can i use bleach in the holding tank?

A

Albin 28 TE

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27180
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When we flush, the holding tank vent produces a foul smell. We use raritan KO.

It is a vacu-flush head that uses fresh water (from the water tank).

We have not pumped out since May (little usage of the head).

I've read many of the posts, but i was wondering what you thought of bleachig the tank with clorox then try to start over with a KO/Oderlos combination?

Thank you in advance for your comments.
 
KO is a live bacteria; bleach kills bacteria - you can't mix them. My suggestion would be to pump out the tank, then rinse it out two or three times (fill it with clean water, and pump out). Then add the correct amount of KO and start from scratch. One thing to note, if your vent line from the tank is less than 3/4" I.D., KO probably won't work. KO requires a good flow of air into the tank, as it needs oxygen to do its job.

Odorlos works better when you have a small diameter vent line because it generates its own oxygen from the nitrates in the sewage inside the tank.

However if the toilet is being used for urine only, and you aren't also adding #2, neither one of the additives will work. You've got to have something inside there to feed the bacteria or they'll die. Urine (unless you're a very sick person) is sterile and has no nutrients for the bacteria to feed on.
 
I had the same foul smell from the vent on my 3 year old Vacuflush system. I changes the vent filter and all was well. I've used Odorloss with great result since.
 
Mud brings up a good point. If you haven't pumped out for a few months and if you have a vent filter I'll bet you haven't changed it for quite a while. As Vic said, you need three ingrediants to make you take work right; solid waste, the right bacteria additive and circulating fresh air. If any one of those is absent you've got stink. I would do as Vic said but also look for a vent filter. If one is in place you need to remove it as it is likely clogged now and blocking air flow. Try using the tank without the filter before going to the expense of replacing it.

One more thing. If you have been "dropping a duece" in the tank and haven't pumped it out for a while you may have sludge at the bottom that won't flush out easily. If that's the case you'll need to take more drastic measures.... we'll cover that later asx I'm tired of typing!!

Good luck and let us know how you make out.
 
well if he removes the filter, the smell is not going to go away.

if the smell is a problem because of the vent location, then adding a filter or replacing the old one is the only solution.

i dont' have a filter on my boat, but the vent is below the rub rail at the bow and we almost never smell anything unless the wind is wrong... in this case the risks of using a filter (clogging and distording) the tank aren't worth it.

if the vent is close to where you sit or hang out, then a filter is a necessary evil. jsut make sure it never gets wet and change it every 2 to 3 years.
 
Pascal... first you said, "well if he removes the filter, the smell is not going to go away" as if that is a fact. Each vessel is different and a blanket statement is not valid.

If a filter is the only obstruction to air flow and the other two necessary conditions are met the smell will probably go away. The fact is (and Vic will support this) use of a vent filter is a last resort solution, not the place to start. Many boats with proper vents and sanitation system maintenance do not need a vent filter regardless of where the vent exits the hull. As an example, our Carver had a single 3/4" vent that made a near 90 degree bend before it reached the exit at the hull and no amount of additive, pumpouts, etc solved the stink from the vent, only a filter that was changed at every spring re-commissioning made the smell go away. On the other hand, our Silverton had two 1 1/2" vent lines, each exited on opposite sides of the hull, and we never had a stink problem. Vent filters treat a symptom, not a cause although at about $70-90 a shot the folks who make them would like you to think otherwise.
 
Sorry Pascal, this time I gotta go along with what Mike says. It's no secret that I'm no fan of vent line filters. In my opinion, it's better to bite the bullet and do it right in the first place. A vent line filter is a last resort when nothing else will work. If the system was laid out and designed properly to begin with, there wouldn't be any problem with odor. -- But trying to get the boat builders to see it that way (and spend an extra $20) and do it right is another story...
 
Folks, Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'll stay away from the bleach and follow your recommendations.

Can you mix the oderloss & ko? Also, is it bad to put more than the suggested amount of ko/oderloss into the tank?

Thnx
 
KO and Odorlos are two different products from two different manufacturers; I wouldn't mix them. Odorlos has to have additional amounts added to the tank periodically; KO is generally good from one pumpout to the next, if put in in the correct amount (4 oz. for every 25 gallons of tank capacity). It won't hurt to put in more than is recommended, but it probably won't help either.
 
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