RV Toilet Treatment
Interested to know how many use "liquid" black water treatment vs ready made "drop in" packets. Also would like to know which brand you recommend and which brand seems to have the longest odor elimination timeline.
Forum Discussion
100 Replies
- One misconception at a time . . .
usersmanual wrote:
Not only is chlorine hard on gaskets . . . We tried adding bleach to the black tanks on our houseboat many years ago, and it was a disaster.
If you own a late 1990-early 2000s RV, then it might have PB (polybutylene) plumbing. If that's the case, then don't use bleach. You're plumbing is living on borrowed time.
Modern RVs use PEX, ABS, polyethylene, and Santoprene (gaskets or "seals"). All bleach resistant.
Houseboats? Beats me. Thought we were talking about RVs.usersmanual wrote:
Bleach counteracts the common holding tank treatments. The common holding tank chemicals use enzymes to break down waste matter and neutralize odors. Adding bleach along with enzymes kills the enzymes so you then have nothing to break down the solids and diminish odors.
Bleach itself is a treatment. Besides water, you would not need any other holding tank treatments. Bleach will definitely neutralize odor.
Does bleach kill that "good" bacteria that helps break down waste?
It sure does -- so don't overdo it. How much bleach could you use without fear of nuking a park's septic system? Probably more than you think (page 3, top left column). usersmanual wrote:
Effy wrote:
Water - and lots of it is all anyone should ever need. Chemicals and perfume-y stuff simply mask odors and kill the essential bacteria that the septic system you are dumping into need in order to be "healthy". Without Nitrifying bacteria, waste will simply smell like laundry for a few days then stink worse. And who leaves stuff in their tanks long enough to even matter? A properly maintained black tank should only need water. If you smell odor, there is a mechanical issue with the vents or seals.
well that's your opinion and Some will disagree.
The toilet seal if thats where the smell is leaked from Yes.
Its pretty normal for a odour to emit from the Black tank vent and a Black tank 1/2 3/4 full is going to stink the high heaven(especially in hot weather)water or no water. Unfortunately some roof vents are way too close to bathroom roof vent fans and on hot days you will(can)get some stink.
the chemicals keep this to a minimum. Water in no way shape or form will ever stop Black tank odour from emiting from the black tank roof vent.What I found works well is some chemical and dump more often and rinse well after dumping
I could not disagree more so perhaps will agree to disagree. I don't use chemicals, I don't like them as they wreak havoc on the environment and the perfumes they use cause issues with my lungs and sinuses. I only use water and as has been stated many times by seasoned Rver's who only use water and none of us have an odor issue. Not sure what your issue is, but you may want to check it out. Smelly chemicals don't fix anything. They simply mask a problem with perfumes. I prefer to get to the root of a problem and fix it rather than cover it up. But to each his own. If you are so bent on using chemicals knock yourself out. But if you are looking for validation that it's ok, you may have to look elsewhere.Effy wrote:
Water - and lots of it is all anyone should ever need. Chemicals and perfume-y stuff simply mask odors and kill the essential bacteria that the septic system you are dumping into need in order to be "healthy". Without Nitrifying bacteria, waste will simply smell like laundry for a few days then stink worse. And who leaves stuff in their tanks long enough to even matter? A properly maintained black tank should only need water. If you smell odor, there is a mechanical issue with the vents or seals.
well that's your opinion and Some will disagree.
The toilet seal if thats where the smell is leaked from Yes.
Its pretty normal for a odour to emit from the Black tank vent and a Black tank 1/2 3/4 full is going to stink the high heaven(especially in hot weather)water or no water. Unfortunately some roof vents are way too close to bathroom roof vent fans and on hot days you will(can)get some stink.
the chemicals keep this to a minimum. Water in no way shape or form will ever stop Black tank odour from emiting from the black tank roof vent.What I found works well is some chemical and dump more often and rinse well after dumping- Water - and lots of it is all anyone should ever need. Chemicals and perfume-y stuff simply mask odors and kill the essential bacteria that the septic system you are dumping into need in order to be "healthy". Without Nitrifying bacteria, waste will simply smell like laundry for a few days then stink worse. And who leaves stuff in their tanks long enough to even matter? A properly maintained black tank should only need water. If you smell odor, there is a mechanical issue with the vents or seals.
TechWriter wrote:
k9dad wrote:
Interested to know how many use "liquid" black water treatment vs ready made "drop in" packets. Also would like to know which brand you recommend and which brand seems to have the longest odor elimination timeline.
Bleach??
Shields
Members
149 posts
Location:Orange County, California
Posted 14 Jul 2011 ยท Report post
Not only is chlorine hard on gaskets, it counteracts the common holding tank treatments. The common holding tank chemicals use enzymes to break down waste matter and neutralize odors. Adding bleach along with enzymes kills the enzymes so you then have nothing to break down the solids and diminish odors.
We tried adding bleach to the black tanks on our houseboat many years ago, and it was a disaster. Double dose with a reputable tank product if needed, but I'd recommend against bleach.
Good luck,
Timk9dad wrote:
Interested to know how many use "liquid" black water treatment vs ready made "drop in" packets. Also would like to know which brand you recommend and which brand seems to have the longest odor elimination timeline.
Bleach2oldman wrote:
10forty2 wrote:
Yeah. I suspect those with odor problems are not using enough water. Very common when dry camping, and given the way RV toilets work.
WOW... you folks sure are passionate about how to handle your chit......:B
;):B10forty2 wrote:
Yeah. I suspect those with odor problems are not using enough water. Very common when dry camping, and given the way RV toilets work.
WOW... you folks sure are passionate about how to handle your chit......:Bolcoon wrote:
I use a product called Unique. It's a "green" product that's not supposed to harm the environment, safe for septic tanks, etc. When I dump the tank, all I see coming out is brown water, the only time I see solids or TP, is if it was used recently.
http://www.uniquedistributing.com/product_info.php?products_id=85
I have used a Blue Tank enough to know what comes out and brown water is all I get too (maybe a little corn too!).- WOW... you folks sure are passionate about how to handle your chit......:B
