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Old 31-12-2019, 16:13   #1
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Holding Tank Vent Screens

I have had multiple issues with the waste system. Finally tracked it down to the holding tank vent being completely plugged. Corrosion on the screens on the vent fitting had completely sealed it. Being New Years Eve, everything closed. Just removed the vent screens and all is well. Do the screens serve any real purpose? Should I replace the vent or just ignore it?
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Old 31-12-2019, 16:34   #2
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

Yes the screens provide a place for the mud wasps to build nests


Seriously they do nothing really except cause problems
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Old 31-12-2019, 16:46   #3
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

The screens prevent the insects from building their nest further inside the tube.
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Old 31-12-2019, 16:58   #4
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

On my water and fuel tank vents I placed a hose clamp over them, the kind with the slots, that will keep the dirt dobbers out and still let them serve as a vent.
For your black water tank you need as big a vent as you can get, I have a 1” hose for a vent connected to a thru hull fitting.

However if your way up North I don’t believe you guys have dirt dobbers, so I wouldn’t worry about it.
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Old 01-01-2020, 00:32   #5
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

I plan to use an activated carbon filter on my waste tank vent.


[IMG]hthttps://trudesignplastics-com.s3.amazonaws.com/products/images/17/c0cd1199485a86f03dd1ebb4f953957a-full.pngtp://[/IMG]




The fuel tank vent has a gauze flame arrestor
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Old 01-01-2020, 06:23   #6
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

Here in the southern U.S. dirt dobbers provide an amazing amount of ballast strategically hidden around your vessel, but in my experience 1in or smaller hose is more often clogged by egg sacks (spiders).
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Old 01-01-2020, 06:56   #7
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

The flame arrestor screen wire is required for a gas tank, but I don’t believe it is for a Diesel tank? Of course that will likely vary by location, different rules and all.
A filter on the waste tank vent often causes the very thing it’s trying to prevent as it’s a restriction to air flow.
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Old 01-01-2020, 07:17   #8
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

You know what, I've been in the South now for over 3 years. I have never found a mud dabber or spider nest on my boat.
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Old 01-01-2020, 07:30   #9
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

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Originally Posted by sailorboy1 View Post
You know what, I've been in the South now for over 3 years. I have never found a mud dabber or spider nest on my boat.
You will experience them more with items left unused for a time.
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Old 01-01-2020, 08:33   #10
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

Rex, I’m near you, and have never had any insect issues. That said, my waste tank vent used the same thru-hull that was used for my fuel (diesel) tanks. I can obviously see the need for the fuel tanks. This past summer the waste tank vent got covered in crud to the point that it affected the pump out process. I replaced the thru-hull with a non-screened type which was much larger (1”). Works much better now!
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Old 01-01-2020, 08:35   #11
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

Peg Hall's book covers this succinctly. Get rid of the screen but don't even think of doing the same to your fuel tank vent as this defeats an important fire safety function and will lead to serious insurance denial issues should you experience a loss due to fuel fire. Peg also addresses the vent line filter issue. Peg Hall's book is a fast read and an extremely valuable resource on everything related to waste tank issues.
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Old 01-01-2020, 08:54   #12
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

Here in Northern Michigan we do indeed have dobbers. We have always called them mud dobbers. They built nests everywhere and any where they that's even slightly undisturbed. They build inside cabinets, under shelves, inside the boom, and inside sail covers if they're left on for a while. Think I netter check the waste and fuel system vents.
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Old 01-01-2020, 10:58   #13
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

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Originally Posted by S/V Adeline View Post
You will experience them more with items left unused for a time.
Ill check my “winter” coat, socks, and long pants. Thanks for the heads up
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Old 01-01-2020, 12:53   #14
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

I rigged up a vent using PVC tubing, and stuffed the open end of it with stainless steel scouring pads of the soap-free variety.

Worked like a charm.
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Old 01-01-2020, 13:07   #15
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Re: Holding Tank Vent Screens

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Ill check my “winter” coat, socks, and long pants. Thanks for the heads up
And you wonder why people tend to get snarky with you..
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