1,426,363
Members
61,028
Latest member
ddbyrd329
Back
Top