backinblue
Guru
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2019
- Messages
- 3,938
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Blue Moon
- Vessel Make
- Mainship Pilot 355
I have the same issue of a odor on using vacuflush. Odor is inside and at vent.
Start by seeing my reply to Backinblue.
I am replacing hatch gaskets to contain smell.
I'm pretty sure you're actually mean you're attempting to contain odor inside the boat to the inside of a locker...but why would you want to do that instead of eliminating the odor???
It's highly unlikely that you have an air leak at the tank...air leaks only occur in the plumbing between the bowl and the vacuum pump...the holding tank isn't part of VacuFlush. I'll be glad to send you--and anyone else who'd like to have it) my article "VacuFlush 101" which explains how the VF works if you'd like to send me a PM that includes your email address (no way to attach anything to a PM). If you had a leak at the tank you'd see visible evidence of it at a fitting or a crack in the tank.
We add a little Oxyclean or Tide with each flush.
They might prevent animal fat build up on tank walls and any tank level sensors inside the tank, but won't do a thing to prevent odor out the vent. Start using a real tank product...No-Flex Digestor Noflex Digestor is the top rated product and the one I recommend.
I am cleaning holding tank well after each emptying.
Just rinsing it out with a few gallons of water in the tank using a hose nozzle via the deck pumpout fitting is all that's needed...a more thorough rinse in preparation for winter or other extended layup.
As for your odor inside the boat...permeated hoses and/or residual odor left in lockers that stinky hoses passed through are the most likely source, but not the only possible source. A wet bilge in need a SERIOUS cleaning instead of just dumping something in the bilge and letting it slosh around for a while is also a likely culprit.
At the risk being accused of attempting to sell you something, both you and Backinblue NEED my book (see link in my signature below, just click on the title)...especially the section that deals with odors inside the boat AND holding tank maintenance and odor out the vent.
--Peggie
Thanks Peggie, I plan to buy your book, it's the least I can do for all the help you provide. I don't have a particularly smelly boat although my wife is ultra-sensitive to it and sometimes notices something. For me, I am trying to get better educated and do the right things like using no-flex and only toilet cleaners approved for holding tanks. This is what I use now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZFUYLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For a normal pumpout, what procedure do you use? I have a fresh water toilet and flush a few extra bowls of clean water through but that's about it. At end of season I will add some water through the pumpout port with a hose and have it pumped again. Is that sufficient?
Thanks again for all your help.
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