Ice in Black Tanks?

J-Rooster wrote:
I watch a video today about putting a 10 lbs. bag of ice down your toilet to help clean your black tank? This video showed by a camera placed inside the black tank that while a RV is moving (black tanks were just emptied before the bag of ice was put into black tank) and the ice sliding all over in the bottom of the black tank and failing to clean debris on the bottom of the black tank! The Ice treatment does not work. I have never heard of this ice treatment for cleaning black tanks have you?

Yes I have, and there are several issues with what you describe.

First; Why is it so all fired important to clean the tank, You do know what goes in there right.. i mean if it's not clean, and it's not going to be clean, why worry about it. Not like you are drinking that water.

now: The part of the tank that needs cleaning is not the bottom, it is the sensor wall, and as you drive (with a fresh bag of ice in the tank along with oh say a third to half tank of FRESH WATER) the theory is the cubes will smack up against that wall and clean it.

Do they.. Don't knwo,, But frankly I think what we need is better sensors.

I saw a Youtube video with a clear plastic tank that disclaimed the ice theory. A sprinkler type flush kit works best IMHO. Has for many years. Skip the chemicals as well

Saw a video once where they created a clear acrylic box, put things in it to mimic waste, added ice and put it in the back of a pickup with cameras to illustrate what happens if you put ice in your blank tank. The conclusion: it essentially does nothing. Ice does not have enough mass to effectively do anything to solid waste. Waste has the greater mass. Also, the ice cooled down the waste thus solidifying it more. So it had the reverse effect. The best way to handle blank tanks is to use lots of water, never leave your waste valve open as liquids will drain and solids remain, and don't empty your tanks unless they are almost full.

Found the video

After we get home from a trip, I make sure that both the grey and black tanks are filled and I dump a box of Rid-X in to each one and let it sit for a week or so. Then I drain them both and use the built in power flush to rinse the black tank out.

I admit it...I tried it....a waste of time and effort...... Much better method is copious amounts of water. When the water runs clear, it's empty. My coach has a built in flush valve, so it makes it much easier to clean the black tank. After flushing clear, I put back in 2 gallons of hot water mixed with Calgon and Dawn to let it sit until the next trip. So far, so good.....

jake2250 wrote:
I just watched a video about this and it works perfectly!!
You are missing a few things,,,,,
A few gallons of remaining black sediment, 15 pounds of cubed ice, 5 pounds of salt, 55 limes (halved), 3 gallons of Margarita mix, some rock salt for the rim and two long (four foot) bendy straws!!
oh,, and a DD is not essential,,just a few trips around the block and your set to party!!!

Outstanding Jake, I assume you would call it a dirty margarita!

I just watched a video about this and it works perfectly!!
You are missing a few things,,,,,
A few gallons of remaining black sediment, 15 pounds of cubed ice, 5 pounds of salt, 55 limes (halved), 3 gallons of Margarita mix, some rock salt for the rim and two long (four foot) bendy straws!!
oh,, and a DD is not essential,,just a few trips around the block and your set to party!!!

ICE is expensive water and better use of it is in cocktail

K Charles wrote:
Eat more fiber, works just as good.

Outstanding effort Charles!

First if you use plenty of water and wait till your tank is 3/4 full you won't have buildup. If your concerned about those little bits that may avoid the BIG WHOOSH get yourself a flush king and do a back flush. Or you could just pour 10 gallons of water down the potty and find a bumpy road to get that good scouring action. Poop and paper are both water solible so have at it.