Smell Killer

[Sailor Doug]

Has any one built their own holding tank air injection system? I have a 20 gallon holding tank. I am thinking about using a small aquarium air pump to inject air into black water.

[sailorboy1]

how about starting off by just increasing the size of the vent line first?

[ranger58sb]

Or maybe adding a second vent line, if a single larger one doesn't help?

-Chris

[iancoombe]

Try nappy san, its the best thing for portapotties as well, leaves a smell not unlike earth

[Sailor Doug]

I can't get to the inside of the upper vent to replace os increase size. I would have to remove propane locker drains etc big deal. I have yet to find a location for a second second vent, harder than it seems. Air injection seems to be a solution.
Currently if I use a couple hundred dollars of treatment a year and the problem goes away, unfortunately marine runs out of the stuff every summer.

[HopCar]

I've never done it but I got a look at a Groco Sweet Tank System. They use a pretty heavy duty air pump and their bubbler isn't just an aquarium air stone. It's a piece of PVC pipe with slots cut in it.

If you want to save your self the trouble of designing the system, I'd be glad to quote you on the Groco system. GROCO MARINE PRODUCTS

[gamayun]

It won't take long to gunk up an aquarium pump....can't even begin to imagine cleaning one that's been sitting in a holding tank for a while. Even one with holes drilled in PVC is going to clog pretty quickly with buildup. Certainly there has got to be another way?

[a64pilot]

Pump would mount outside and only thing in the tank would be a hose. If the pump could build decent pressure the hose would clear any clog on its own. I think an aquarium pump has merits, it's quiet and meant to run continuously for years. I wouldn't try any kind of bubbler just stick the hose at leas half way down


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weavis]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Pump would mount outside and only thing in the tank would be a hose. If the pump could build decent pressure the hose would clear any clog on its own. I think an aquarium pump has merits, it's quiet and meant to run continuously for years. I wouldn't try any kind of bubbler just stick the hose at leas half way down


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Use a double output pump. Can either run two lines to different parts of the tank or one strong one. Some have variable output.

[denverd0n]

One thing that I would point out is that if you add any kind of active aeration system like this, then you have to be REALLY careful that your vent never gets clogged. Otherwise you're going to create a MAJOR mess on your hands in a really short order.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

One thing that I would point out is that if you add any kind of active aeration system like this, then you have to be REALLY careful that your vent never gets clogged. Otherwise you're going to create a MAJOR mess on your hands in a really short order.

It would clear the blocked vent though

[valhalla360]

Should work fine. I wouldn't bother with the air stone as they do clog eventually even in clean water. A simple hose will work almost as good and while unpleasant should be easy to unclog.

As long as your boat is typically in a marina plugged in the power draw should be a non-issue and yes the pumps are cheap and durable intended to be used in a damp environment including salt water tanks.

I doubt you will have issues with a clogged vent house exploding the tank. They put out very little actual pressure and the constant flow of air may actually help as condensation that could collect in a bend in the vent house will be evaporated by the constant airflow.

As long as you can find a way to install it without a lot of complications, it's a cheap thing to try.

[a64pilot]

If you do it, report on how well it works, please. I think it will. Don't know where to get a 12V aquarium pump though, maybe one of those pumps the fisherman use to keep their bait alive, they are 12V.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

If you do it, report on how well it works, please. I think it will. Don't know where to get a 12V aquarium pump though, maybe one of those pumps the fisherman use to keep their bait alive, they are 12V.

ebay under "aquarium pumps"

[a64pilot]

Yeah, I did a quick google and there are dozens. I'll let him be the test pilot this time though.
If it works I had already decided I could put a T in my vent line and run the aquarium line down the T using fuel tank sealer or silicone to seal the T, that way no new holes in my black water tank.