Smell from Holding Tank

[At Ease]

It has been about two weeks since pump out. I have added about 8 oz. of deodorizer that assist with break down in the holding tank. Last night my boys and I stayed on the boat and we have a rotten egg smell when the head is used. Only number 1 in the holding tank, never number 2. Have I waited longer than I should have before pump out is something else at play here?

 

[H2ONUT]

After a pump-out, do you fill with fresh water and pump-out again?

 

[At Ease]

I did that as well. I am a bit puzzled.

 

[Dancin Dave]

are you sure it not your fresh water system.

 

[At Ease]

I did not think of that. I did use fresh water in the galley sink this morning and did not smell anything.

 

[Presentation]

....we have a rotten egg smell

are you sure it not your fresh water system.

Ditto

How about the other water faucets? Do you get a smell there? It sounds like you filled with water that was high in sulfur.

 

[jrcinnh]

Whenever I got the rotten egg smell it was always a sign of time to change the filter. It's on the holding tank vent. On your boat it may be mounted directly to the holding tank.

http://www.sealandtechnology.com/productpages.asp?pid=67

With only urine in the tank you may have to consider a stronger deodorizer. The type that promise to break down the waste, need solid waste to work.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I had a little more than half full holding tank in rough water and I think I got the filter wet because it smelled like New Jersey every time I used the head afterwards. I changed the filter and no more Jersey smell.

 

[Groucho]

I had a little more than half full holding tank in rough water and I think I got the filter wet because it smelled like New Jersey every time I used the head afterwards. I changed the filter and no more Jersey smell.

:smt038:smt038

 

[Henry Boyd]

Ditto for us on the filter, waiting too long to pump out increases the possibility of the contents sloshing up into the filter and contaminating it.

It is an easy job to replace, and there have been a couple of posts from guys who have cleaned and refilled the filters with aquarium charcoal.

Henry

 

[mrsrobinson]

are you sure it not your fresh water system.

+1, rotten egg smell for us is always the fresh water tank. A little bleach soaking will cure this.

 

[At Ease]

I used two out of three faucets and did not get the smell. I do use a charcoal filter before fresh water goes in the holding tank. As others have suggested, I will check the holding tank filter. Maybe a little bleach in both tanks my be wise...Thanks as always for the info.

 

[Dancin Dave]

if the smell is gone, it probably was the water. Just some stale ole stinky water in a segment of your line. maybe the fresh water feed to your head. You should keep the water flowing as not to let it get stank in the tank!

hope your smelly trouble is gone.

 

[eddiezuskin]

It is not recommended to use bleach in the holding tank. The head chemicals that help to break down waste promote the growth of aerobic(good) bacteria which is required to gobble up the stinky(anerobic) bacteria . Using bleach will kill the good bacteria.
Eddie

 

[eddiezuskin]

I also get the rotten egg smell but it is from the water system. It is worse in the lines than in the tank. After running the stale water out of the lines it is usually much better with the water from the tank. Last weekend I used some of that RV water chlorinater chemical that is supposed to keep water tank from growing smelly bacteria. It was the first time I've used it after the rotten egg smell had already begun. I added it at the water fill and circulated it with the transom shower running back into the tank. We all agreed that chlorine smells better than sulphur.
Eddie