Shock your holding tank

[Jay Fusaro]

Hi all - I'm also a member of Boat US and I get there magazine, in the most recent issue they talking about how to keep your black water holding tank clean. One of the bullet points described "shocking your holding tank". They didn't say with what (I assume bleach?). I have never heard of doing this, have any of you ever shocked your holding tank? If so, how did you do it and what did you use?

Thanks!
Jay

[Midnightsun]

IMHO "shocking " a holding tank is a poor choice of wording, one should clean a holding tank periodically. That being said, a few times a year after a pump out, I add about a 1/2 tank of water and a cup or 2 of liquid laundry detergent. Here is an article describing the method which is pretty much what I do. https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-m ... lding-tank

[pepmyster]

Good thing to do for sure. I just brought home our holding tank sensor for it's clean up. The stuff that gets lodged in there is wicked. Sticky and wicked. Just saying.

[Midnightsun]

Forgot to mention, DO NOT USE BLEACH! There are way to many rubber parts in the system that do not go well with bleach in the long run. Do stay away from it in your holding tank.

[g36]

Definitely no bleach. A bit of maintenance and you may need to open the top access where the tank monitor probes are and breaking up to solids and then pump out if its reallly really bad. If youll google noflex digester its a good product to use going forward to help wth the breakdown of waste.

[bud37]

I second the proper use of NoFlex digester.

[Midnightsun]

I have been using Noflex for several years now and agree it works well however I hate the cost of it, way to pricey for what it is in Canada. Have made my own Noflex that has worked as well maybe even better but hard to compare. Here is a link to that thread. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6596&p=51865&hilit=noflex#p51865

[Drspikes355]

Like others have mentioned Noflex is a great additive that really breaks down solids and sludge. I have been using it on the last two boats and it has even cleared the sensors so they seem to work well and accurately. Bleach can be used to sanitize the freshwater tank and faucets, but rinsed until clear( no smell )after a few hours.
A good idea to add several gallons of clear water to the holding tanks and re pump until empty.

Cheers

[Jay Fusaro]

That’s a great idea - thank you. Shocking the tank didn’t make sense to me either.