Holding tank

Addendum1 · 06-12-2018, 08:10 PM

We have a Mainship 400 which is located at a marina. We occupy it on the weekends but do not utilize the head on a regular basis. Any suggestions on how to eliminate the strong pungent smell that it produces on regular weekend flushes for maintenance to circulate water. We always use the marina restrooms.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Comodave · 06-12-2018, 08:21 PM

You need more air flow in the holding tank. Check your vent, it is probably very small and convoluted which will restrict air flow. Best plan is adding another vent on the opposite side of the boat to allow air to flow through. Anaerobic bacteria is what smells, aerobic bacteria does not. Get Peggie Halls book on boat odors. It is a very good source to all you need to know about heads and related systems.

HeadMistress · 06-12-2018, 08:27 PM

Get Peggie Hall's book on boat odors. It is a very good source to all you need to know about heads and relared systems.

I can't argue with that advice!

You'll find a link to it in my signature below...just click on the title in bold. And I'm always glad to answer any questions it doesn't.

--Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

Addendum1 · 06-12-2018, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comodave

You need more air flow in the holding tank. Check your vent, it is probably very small and convoluted which will restrict air flow. Best plan is adding another vent on the opposite side of the boat to allow air to flow through. Anaerobic bacteria is what smells, aerobic bacteria does not. Get Peggie Halls book on boat odors. It is a very good source to all you need to know about heads and related systems.

Thank you

Addendum1 · 06-12-2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadMistress

Get Peggie Hall's book on boat odors. It is a very good source to all you need to know about heads and relared systems.

I can't argue with that advice!

You'll find a link to it in my signature below...just click on the title in bold. And I'm always glad to answer any questions it doesn't.

--Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

I appreciate your input

Steve91T · 06-12-2018, 10:18 PM

You aren’t drinking enough. I’m pretty sure I pee straight rum. Bacteria can’t survive in my holding tank.

Comodave · 06-12-2018, 10:32 PM

In lieu of a second vent, you can install a Groco Sweetank. That will pump air into the tank and will solve the problem. It maybe a much easier fix than a second vent.

Rain Dog · 06-12-2018, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addendum1

We have a Mainship 400 which is located at a marina. We occupy it on the weekends but do not utilize the head on a regular basis. Any suggestions on how to eliminate the strong pungent smell that it produces on regular weekend flushes for maintenance to circulate water. We always use the marina restrooms.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Are you flushing with fresh water or salt water?

dhays · 06-12-2018, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comodave

You need more air flow in the holding tank. Check your vent, it is probably very small and convoluted which will restrict air flow. Best plan is adding another vent on the opposite side of the boat to allow air to flow through. Anaerobic bacteria is what smells, aerobic bacteria does not. Get Peggie Halls book on boat odors. It is a very good source to all you need to know about heads and related systems.

+1. Buy Peggie’s book.

Comodave · 06-12-2018, 11:58 PM

My assumption was that you were referring to smell that is expelled overboard when the head is flushed. If you are referring to a smell inside the boat when the head is flushed then the problem likely is a seawater flush and the microorganisms that die inside the intake hose between uses. The easiest fix for that is to go to a freshwater flush head.

Addendum1 · 06-13-2018, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve91T

You aren’t drinking enough. I’m pretty sure I pee straight rum. Bacteria can’t survive in my holding tank.

Addendum1 · 06-13-2018, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Dog

Are you flushing with fresh water or salt water?

Fresh water

auskiwi · 06-13-2018, 06:38 AM

I always turn off
thru hull sea cocks on leaving my boat, then flush well with fresh water, leaving fresh water in the bowl with a little disinfectant added, never had a problem with any of my boats with smell.

RT Firefly · 06-13-2018, 06:44 AM

Greetings,
We do exactly the same as Mr. ausk. No smells either.

Cliff Meima · 06-13-2018, 07:02 AM

Flush with freshwater.

Deckape · 06-13-2018, 07:47 AM

By freshwater ,they mean water from the boats freshwater tank, not outside freshwater. Just to be sure.

**Shrew** · 06-13-2018, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comodave

My assumption was that you were referring to smell that is expelled overboard when the head is flushed.

This was my assumption as well. I think we need to clarify whether this is an odor in the head and cabin, or whether the cockpit and dock are getting gassed out.

If this is an exterior odor, then this is the displacement of gasses in the holding tank when fluid is flushed into the tank. An in-line holding tank vent filter should be installed. We replace ours roughly every 6 months.

Steve91T · 06-13-2018, 08:46 AM

Ahh! I’ve been wondering why sometime when we flush we get a terrible smell outside. Also when we had the boat in Charleston in salt water, the head would stink, especially the first flush after being away for a while. Now that it’s in fresh water, it’s not that bad at all.

All makes sense now.

ranger42c · 06-13-2018, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addendum1

We have a Mainship 400 which is located at a marina. We occupy it on the weekends but do not utilize the head on a regular basis. Any suggestions on how to eliminate the strong pungent smell that it produces on regular weekend flushes for maintenance to circulate water. We always use the marina restrooms.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Several folks have mentioned vents and filters relative to exterior odors when you flush.

An easy check is to learn whether you actually have a vent filter, and if you do, when it was last changed. Could be as easy as replacing it with a new one, if it's been a very long time. (We get 3-4 years from our filter.)

OTOH, if you have a filter and if you know it's new, some of the other suggestions may apply... but adding new vents lines and/or increasing vent hose size could be a lot of work... to avoid if you can.

If you mean interior odor when you flush, that's maybe a couple different things. An easy one to check is whether your joker valve needs replacing... and another is about whether hose connections at the head and holding tank are secure.

Also, many folks treat their holding tanks, ideally with products designed to promote and/or sustain aerobic bacteria. Names like NoFlex, KO, Odorlos...

-Chris

bayview · 06-13-2018, 09:16 AM

Yes if you are flushing with potable water and the smell is external then try using KO. It worked for me.
Once you get it under control dont use bleach or most cleansers in the head they will kill the good bacteria.