Are you are looking for the best holding tank treatment for your marine vessel?
Marine vessel holding tank cleaning is a delicate process. Water can freeze and damage your boat, so you need a cleaning treatment you can rely on to break down grime and improve water quality. Also, you want to make sure that your holding tank treatment keeps your tank clean without harming your boat, you, or your environment.
Check out this guide and learn about the best marine holding tank treatments on the market.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment | Best Overall |  |
| Camco TST Fresh Scent Marine Head Toilet Treatment | Budget Pick |  |
| West Marine ExterminOdor Head and Holding Tank Treatment Toilet Cleaner | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment
Pros:
- Reduces odor & prevents spillage
- Guaranteed results – 100% satisfaction
- Treats small/medium sized holding tanks
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available in 2 sizes & at-home treatment kit
- Made in the USA
- Safe to use on all surfaces
Cons:
- Can be a tad difficult to use
- Doesn’t work for large holding tanks
- Users complain of having a sulfur-like smell in the rv
Happy Campers is an all natural holding tank treatment that works to keep your tank smelling fresh and clean. It can be used on all surfaces, including plastic, Porcelain, fiberglass, and stainless steel.
The product comes in either an 18 count or a 54 count at a pretty affordable price. This is enough to treat medium and small holding tanks at home. The formula is also organic and food grade-compliant.
The manufacturer offers a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee which proves that this company is confident that its product will work.
2. Zaal NoFlex Digestor Boat and RV Sewage Treatment
Pros:
- Zaal NoFlex Digestor works even in coldest conditions without the use of unnecessary chemicals.
- NoFlex does not kill the methane producing bacteria of the septic system,.
- NoFlex is truly does protect environment in the best way possible.
The price of NoFlex is probably the biggest problem we found. At such price,
NoFlex could buy you two or more of all other products on our list.
3. Odorlos V77002 Holding Tank Treatment
Pros:
- Works within 15 minutes
- Eliminates odors in septic tanks and holding tanks
- Eliminates odors from towels, bedding pet beds, etc.
- Safety measures to avoid overflows in the toilet
- Stays fresh for three months.
- Actively works in both fresh and salt water
- Prevents the buildup of tank residue and rust
- Reduces waste varnish and protects the holding tank
- Bio-enzymatic
- Contains bacterial cultures beneficial to septic systems
Cons:
- The re-sealable tamper seal on the bottle leaks at times
- Can cause marine growth in boat water systems
- Used as an EPA-approved treatment for small wastewater treatment plants
- Approved for both septic systems and holding tanks
- Up to 90 uses
4. RV Septic Tank Treatment
Pros:
- This is by far the best RV holding tank treatment available.
It’s efficient and comes in the form of 20 individual packets. The package is easy to access and easy to store. Buying RV holding tank treatment in bulk is convenient as you’ll always have a backup packet on hand when you need it.
This product isn’t just a deodorizer, it also acts as a digester and disinfectant. So you can treat infestations and eliminate odors faster than ever.
The Mulberry Septic Tank Solution is highly effective and works astonishingly well. Just treat the tank, wait 30 minutes and the odors will be gone for good!
5. Unique Marine Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment
Or Chemicals | Process Tank Water Until It’s Clear!
There are many holding tank treatment systems on the market. But the only holding tank treatment that I can suggest you start using is the Unique Marine Digest-it Holding Tank Treatment.
This product a just plug and play toilet treatment device that works to breakdown waste in your holding tank. It converts everything into a liquid, so you can drain out a clear water instead of waste.
6. Star Brite Instant Fresh Toilet Treatment Concentrate
Pros:
- Aerosol spray – Easy to use
- Can be used in freshwater systems
- Not harmful to the environment
- Effective odor control
- Compatible with all sanitary systems
- Prevents contamination of the water supply
- Can be used on all plumbing systems
Biocompatible – EPA Certified, Non-Carcinogenic, Non-Flammable.
The Star Brite Instant Fresh Toilet Treatment Concentrate combines odor control and bio-friendly activity to completely eliminate odors. This non-toxic and non-hazardous product is EPA certified and completely safe to use in any marine sanitation device. This product is a water based oxygenated and oxidized biocompatible product. It is one of the best marine holding tank sanitation treatment systems.
7. Camco TST Fresh Scent Marine Head Toilet Treatment
Pros:
- Formaldehyde free; no harsh chemical smell
- Environmentally safe
- Effective in marine toilets
Cons:
- Might not be as effective in portable toilets
- Best suited for small-to-medium tank users
The Camco TST Marine head toilet treatment has an intended use of treating portable marine toilets and marine toilets in larger vessels.
TST can transform any marine holding tank into a convenient, odorless and clean toilet.
You simply pour the treatment directly into the toilet bowl each time you empty the tank.
8. West Marine ExterminOdor Head and Holding Tank Treatment Toilet Cleaner
Pros:
- Effective and versatile
- It can also be used as a drain auger treatment
- The active ingredient is curcumin which is extracted from the lemon grass plant
- The compostable packaging is sturdy and does not get damaged easily
- This is one of the best smelling toilet treatment
Cons:
- The odor-absorbing part of the product is made from polypropylene (PP) which might be toxic to marine life if disposed of in the water
- Stronger smell than most other holding tank treatments
This toilet treatment is one of West Marine’s favorite odor-absorbing tank treatment. They even make it themselves.
The active ingredient is curcumin, which is extracted from the lemon grass plant. It’s effective for removing all kinds of odors, including urine, waste, and food lockers.
What’s particularly interesting is that the product can be used to clean your toilet and also as a drain auger treatment. While it’s relatively new to the marine market, it’s no secret that this is one of the best smelling toilet treatment. So it’s a great treat for you and your boat.
9. Green Gobbler Porta Fresh Best RV Marine Porta Potty Holding Tank Treatment Deodorizer & Digestant
As freshwater polymers, Green Gobbler’s 6-carbon chain organic molecules are enriched with protein and amino acids, surrounding and encapsulating fecal matter and waste odors to eliminate tank odors with consistent use.
Unlike other products, Green Gobbler contains Cysteine and Cysteamine, which eliminate the anaerobic Ph levels below 6.0. They are used in hospitals as stomach protectants and acid neutralizers because they are both rapid-release and fast-acting antioxidants.
Cysteine and Cysteamine are unique to Green Gobbler. They are not found in any other holding tank product, including biological treatments.
10. Aqua-Kem RV holding tank treatment
Aqua-Kem RV is an enzyme-based deodorizer, digester, and waste-dissolving detergent. It is suitable for black, gray, and fresh water holding tanks.
It can also be used in marine, freshwater, and freshwater RVs. It will remove and digest waste and kill odor-causing bacteria.
It works well in lightweight and heavy organic waste loads.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best holding tank treatment?
If you have a boat, you need a whole-boat holding tank system. The first thing is that you are living on a boat, which means it is always going to smell. That boat is also a nexus “ a gathering point “ for virtually every form of marine life that swims in the water around your vessel. And, there is no way that you can go to the bathroom or have a bowel movement and neatly dispose of that raw human waste. The solution is a holding tank system, and you should be taking care of that holding tank system regularly.
Holding tank systems are, more than you would think, complex pieces of machinery. Whether you are a sailor or boat owner, you need to know how to use that system properly. It is not merely a place to toss our raw waste. When properly used, holding tank systems can ensure the health of you and your companions.
How do I stop my holding tank from smelling?
Nobody likes the smell of a holding tank, and while some of my fellow boaters feel that there is a degree to which this smell has to be tolerated, I disagree.
If you don’t like the smell of your holding tank, then there is something you can do about it. In fact, you can do a lot of things about it.
First, understand the problem and what the odor source is. Different chemicals produce different types of odors, and each odor problem requires a different solution. In my article, I was specific about the type of solutions that I recommended.
Knowing the chemicals that are in your holding tank and the metabolites that they produce will allow you to develop an effective method for eliminating the odor. Understanding how to handle holding tanks will allow you to properly maintain your tank so that you never have to deal with this problem in the first place.
How do you clean a Marine holding tank?
There are several different approaches for clean-up depending on how far the pollution has spread. The first step is to have the onboard holding tank professionally cleaned, drained and sanitized. This prevents contamination from spreading to land. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN A MARINE HOLDING TANK YOURSELF. They are in a difficult position to reach, thus compromising stability and overall integrity. Call a professional to save precious water and the environment.
If there is little or no contamination, the next step is to flush out the tank with a commercial holding tank cleaner.
How often does a holding tank need to be emptied?
This is a question that depends on many factors, including your boat, and your routine use of that boat. If you take many long trips, you may have to empty the tank a couple of times a year. If you live in a marina, you may only need to empty it once a year. If you primarily use your boat for weekend trips in the summer, a complete change every couple of months might be enough.
Conclusion
Marine holding tanks are primarily useful for rescuing marine life and keeping them alive in our tanks, but not necessarily in their best condition. Over time, marine life tends to die off after being put in our tanks. However, with the best marine holding tank treatments, this is a thing of the past. Here are the five best holding tank treatment you should be using in your marine holding tanks.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment | Best Overall | |
| Camco TST Fresh Scent Marine Head Toilet Treatment | Budget Pick | |
| West Marine ExterminOdor Head and Holding Tank Treatment Toilet Cleaner | Upgrade Pick | |