Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I've had some problem with my holding tank and odor. After pulling the tank which was a total nightmare. It is ok (not cracked). I believe the problem was at the lower connection. At any rate, I'm going to replace all the hoses. What is the best place to go for marine hoses?
In the past I replaced also the ordinary PVC hose with Vetus Sanitary hoses. They are a little expensive, but worth it. However the odor was not fixed completely. I think that the problem was the permeable waste tank. You can find many web blogs of guys with the same problem. Unfortunately I then sold the boat so problem was fixed for me
If you want to be sure, just do a quick test if it's the hose and/or the tank itself. Just wipe the tank with damp paper towel and then sniff it. If it stinks, than you have to replace the tank too.
I used Trident 101. Its good stuff, but a bit expensive. Worth the money. I used it and a new holding tank and haven't had a smell yet. With that and the extra tank ventilation, you can't tell the boat has a head.
Don't forget that the tank has a vent and you are usually sitting down wind of the vent. They sell charcoal inline vent filters but you can easily make one out of PVC pipe,2 hose nipples and charcoal from the pet supply store. The charcoal is used in fish tank filters. Put the charcoal inside a stocking then into the PVC tube, Screw the cap on and put it somewhere in the vent hose.
Other threads on the Forum in the past have stressed the idea of flushing a marine toilet only with fresh water, not seawater (or lake water, I guess). I do that with mine. Seawater causes the waste to generate considerably more rotten smells, from all the microbial life in the water, which makes sense. Lakewater could be similar.
I use one spray of bilge deodorant/sanitizer - the dark blue stuff - with every flush also. When I recently pumped out my holding tank at the marina, I had an unfortunate spill that I will not describe! I was surprised to find that the sludge and liquid that spilled had hardly any odor! The blue stuff really works.
These 2 ideas are independent of replacing your hoses, but they may help you in the long run minimize odor.
Thanks guys, I actually had a leak from the connection which was causing the problem. I just want to replace the hoses at this point as they are so old. On lake, so seawater is not a factor.
Other threads on the Forum in the past have stressed the idea of flushing a marine toilet only with fresh water, not seawater (or lake water, I guess). I do that with mine. Seawater causes the waste to generate considerably more rotten smells, from all the microbial life in the water, which makes sense. Lakewater could be similar.
I use one spray of bilge deodorant/sanitizer - the dark blue stuff - with every flush also. When I recently pumped out my holding tank at the marina, I had an unfortunate spill that I will not describe! I was surprised to find that the sludge and liquid that spilled had hardly any odor! The blue stuff really works.
These 2 ideas are independent of replacing your hoses, but they may help you in the long run minimize odor.
When I first got my boat the odor was pretty strong. Not knowing any better I just opened the sea-cock and flushed using water from the bay.
I don't use my head much anymore but after reading about using fresh water only for flushing on this forum 4 or 5 years ago I started bringing a 1 gallon plastic jug of water with me when I go sailing. I haven't had any problems since. Even after the boat has been closed up for 5 or 6 weeks there is no odor from the head.
I've had some problem with my holding tank and odor. After pulling the tank which was a total nightmare. It is ok (not cracked). I believe the problem was at the lower connection. At any rate, I'm going to replace all the hoses. What is the best place to go for marine hoses?
I'm not sure of best place to go, but I noticed in their most recent issue that Practical Sailor recommends Shields Marine Poly-X hose. They write: "After 30 months, the Shields Marine Poly-X hose was flawless, showing no permeation, and it comes with a lifetime warranty against permeation. At $19.62 per foot, it isn't cheap, but when it came to controlling odor, this was money well spent." Hope that helps.
There are some at about 1/2 half that price that are also very good, but that 30 month test was with liquid waste actually sitting in the hose. Pretty impressive! Read the original P/S test articles for ratings of the various products. Cheap stinks.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.