Shower Sump Smell

I'd just change it for a sealed unit that can be serviced when needed. I know the smell you mean from old sailing boats. Boy, does it humm.

Why not by-pass the old vacu-flush system, leaving it for just the toilets?

http://www.johnson-pump.com/JPMarine/products/bilge/showersump.html

Give Orpine Bilge cleaner a try, it has a nice pine smell.

I leave a bromine tablet in each one. It neutralizes anything that could cause odors in shower water.

Just throw in a couple of these pills that are used for cleaning dental spare parts and let them do their job over night with the sump filled with water.

clorine tablets

Bromine tablets work exactly like chlorine tablets except that they are made for a spa instead of a pool and don't have the offensive chlorine odor.

The manufacturer of my boat recommends pouring hydrogen peroxide down the shower and sink drains from time to time. Flush after a one hour soak. I also clean mine every year or two.

I just throw some distilled white vinegar down the shower and sink drain very month or so. We live full time on a Hatteras with that set up and no issues as a result. Maybe once a year or two I clean out any hair or other scum, but since the regular DWV flushes its been awhile.

I use those bleach tablets for toilet tanks

they are white about 2 inches round and usually come two in a pack.
i think clorex brand.

drop one in the bilge water also to help keep it cleen smelling fresh

No! (Do you know for a fact your hoses can stand it?)

You can get plastic screens that cover the shower drain to take of hair.

Bromine or toilet tablets will not do much to break up the scum. OK sometimes for AC intakes to inhibit barnacles, though a shred of copper does better for that.

Clorox is too strong for marine hoses. Also, if it gets mixed with certain chemicals you could have a real problem.
My shower drain at home has wide grates, and my wife (love you dear but) sheds like Lassie. I swear I'd be bald 10xs over if I shed that much hair. So I picked up a small roll of window screening and every month or so cut a 4" circle and place it under the grates. Beats snaking the drains.

A few ounces of hydrogen peroxide in the sump and if you don't have dripless shafts, in the bilge keep everything fresh smelling.

re the toilet tablets....

for the record; I am not a chemist nor do I own any interest in any bleach company.....

the toilet tablet company's web site says that incidental pet consumption of treated toilet water is not a big deal....

also, straight bleach comes in plastic containers, right....

how "bad" could it be for bilge pump and shower pumps and hoses?

I would think that the dilute solution that the tablets create are no more harmful to hoses than some bilge cleaners and some soap products that are often used.
maybe use a piece of one for the shower sump instead of a full size one if you dont use the shower often.

Also, dont lots of owners "Shock" their fresh water tanks with diluted bleach...

city water is treated with chlorine....

used in moderation in dilute amounts, i think you would be ok to use bleach products...

ive been using the tablets and shocking my water tanks without problems....

Do not mix bleach or products with acid, amonia or other products containing ammoina or acid products.....that can make toxic fumes, not good...

Grey water usually smells worse than Black water. First do not use bleach, chlorine or other sterilizing agent this will only make the situation worse in the long run.

What you are dealing with is a build up of soap scum, body fats, dead skin, and an assortment of hairs. The best way to break these down is with enzymes so if you start off looking for an enzyme based pipe and septic tank cleaner this will if used as per instructions solve your problem.

Elbow grease every two weeks with shower scum cleaner. My sumps are readily accessible