Houseboat holding tanks odor.?

Question

I bought a houseboat that had sat for several years unattended and there was waste in the holding tank. This holding tank is metal. Since the day we bought it, this tank has an odor when the head is flushed. We have tried numerous chemicals to rid the tank of it's smell. Does any one have any suggestions, how to get rid of this smell?

Answer 1

One of the better products that I've used for controlling head owners is called "K.O." (Kills Odors) and its made by Raritan. They also make a companion product called "C.P." (Cleans Potties). It's a little expensive, but it goes a long way. They're both bioenzymatic, which means no formaldehyde.

Also, it's best to replace all the hoses if the smell is that bad. Sealand's hose is expensive but is definitely the best. If your head is seawater flushed, then there's a good chance this is another source of odor (microorganisms in the seawater decompose and cause the odor). A charcoal filter on the vent line is a temporary solution - what you really need is good ventilation into the tank. Aerobic decomposition doesn't produce the odors, anaerobic decomposition does.

It's gonna be a shitty job, but if you replace the old hoses, use the KO, and make sure the vent line is clear, you'll be able to get rid of the odors.

Answer 2

I see several possibilities for the odor. One previous answer addressed the sink drain. If it goes to the holding tank instead of over the side it should have a trap with standing water the same as a house sink. If you have an RV style toilet it may open directly to the tank, hence the odor when flushing. A marine toilet has at least one valve plus a pump or two between the toilet and tank. The metal tank could be trouble. Any metal tank could be corroded with tiny leaks that can cause nasty things. Fiberglass or a molded poly tank would be good replacements. On boats the most frequent causes are old hoses that the nastys eventually start to soak through or venting issues. There are a variety of chemicals sold claiming to break down solids and eliminate odor at RV and marine stores. I tried several and finally made a major improvement to my boat for under $30. I went to the pet store and got an aquarium air pump. It uses almost no power and the hose is run into a small brass pipe in a fitting on the top of the tank. Oxygen causes different bacteria to live in the tank and they cause no odor now. Works well for about a year so far. Good luck!

Answer 3

Elizabeth K. is right the odor may be coming from your carbon in the filter. It's function, is to help to reduce the odor from your tank. Have you replaced it lately? If you put some fresh carbon in the odors will be cut down. I usually replace mine 3-4 times a year at the minimum. Some years not as often but, I do partial water changes 3-4 times a month too. You should also take your filters apart and give them a good rinse and scrub with running water and No Soap or Bleach, to remove the algae growth from the box of your filters. I use bio balls and sponge with activated charcoal in mine so I'll just rinse the balls off and squeeze the accumulated matter in the sponge out (it don't have be cleaned to a sparkling condition). The smell will be reduced or eliminated if you do this regularly. you don't have to worry about recycling the tank too, because, the filter and the tank has already the necessary culture in it already. As for the white build up outside the filter, that's mineral deposits from the water's evaporation and can be cleaned off with one of those green scrub pads and a little white vinegar and a good rinse. My tank is a "Meta-frame" 55 gallon nearly 40 years old and it's still in great shape, because this is what I do to remove the stains.

Answer 4

As long as your tanks are metal, you may want to try a drain cleaner. You need to turn the solids into liquid, so you can flush it out. That's what drain cleaners do. Please be careful not to breath the fumes. It could cause you problems. Another thing, you might try septic tank additive. That also liquefies solids. and adds bacteria. The latter may have to sit for a few days to work. Adding cleaners will not break up the solids. After you get it cleaned out, then the cleaners or bleach may take care of the rest. Pour a little down each drain to be sure you get it all. You could have some unwanted things in the pee traps. Good luck, and happy boating. My favorite pass time. You may have to fill these tanks some for this to work.

Answer 5

Well, I was going to mention a chemical they use in Camping Trailers. They sell it at Wal-Wort. You may want to remove the tank and inspect it for holes. When it removed you could try cleaning with Bleach/Pine-Sol, but, I making a guess on ways to do a real good cleaning to be sure everything clean. Also, you may want to inspect the head and sink to be sure they OK. The sink may be attached to the holding tank and when you flush the smell be coming back through the sink drain. I would have to see to know. But, people connect things in many ways, and we can only know by looking.

Answer 6

The chemicals will help but the smell is probably coming from the tank vent they sell a charcoal vent filter kit that works great.

Answer 7

Often the hoses become a bit pourous over the years. The vent could be partially plugged, or something as simple as loose hose clamps.