Stop the Stink: the first vent charcoal filter I trust

I used to say “skip charcoal vent filters.” Then I met Joe at the boat show. His patent had just been approved. He changed my mind.
I installed Stop the Stink on our boat for the following reasons:

✅ Air bypass valve (no restricted airflow during pump-out)
✅ Patented helical charcoal flow (way more media in 12”)
✅ Refillable charcoal (no buying a whole new filter every season)

(Though, not mentioned in the video, Joe is an R29 owner as well).

This looks like a good product. Don't these filters get ruined if/when the tank overflows through the vent? That would be my concern given no tank monitor on the R25. Marine sanitation guru Peggie Hall has always cautioned against these for restricting air flow and thus inhibiting aerobic bacterial processing in the holding tank, but the video suggests this product does not restrict it much, and has a bypass to prevent suction damage during pump-out.

The use of a helix for the carbon looks like a great idea and possibly an improvement over the Big Orange Filter that I have had installed for some years now. I have the original BOF that has always had a bypass valve and replaceable charcoal and has been around for years. I have no ties to the company other than being a customer, just passing on experience.

BOF cautions that bypass valves are not infallible and I concur, from my industrial experience. The risk is minimal and I’d be interested if any RT owners have experienced a collapsed tank using one. I always remove the inspection cover on our R25SC to hose out the tank in any case.

The introduction of the helix makes this filter worth looking at for someone thinking of installing such a unit. My only concern is the mention of ‘special’ filtrate. I have bought refills online from BOF in the past and changed once a season. If I forget, I can always use charcoal from the pet store. I would imagine that cat litter works even better but I haven’t had a need to try.

JMarshallR25 said:

This looks like a good product. Don't these filters get ruined if/when the tank overflows through the vent? That would be my concern given no tank monitor on the R25. Marine sanitation guru Peggie Hall has always cautioned against these for restricting air flow and thus inhibiting aerobic bacterial processing in the holding tank, but the video suggests this product does not restrict it much, and has a bypass to prevent suction damage during pump-out.

Click to expand...

The location of the vent (height) with where the filter sits, it's not possible on my boat. The tank will overflow through the toilet, which sits at a lower height. I have overflowed my tank a few times, and the vent pipe, while it stinks, it's clean on the inside.

Chimo said:

My only concern is the mention of ‘special’ filtrate. I have bought refills online from BOF in the past and changed once a season. If I forget, I can always use charcoal from the pet store. I would imagine that cat litter works even better but I haven’t had a need to try.

Click to expand...

Joe's researched the type of charcoal quite a bit. Not all charcoal is created equal. He's using two different types in a 50/50 mix. Send him a note asking for clarification.

Chimo said:

I have no ties to the company other than being a customer, just passing on experience.

Click to expand...

I also have no ties to the Nautilus Filter, as just an FYI. Joe says they'll last at least 1-2 season. I suspect they'll last even longer before needing charcoal replaced. In the Navy on the submarine, we changed the charcoal in our filters every 5 years. But they were much larger filters. And when our tank overflowed, it made its way in the filter (dirty job).

I figure I can wait until my toilet starts to drain slower indicating the vent is getting clogged (which may or may not ever happen with this filter as air can still pass around the charcoal), or until I start to smell the tank outside the boat. I bet that's at least 3 seasons. Only time will tell.

This would go behind the fridge in an R-25OB, correct?