Foul odor

M

MarkMuck

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
362
Messages
264
Two toilets and one holding tank. Everything smells fine inside. No leaks anywhere. But when I walk by the side I sometimes get a foul odor. I guess from the vent line? Is there something I can do to treat the tank?
 
Replace the filter. There usually is an inline filter between tank and vent. If not, you need to install one. Very easy to do.
 
I highly recommend OdorL0S Enzyme enhancement/ treatments. It will get the proper bacteria/ Enzymes working and the odors should go away. Make sure your tanks vent isn't blocked by mud Wasps or that your filter(s) aren't clogged.
Bill
 
You have to start with a clean system so do what Bill said but first flush the tank in case you ever used anything that will kill the microbes. Also change the filter. Don't use any bleach etc to clean toilets after you get the microbes going.
 
IMO, vent filters are a solution of last resort. First, try to get the biology of the holding tank working properly with a product like OdorLos. Also, make certain the vent line is as short as possible with very little bends and no kinks as well as being the largest diameter possible. If there is a vent filter already you should probably replace it.
 
I'm a big fan of filters and refilling them myself for a few dollars makes it a cheap solution! I just refilled my last week and what a major difference it makes.
 
Ok. I could not see a filter in the vent line. Do they all have filters.
 
filters are a band aid fix MikeeH is correct ...also anyone on high dosage of antibiotics can knock the system out in a holding tank
 
I have to differ with Anchor Management. Very few boats have a filter. In fact I am aware of only one boat so equipped in my marina.
Al
 
Most of the boats in my marina have filters it must be a local thing?
A filter is not needed once you get the chemistry right in the tank.
Bill
 
I'm our area most boats have filters I have seen very few without them!
Maybe it a size things I don't know about the smaller boats it's possible that many of them don't have them but I don't know of a single boat of my friends that don't have them and I have a lot of boating friends.
Maintaining the right chemistry can be tough but when don't right it works however a clean filter usually does the trick.
 
Chemistry is certainly a good fix. However, when it goes wrong and until you figure it out, everyone around you suffers. I have seen plenty of posts on here with folks complaining they can't seem to get it right. There is nothing wrong with doing both and it is a relatively cheap insurance policy. You can also rig a filter so you can replace the charcoal for a couple bucks so you don't have to buy a new filter when they are no longer working.
 
Odorlos, and frequent pump-outs are all you need. Filters are part of the problem, not part of the solution.
 
Hogan-Why are they part of the problem? I have never had an issue. I pump out frequently, flush until pump is clear, use the blue stuff and replace my filter on a fairly regular basis. Not sure how a filter can do anything but help. I certainly have been the victim of fellow boaters who have been trying to get their "system in order".
 
Using the blue stuff is asking for problems. You need to flush your tank completely, then use an enzyme product like Odorlos. Your tank needs a flow or air and out. Filters block that flow and the result is a stinky tank.

It takes a few times to flush out the chemicals that just mask odors and kill the enzymes, but once you get it working, you will have no more problems.
 
I guess there is more then one way to skin a cat. I have been doing it my way for many years and never had an issue.
 
The vent allows the tank to breathe.
If the tank stinks then it's just a matter of time for the filter to stink.
Fix the stink, then the vent is just a vent and doing it's job and the filter is actually optional!

I used Odorlos or KO, both work well!
 
Use Odorlos if you don't have a big vent line, use KO if you get plenty of air in your tank.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Get-Rid-Boat-Odors-Aggravation/dp/1892399156
 
Start with fixing your chemistry. Odorlos after a good tank flushing. You can refill a Sealand filter for a couple of bucks or spend upwards of $100 for a new one. My choice for a replacement is a "Big Orange." Google it and you'll see why.
 
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