Holding Tank Vent Filter

I actually made one myself a few years back (after getting outraged at the price) using fish-tank carbon and pvc. Sitting in my basement waiting for the store-bought one to fail. Offered it to a friend (gratis) when his failed but he didn't trust my creation, so he spent around $100 on one at WM. Oh well??!
 
BetterBoat Products sells them for half that and uses charcoal specifically formulated for septic applications. We're real proud of them but for sure, making it yourself is real economical. Just takes more time.
 
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I ordered the filter from Beterboatproducts. It arrived VERY quickly. I needed it for some long overdue maintenance projects next week while on vacation. It is a well made piece that I spent 0 hours manufacturing. Normally I would try and fabricate one too but WAY too much s_ _ _ going on right now for that. Thanks to all for your replies.
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N369RM said:
Jack380AC said:
N369RM said:
I have a 1998 270 DA with 7.4 engine.

Do you have the correct filter and do I need an adapter?

Thanks!

Ron Mason
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Ron,

As far as I know, there is only one size out there in the market and our filter is a good replacement. If your filter looks like a 2 inch cylinder about 15 1/2 inches long with hose connections on both ends, then our filter will do the trick. We have sold almost 100 of these and have never had a single return or complaint.

If you want to order one, there 44.95 plus $8 to cover the shipping. Just send me your email address and I'll send you an electronic invoice.

Thanks for your interest.

Jack
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I will be back to look at my boat the end of this month.

Maybe we should just post this ans see if anyone can confirm it working on my boat?

If I can, I will order your filter.

Thanks!

Ron Mason
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Can anyone confirm what size filter Ron's 270DA has? I actually don't know of any filters on Sea Rays that are different.
 
I decided to check mine after having an odor a few times
Took it out and sure enough they want 149 bucks at WM and the best price I could find online was 90
So I decided to cut it open to see what exactly was inside and all it is is a 2” PVC pipe with charcoal and 2 small pieces of filter at the ends.
So I went to the local Petco and purchased a large container of active carbon charcoal (which is enough for at least 8 fills) and a box of filters. Got a 2” coupling from depot, Total cost 23 bucks
I cleaned out the old canister, it just pvc. Cut 2 new filters for each end using the old ones as a guide, and filled both pieces with the charcoal
The coupling was a tight fit ( you have to peel away some of the paper) so after putting it together all I did was wrap the connection with some duct tape, this way I can take it apart next year
Total cost was 23 bucks and less than an hour to do; anyone with a small amount of skill can do this and save some money or at least spend it on some other pieces and parts like LED lighting :grin:
 
Scott...you won't have to take that thing apart for a long time, as long as it doesn't get wet. Good job!
 
It's funny you say that.
when I opened it up the charcoal was wet and the 2 filters.
I guess by buying the large container I will be able to change the charcoal each year
 
You won't need to change it that often. I replaced mine about 6 years ago and it's fine. They will get skunky usually b/c of an overflow situation with the tank (ie: you wait too long for a pumpout). I suppose there's nothing wrong with changing the center every year but you're making work for yourself. Change it when/if it gets skunky. I also dump that blue stuff that supposedly neutralizes odors. I buy it at Walmart (it's for RVs). Everyone tells me that's a waste of money, but my flushes never smell!
 
I went and bought the fittings so I could cut mine open and put it back together but decided to just dig around with a screw driver and got the old charcoal to easily pour out. After that I rinsed it out, refilled with new charcoal and put the washers on the ends that have the little screens in them to keep the charcoal in place. Worked pretty good and now, like Ron, my sh*t doesn't stink either. Mark
 
I found that if I don't put the blue stuff in after a pump out I get a really bad smell
so I go and Pump it out, fill it with water to rinse, Pump out again, then put in a little water with the blue stuff and I am good to go.
seems to work the best for me
 
Sea Ray Mark said:
I went and bought the fittings so I could cut mine open and put it back together but decided to just dig around with a screw driver and got the old charcoal to easily pour out. After that I rinsed it out, refilled with new charcoal and put the washers on the ends that have the little screens in them to keep the charcoal in place. Worked pretty good and now, like Ron, my sh*t doesn't stink either. Mark
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+1, exactly what I did.

The only problem was that when I refilled it again this year the little screens were all rusted out. I guess they weren't stainless. This time I just stuffed a little piece of foam in each end.
 
Greg said:
+1, exactly what I did.

The only problem was that when I refilled it again this year the little screens were all rusted out. I guess they weren't stainless. This time I just stuffed a little piece of foam in each end.
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Hmmm... didn't think of that. Just assumed the screens were stainless. Maybe I'll check on them in a month or so. Thanks for that Greg.
 
Studman said:
It's funny you say that.
when I opened it up the charcoal was wet and the 2 filters.
I guess by buying the large container I will be able to change the charcoal each year
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If there was moister inside, you may want to check how it is installed. Ideally, it should be higher than the through hull fitting so water does not run into the filter. If so, easy to correct. Get some longer tubes and attache standard garden hose fittings. Mont the filter higher. Simple wire straps will do but we also sell a really solid bracket that you can attach to the bulkhead.
 
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