Waste Tank Filter Not Working

[Capt Ron]

Ok Folks,
I made one of those waste tank filters for my boat (as per Babyboomer's thread) and it's not working. I can still smell the exhaust when flushing. I followed the instructions very closely and I'm not getting any results yet. Was I supposed to run water through it before installing or just install it dry...? Any feedback would be appreciated...!
Cheers,
Ron
 

[Babyboomer]

Don't get it wet, I can't understand why it's not working I've made about 10 of them for people on our dock and everyone just raves about them. Are you sure you put it in the vent line? Not being smart but there are a lot of hoses there and not much room to work

[statbiomed]

Several weeks ago I posted the same subject. But got no responses. I also have the filter but it is useless on our 320. I have had this issue since the boat was new in 2006.

Some time ago someone posted the organic reason for this problem but I can not locate it.

[HALL'N]

I agree with Babyboomer I would check to make sure you're in the right hose.
Maybe take it loose at the filter and blow a little compressed air toward the vent to confirm.
I made mine last year and with the exception of a kinked hose it has worked just as planned.

keep us posted

[statbiomed]

Vent hose comes from the top of the tank and goes to a cromed fitting through the side. In the case of a 320 on the starboard side

[Babyboomer]

Several weeks ago I posted the same subject. But got no responses. I also have the filter but it is useless on our 320. I have had this issue since the boat was new in 2006.

Some time ago someone posted the organic reason for this problem but I can not locate it.

This is making me wonder if bigger tanks have more than one vent? I put one on a 370 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge and it helped but it still has some smell. But I only saw one Vent on it. Maybe make the tube longer or use  larger PVC to hold more Charcoal. But I have to say it's been 3 weeks since we pumped out and no oder. I still use Odorlos Chemicals They have worked best for me.
http://www.odorlos.com/

[Capt Ron]

Thanks for all advice... I did put it on the vent. I added hose from the vent to the filter so I could slip it under the strap that holds the tank from coming out of the brackets. I have a high enough loop so the contains won't get into the filter.
The tank is pretty large, 45gals, that might have something to do with it. Maybe I need a larger filter..? I did notice one thing: At first the filter didn't make a difference. As we use the boat during our weekend, I did notice that the smell was being reduced somewhat. I will keep an eye on it and post any changes. If I can't eliminate it, I will build a larger one (3 - 4") to see if that will help.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Ron

[ParkRode360]

Maybe someone can explain this to me -- this is the first season that the boat actually has a bit of an "odour" when flushing, and I've had the boat for 1 1/2 years or so.  What would make it start to ripen? Bad cleanout after putting it away? Age?

I've tried the odor-stop additive from West Marine, but it'll still give a bit of a whiff after a rollicking ride....

[Dream 'Inn]

George, is it smelling in the head or outside where the venting is?  If it is the venting, then it is time to change the filter, which for an '06 is probably about right.  If it's in the head, then it's possible it's your hose between the head and tank.  Put some vinegar in the head (~1 gallon) and flush it and leave it sit for a good while (at least a few hours or longer), this should get rid of it.  To help with this, use some fresh water at the end of the weekend in head.

[ParkRode360]

Dream, thanks -- the "presence" occurs after someone flushes, and it's outside the boat.  So our slipmates get the brunt of it...

[Dream 'Inn]

Dream, thanks -- the "presence" occurs after someone flushes, and it's outside the boat.  So our slipmates get the brunt of it...

Sounds like it is time to make one of your own filters, they're quick and cheap.  Unless of course you want to get rid of your neighbors.

[Single Malt]

I have the same problem...

Right after flushing, on the starboard side, a nasty stench comes out.  Then I believe what is to be a vent hole, waste may be coming out.  Does this mean my hoses are clogged?

Sorry, if this topic is discussed previously...

Thanks,

[Dream 'Inn]

I have the same problem...

Right after flushing, on the starboard side, a nasty stench comes out.  Then I believe what is to be a vent hole, waste may be coming out.  Does this mean my hoses are clogged?

Sorry, if this topic is discussed previously...

Thanks,

Woaahh!  have you checked your holding tank lately?  Is it possible that it needs pumped out?  If you have a filter in your vent line, it sounds like it defnitely needs changing.  But there is no reason for anything to be coming out/in of the vent line except air.

[Single Malt]

I have the same problem...

Right after flushing, on the starboard side, a nasty stench comes out.  Then I believe what is to be a vent hole, waste may be coming out.  Does this mean my hoses are clogged?

Sorry, if this topic is discussed previously...

Thanks,

Woaahh!  have you checked your holding tank lately?  Is it possible that it needs pumped out?  If you have a filter in your vent line, it sounds like it defnitely needs changing.  But there is no reason for anything to be coming out/in of the vent line except air.

My thoughts exactly.  Yes, I have had a full pumpout and it still does this?  Can the line be clogged and the redundancy is through the vent?  I also have the same issue, my slip neighbors get a whiff of the nasty stench.  I'm ready to call the boys at the mobile marine place, but if it is an easy fix, then I'll fix it.

[Dream 'Inn]

Definitely easy enough to check the vent line out. Follow the small line from the top of the holding tank and make sure there are no kinks in it to the side of the boat.  I would also remove the filter that is inline with that and see if it is clogged.  Then you have the choice of making or buying one.  You could also just remove the line from the filter and have someone flush it while you monitor the line (yes, it will stink, but nothing but stinky air should flow out of it).  If there is more that does then there are other issues.