Composting Head for Liveaboards ?

[Cthoops]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

I ran our vent hose though the old deck pump out fitting just as you plan. I fitted a mushroom vent for the cap which I can screw closed in the event of impending green seas. So far I've had no problem, although success may depend on deck layout and how wet your deck normally is.

Only smell you should get out of it is an earthy musty one; like rich soil. You might get a bad odour immediately after a use, but if it doesn't dissipate almost immediately then something is wrong with your mix.

I could have written this word for word. We also ran our Nature's Head vent hose out the old deck pump out fitting and use a mushroom vent. No problems at all.

[SariTimur]

The mushroom vent sold by Natures Head is I believe made by Vetus but has been modified to put in a screen. If you are sailing in the tropics this screen will save you from critters

[Matt Johnson]

Vetus Mushroom vent comes with a screen. I just installed one two weeks ago.

Matt

[cruisingdog]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Hmmm never had a bug problem in the past almost three years now. But then I never thought of something as simple as bug eggs in the desiccant. Makes some sense but not enough with some new precautions with the desiccant to ever go back to a holding tank system.

This might be a weird thought but has anyone thought of microwaving the desiccant before use ? This would likely kill the bug eggs. Bacteria in the composting toilet would move into the new sterile dessicant anyway. Using wood shavings, then defo microwave first as the original wood might have larvae/bug eggs in.

I’m doing research into cruising yachts at the moment and a composting toilet is a great idea.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by cruisingdog

This might be a weird thought but has anyone thought of microwaving the desiccant before use ? This would likely kill the bug eggs. Bacteria in the composting toilet would move into the new sterile dessicant anyway. Using wood shavings, then defo microwave first as the original wood might have larvae/bug eggs in.

I’m doing research into cruising yachts at the moment and a composting toilet is a great idea.

Not sure what the process or chemistry entails, but the issue with bugs seems to mostly come from those who use peat. I’ve always used coir, and any bug problems I’ve had are due to other issues.