What do you do to control the Gray tank odor??

balrgn · 08-25-2008, 10:45 AM

After a few trips out, my gray tank vent is presenting us with a most interesting odor. Most definitely coming from above. I have removed a section of the belly pan to verify no leaks from the tank.

The location of the vent is close to the rear vent, so with the vent open it will on occasion it will waft in, mmmm.

½ gallon of bleach has helped but not enough to remove the nuisance.

What are you doing to reduce or eliminate this from happening to you?

mistral blue · 08-25-2008, 11:16 AM

We usually have the rear Fantastic Fan blowing out, not in.

purman · 08-25-2008, 11:20 AM

Are you sure it is the grey tank? Has it always done this? Have you change your diet? (just joking)
They do make cleaners for tanks you could try that, clean and sanatize like it was a fresh water tank...

balrgn · 08-25-2008, 11:29 AM

Yeah it's the gray, made the mistake of actually climbing up there (eeewe) 'Matter o fact the black is way better. The blue goo really takes care of it.

Started 3rd time out with this rig. Have not had it long, figure it must have set for years not being used. Tried several cleaners, knocks it down for while then comes back. May mix up come OxiClean and try that.
Man does that stuff activate with bleach, almost blew m'self up last week cleaning something

Gen Disarray · 08-25-2008, 11:30 AM

I have treatment that goes in both the black and gray tanks, no smell. I will try and remember to look for the name of it tonight.

davidz71 · 08-25-2008, 10:23 PM

I've had great luck with Odorlos brand, the green stuff. I have had approximately 6 gallons of water in the black tank and 5 gallons in the gray tank for 5 months now with only one 30 gallon treatment to each. I'm not smelling a thing out of the ordinary when I go into the trailer to work on repairs. By the way, the Fantastic Vent Fans are both running on low and both exhausting.

TBRich · 08-25-2008, 10:42 PM

Try using the tank treatment stuff in both the back and grey and see if that helps...you wouldn't think that the grey water would get that rank, but it does... I do this periodically to help it stay "fresh" (as can be expected, anyway)... Also when not traveling, we mke sure the P-traps are filled with water so the odors don't come up through the sinks... Good luck!

overlander63 · 08-26-2008, 05:52 AM

You can use a cup of clothes soap in the tank, drive it around for a while, dump it, and add some Odorlos to help with the smell.

laverperson · 09-19-2008, 01:21 PM

Howdy folks!,

Having read what there is on this thread about tank odors getting into the trailer still doesn't remove my wondering how it's getting "in" in the first place. The p-traps being full, should prevent tank gasses from entering via the sinks and shower, all of which have automatic vents as well as the common vent going out through the roof. I talked to a fellow from an RV dealer and he suggested that maybe the vent stack going through the roof had settled down below the roof line thus allowing gasses to enter the trailer. I checked that and it wasn't the case. So does anybody have any other ideas as to how the gasses are getting in? I own a 2001 25' Safari, and the only thing I can think of is that the vent stack is located right next to the AC unit and the fumes are entering through it. Is this possible?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Art