Holding Tank Replacement

A

AustinPaul

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I told my boat shop that it's time for 'the nasty'. A no-rush winter project. He knew immediately what I was talking about. Time to replace the holding tank and lines!

Mine is not particularly bad, but at 25+ years, it's time. What I have is more of a sulfur kind of smell. I have a really good nose and want freshness in the cabin!

My question is for those of you who have replaced your tank and hoses- have you experienced a noticeable difference in the odor in the cabin?

On another note - we have already done the measurements and unfortunately I am not able to go much larger on the tank. It's pretty small (not sure of exact size) and owing to the size of the opening in the cabin sole, we are only going to be able to go up about 5-6 gallons. Bummer.

PaulS
 
The sulfur smell has nothing to do with hose permeation or the tank, but air escaping outside the system. I guess if access is good, it s not a big deal to replace the tank otherwise check the fittings especially the gauge sender, they often leak a bit of air when the tank fills.

Hoses do permeate over time, rub a rag nt eh hose and smell it. If it smells it s time to replace. But replacing the tank is an overkill
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

The sulfur smell has nothing to do with hose permeation or the tank, but air escaping outside the system. I guess if access is good, it s not a big deal to replace the tank otherwise check the fittings especially the gauge sender, they often leak a bit of air when the tank fills.

Hoses do permeate over time, rub a rag nt eh hose and smell it. If it smells it s time to replace. But replacing the tank is an overkill

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Funny is that I have wiped the tank with a damp rag and had the sulpher smell. I have had my nose all over ever part of that system over the years. My water tank of the same material and vintage cracked a few years ago - but it was also 100 gallons and of course, was much more strained. Lord help me if I ever had that issue with the holding tank. We don't even use it for #2 - but still.

Thanks!
 
"We don't even use it for #2"

There is the source of the problem. In simplest of terms, you need naturally occurring bacteria to control odor ( in a non-formaldehyde system ) and those little buggies need #2 for food. If you have no "food", then you simply have a chemical waste tank, complete with odors and Ph issues. ( Peggie Hall's book about boat odors comes to mind... )
 
quote:
Originally posted by Radioactive

"We don't even use it for #2"

There is the source of the problem. In simplest of terms, you need naturally occurring bacteria to control odor ( in a non-formaldehyde system ) and those little buggies need #2 for food. If you have no "food", then you simply have a chemical waste tank, complete with odors and Ph issues. ( Peggie Hall's book about boat odors comes to mind... )

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So how does one (no pun intended) deodorize a tank with no #2?
 
In Biloxi we have what is known as the lee side rail.
 
quote:
Originally posted by AustinPaul

........... We don't even use it for #2 - but still.
Click to expand...

What happens when the urge for "#2" hits?

A properly installed and functioning marine sanitation system can handle #2 as well as #1 (and single ply paper as well). I would hate to have to tell my wife or a guest that they have to hold their poop until we get back home.
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It's not a good idea to only allow #1 in the holding tank. A properly vented and maintained holding tank needs #2 to work properly.
My boat had an old 25 gallon Aluminum tank, it had deteriorated to the point it was leaking. Taking the old tank and lines out revealed a thick yellow cake like substance between it and the hull.
I thought the boat would never smell good again. After the tank was removed I started by scraping out the yellow crud, then I disenfected the forward bilge with bleach and water. I let it dry for a few days and then painted the forward bilge. I replaced the old Aluminum tank with a 36 gallon thick Poly tank. All the hoses were replaced. It's been about 7 years and I have no odors and the forward bilge stays dry. I installed a 2nd vent on the holding tank as well.
I don't use any deoderizors they do more harm than good.
Good luck it can be a messy job but I ended up with a larger holding tank and finding and eliminating the "source" of the odor.
Bill
 
I use Odorlos, a biological product that helps to decompose the waste and it seems to work. It's important to follow the directions and not add anything that will kill it like bleach or toilet bowl cleaner.

Pet stores sell products intended to eliminate stains and odors from pet "accidents". They work as well on human waste so if you've had a leak, they would certainly help to eliminate the odors.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

quote:
Originally posted by AustinPaul

........... We don't even use it for #2 - but still.
Click to expand...

What happens when the urge for "#2" hits?

A properly installed and functioning marine sanitation system can handle #2 as well as #1 (and single ply paper as well). I would hate to have to tell my wife or a guest that they have to hold their poop until we get back home.

Click to expand...
What happens when the urge hits and you're on a boat all day with no head? I guess you hold it or should have planned better.
Click to expand...
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

It's not a good idea to only allow #1 in the holding tank. A properly vented and maintained holding tank needs #2 to work properly.
My boat had an old 25 gallon Aluminum tank, it had deteriorated to the point it was leaking. Taking the old tank and lines out revealed a thick yellow cake like substance between it and the hull.
I thought the boat would never smell good again. After the tank was removed I started by scraping out the yellow crud, then I disenfected the forward bilge with bleach and water. I let it dry for a few days and then painted the forward bilge. I replaced the old Aluminum tank with a 36 gallon thick Poly tank. All the hoses were replaced. It's been about 7 years and I have no odors and the forward bilge stays dry. I installed a 2nd vent on the holding tank as well.
I don't use any deoderizors they do more harm than good.
Good luck it can be a messy job but I ended up with a larger holding tank and finding and eliminating the "source" of the odor.
Bill

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Thanks for actually answering my question Bill. I don't have holding tank odors per se, but I think given the age of the tank, it's not out of line to have slight odor eminating from the outside of the tank and lines. No one has ever thought my boat cabin stinks or anything, and I have asked my good friends. I just happen to have a very sensitive nose. I always have.

Thanks!
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

I use Odorlos, a biological product that helps to decompose the waste and it seems to work. It's important to follow the directions and not add anything that will kill it like bleach or toilet bowl cleaner.

Pet stores sell products intended to eliminate stains and odors from pet "accidents". They work as well on human waste so if you've had a leak, they would certainly help to eliminate the odors.

Click to expand...
Yep - I have used that before.
 
A holding tank can handle 2 ply paper just fine. Just test it for ease of break down by putting one sheet in a jar of water and shake the jar 5 or 6 times. If the sheet breaks up you're good to go.

The rag test works well. But it works best if you soak the rag in hot water then wrap it around the hose and leave it there for a while. Then smell it.

If you are going to the trouble of replacing the tank I would make sure it is a good quality thick walled one. And see if you can add a second vent line and/or increase the size of your vent line to get good air flow into the tank.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

A holding tank can handle 2 ply paper just fine. Just test it for ease of break down by putting one sheet in a jar of water and shake the jar 5 or 6 times. If the sheet breaks up you're good to go.

The rag test works well. But it works best if you soak the rag in hot water then wrap it around the hose and leave it there for a while. Then smell it.

If you are going to the trouble of replacing the tank I would make sure it is a good quality thick walled one. And see if you can add a second vent line and/or increase the size of your vent line to get good air flow into the tank.

Click to expand...
Gents - I appreciate the comments overall. But note that I am not having issues with the function of the system. The best maintained systems will eventually experience aging and permeation. I am simply replacing a system that is due. Being proactive if you will.

I was more interested in the after effects of replacing systems. I just want to have my boat smell nice and fresh and minimize stale odors.

Thanks,
Paul
 
I wouldn't go to the trouble and expense of replacing the tank itself unless you have determined that it is actually permeated and causing the odor. The hoses, on the other hand, usually become permeated after a few years. Use the rag test on them, especially if there is a place where sewage remains in the hose.

The pet store products I mentioned above will treat any areas where sewage might have been spilled during maintenance. And of course, if possible, empty and flush the entire system before taking it apart.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

I wouldn't go to the trouble and expense of replacing the tank itself unless you have determined that it is actually permeated and causing the odor. The hoses, on the other hand, usually become permeated after a few years. Use the rag test on them, especially if there is a place where sewage remains in the hose.

The pet store products I mentioned above will treat any areas where sewage might have been spilled during maintenance. And of course, if possible, empty and flush the entire system before taking it apart.

Click to expand...
Ron, my water tank, also from '87, cracked and then split. Given the age of the tank, I would rather act proactively. There are no strong odors and no spillage has occured of which I am aware.

Thanks for your input.

Paul
 
quote:
Originally posted by AustinPaul

quote:
Originally posted by Capt. Bill1

A holding tank can handle 2 ply paper just fine. Just test it for ease of break down by putting one sheet in a jar of water and shake the jar 5 or 6 times. If the sheet breaks up you're good to go.

The rag test works well. But it works best if you soak the rag in hot water then wrap it around the hose and leave it there for a while. Then smell it.

If you are going to the trouble of replacing the tank I would make sure it is a good quality thick walled one. And see if you can add a second vent line and/or increase the size of your vent line to get good air flow into the tank.

Click to expand...
Gents - I appreciate the comments overall. But note that I am not having issues with the function of the system. The best maintained systems will eventually experience aging and permeation. I am simply replacing a system that is due. Being proactive if you will.

I was more interested in the after effects of replacing systems. I just want to have my boat smell nice and fresh and minimize stale odors.

Thanks,
Paul

Click to expand...


And having proper air flow in and out of your new holding tank will help you achieve that goal. :-)

That and using the best quality hose, fittings and clamps.
 
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