{"product_id":"thetford-aquamax-spring-showers-5-gallon-tank-treatment","title":"Thetford AquaMax Spring Showers Holding Tank Treatment, 5 Gallon","description":"\u003cp class=\"nvn-hero\"\u003eThetford's AquaMax Spring Showers is the enzyme-based waste treatment that keeps your boat's holding tank breaking down solids and toilet tissue without formaldehyde or bronopol. This is the 5-gallon jug, sized for a full season of regular dosing on a 40-gallon tank. Fresh Spring Showers scent, fully biodegradable, and made in the USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThetford's AquaMax Spring Showers is a biological, enzyme-driven treatment for your boat's waste holding tank. It goes after the two things that make a marine head miserable: solid waste that won't break down and toilet tissue that clogs the works. Feed the tank on a regular schedule and the bacteria do the digging, turning solids and paper into liquid that pumps out clean. No formaldehyde. No bronopol. Just live enzymes and a fresh Spring Showers scent doing the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's how a biological treatment actually behaves, because it's different from the harsh blue chemical stuff. AquaMax seeds your tank with bacteria that need a little time to wake up and colonize. On the first dose into a fresh tank, give it a couple of days before you judge the odor control. Once the colony is established, it keeps eating waste continuously between pump-outs. That's the whole point. You're running a small digestion system in the tank instead of just masking smell with chemicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe formaldehyde-free, bronopol-free formula matters more than it sounds. A lot of marinas and pump-out stations don't want formaldehyde treatments in their systems, and some places restrict them outright. Because AquaMax is 100 percent biodegradable, it plays nice with shoreside sewage treatment and won't poison the bacteria those plants rely on. If you cruise anywhere with strict pump-out rules, this is the kind of treatment that keeps you out of trouble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the 5-gallon jug, and it's built for boaters who don't want to think about reordering. On a 40-gallon holding tank with regular dosing, one jug carries most crews through a full season. A lot of folks dilute a measured pour with water before adding it through the deck fitting so it spreads evenly across the tank instead of pooling in one spot. Pour, rinse the head, and you're done. For a liveaboard or a charter boat that runs the head hard, the big jug works out a lot cheaper per treatment than buying quart bottles all summer. Store it above freezing over the winter so the bacteria stay viable, and it's ready to go next spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow the honest part, because we'd rather you know up front. Biological treatments slow down in the cold. Below about 50 degrees the bacteria get sluggish and odor control drops off, so northern boaters often switch strategies in the shoulder seasons. There's no lubricant in this formula either, so it won't free up a sticky joker valve or baby a macerator pump. Pair it with a separate sanitation lube if you need that. And it breaks down normal tissue well, but if you're running thick, slow-dissolving paper, you may still see some solids at pump-out. Rapid-dissolve marine or RV tissue helps a lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne more thing worth knowing. If your tank was running a formaldehyde treatment before, pump it out and give it a rinse before you switch over. Leftover formaldehyde will kill the fresh bacteria before they get going. Start clean and the colony establishes fast. The Spring Showers scent is a genuine fresh smell rather than a heavy chemical cover, and it holds well through normal use. In real summer heat it'll fade a bit faster, which is just your cue to dose again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho's this for? Cruisers and liveaboards with a fixed marine head and a 40-gallon or smaller holding tank, mostly. If you spend real time aboard, a clean tank is the difference between a boat that smells like a boat and one that smells like a locker room. Weekenders can absolutely use it too, you'll just take longer to work through five gallons. Same treatment Thetford builds for RVs, and it works exactly the same in a marine head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"nvn-features\"\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eEnzyme-based biological formula digests solid waste and toilet tissue between pump-outs instead of just masking odor\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFormaldehyde-free and bronopol-free, so it's welcome at marinas and pump-out stations that ban harsh chemical treatments\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e100 percent biodegradable, safe for shoreside sewage systems and the water you boat in\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eFresh Spring Showers scent gives a clean smell instead of a heavy chemical cover-up\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eOne 5-gallon jug carries most crews through a full season on a 40-gallon holding tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eNo lubricant in the formula, so pair it with a separate sanitation lube if you need to baby valves or a macerator\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMade in the USA by Thetford, the name behind mobile sanitation for boats and RVs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eWorks the same in marine heads and RV holding tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-trust\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy from NVN Marine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAuthorized Thetford Marine reseller, full manufacturer warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNMEA member and ABYC certified, advice from real boat techs\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSame-day shipping before 3 PM ET on in-stock items\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eNY headquarters and Fort Lauderdale flagship retail store\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"nvn-faq\"\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eDoes AquaMax contain formaldehyde or bronopol?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNo. It's a biological, enzyme-based treatment with no formaldehyde and no bronopol. That's what makes it welcome at marinas and pump-out stations that ban harsh chemical treatments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow long before it controls odor?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eGive it a couple of days on the first dose into a fresh tank. The bacteria need time to wake up and colonize before full odor control kicks in. Once the colony is established it works continuously between pump-outs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow do I dose the 5-gallon jug?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eMost boaters pour a measured amount, dilute it with a little water, and add it through the deck fitting so it spreads evenly across the tank instead of pooling. Then rinse the head and you're done. Follow the label dose for your tank size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eHow long does a 5-gallon jug last?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eOn a 40-gallon holding tank with regular dosing, one jug carries most crews through a full season. Weekenders will take longer to work through five gallons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eDoes it work in cold weather?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNot as well. Below about 50 degrees the bacteria get sluggish and odor control drops off. Northern boaters often switch strategies in the shoulder seasons and store the jug above freezing over winter to keep it viable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWill it lubricate my valves or macerator?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eNo. There's no lubricant in this formula, so it won't free up a sticky joker valve or baby a macerator pump. Pair it with a separate sanitation lube if you need that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCan I switch to AquaMax after using a formaldehyde treatment?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes, but pump the tank out and give it a rinse first. Leftover formaldehyde will kill the fresh bacteria before they get established. Start clean and the colony sets up fast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWill it break down toilet paper?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes, it digests normal tissue well. If you're running thick, slow-dissolving paper you may still see some solids at pump-out, so rapid-dissolve marine or RV tissue helps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eIs it safe for pump-out stations and the environment?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes. AquaMax is 100 percent biodegradable, so it plays nice with shoreside sewage treatment and won't poison the bacteria those plants rely on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eCan I use it in an RV too?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYes. It's the same treatment Thetford builds for RV holding tanks and it works exactly the same in a marine head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat size tank does it treat?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIt's dosed for a 40-gallon holding tank. Follow the label for the right amount if your tank is smaller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eWhat does it smell like?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring Showers, a genuine fresh scent rather than a heavy chemical cover. It holds well through normal use and fades a little faster in real summer heat, which is just your cue to dose again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"nvn-specs\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTitle\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThetford AquaMax Spring Showers Holding Tank Treatment, 5 Gallon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBrand\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThetford Marine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eManufacturer Part Number\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e96756\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eUPC\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e028985052739\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCountry of Origin\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnited States\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWaste Holding Tank Treatment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFormula\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBiological \/ Enzyme-Based\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eScent\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpring Showers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFormaldehyde\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormaldehyde-Free\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBronopol\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBronopol-Free\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLubricant\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFunction\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBreaks Down Waste and Tissue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank Capacity Treated\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 Gallon Holding Tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eContainer Size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 Gallon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBiodegradable\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100% Biodegradable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eQuantity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eApplication\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine and RV Holding Tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Does AquaMax contain formaldehyde or bronopol?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"No. It's a biological, enzyme-based treatment with no formaldehyde and no bronopol. That's what makes it welcome at marinas and pump-out stations that ban harsh chemical treatments.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How long before it controls odor?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Give it a couple of days on the first dose into a fresh tank. The bacteria need time to wake up and colonize before full odor control kicks in. Once the colony is established it works continuously between pump-outs.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"How do I dose the 5-gallon jug?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Most boaters pour a measured amount, dilute it with a little water, and add it through the deck fitting so it spreads evenly across the tank instead of pooling. Then rinse the head and you're done. 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Northern boaters often switch strategies in the shoulder seasons and store the jug above freezing over winter to keep it viable.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Will it lubricate my valves or macerator?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"No. There's no lubricant in this formula, so it won't free up a sticky joker valve or baby a macerator pump. Pair it with a separate sanitation lube if you need that.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Can I switch to AquaMax after using a formaldehyde treatment?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Yes, but pump the tank out and give it a rinse first. Leftover formaldehyde will kill the fresh bacteria before they get established. 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