Septic Problem?

Hank MI wrote:

RayChez wrote:
Hank, Happy Camper does break up the solids in a holding tank and when you flush most of what comes out has turned into water and does not stink up the camp ground like people that do not use anything. I discovered Happy Camper at the FMCA rally in Indio and it is great. Wish every RVer would try it before they knock it down. There is nothing worse then to be parked next to a RVer that does not use anything on his holding tank. Stinks up the RV park every time he opens that dump valve.

Okay, I won't dispute that it works. I use lot's of water in my black tank and haven't had any issues. I have the hose end fitting that fits snugly into the hookup pipe and don't really have an issue with odor. Is that because of the water diluting things or the fitting, I don't know. I know that gray tanks often have a worse order than the black. The soap, grease and food waste can create a terrible odor, especially in hot weather.

If Happy Camper works, great. Question, how many people in your RV? How often do you have to empty the black tank? Just curious.

Just me and the wife. We have to dump average once a week or seven days. And you are correct about the gray tank and the smell. We apply these enzymes on both tanks and we quit having sensor problems. They are 100% accurate all the time. It is hard to believe but when you dump the tanks there are no solids. This chemical works pretty fast. There are others that I have seen sold at Thousand Trails preserves. They are in a capsule, while the Happy Camper is a powder.
I believe my holding tanks are 55 gal and 45 gal.

RayChez wrote:
Hank, Happy Camper does break up the solids in a holding tank and when you flush most of what comes out has turned into water and does not stink up the camp ground like people that do not use anything. I discovered Happy Camper at the FMCA rally in Indio and it is great. Wish every RVer would try it before they knock it down. There is nothing worse then to be parked next to a RVer that does not use anything on his holding tank. Stinks up the RV park every time he opens that dump valve.

Okay, I won't dispute that it works. I use lot's of water in my black tank and haven't had any issues. I have the hose end fitting that fits snugly into the hookup pipe and don't really have an issue with odor. Is that because of the water diluting things or the fitting, I don't know. I know that gray tanks often have a worse order than the black. The soap, grease and food waste can create a terrible odor, especially in hot weather.

If Happy Camper works, great. Question, how many people in your RV? How often do you have to empty the black tank? Just curious.

J....did you try to pull that piece of pipe out? Is it loose?

When I empty my black tanks (I have two) I will block my toilets open so no vacuum will form as the liquid flows. I realize there is a vent going to the tank from the roof but the more air the better is my theory.

I wonder if that pipe was put there on purpose to prevent a vacuum. Never heard of such a thing but there's lots of things I never heard of.

Hank, Happy Camper does break up the solids in a holding tank and when you flush most of what comes out has turned into water and does not stink up the camp ground like people that do not use anything. I discovered Happy Camper at the FMCA rally in Indio and it is great. Wish every RVer would try it before they knock it down. There is nothing worse then to be parked next to a RVer that does not use anything on his holding tank. Stinks up the RV park every time he opens that dump valve.

RayChez wrote:

Hank MI wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:

Hank MI wrote:
Just a note on your terminology for the future. That black tank is a temporary holding tank and is in no way related to a septic system.

Thanks Hank, I stand corrected!

I wasn't meaning to correct you but some relate the holding tank system on an RV to a septic. You shouldn't because you have to treat and maintain them differently. If not you will have problems.

Hank, can you please elaborate more on what kind of problems you would have on a coach. Are you referring to the use of enzymes in a holding tank to break up the solids which is the same thing you do in a septic tank? If so, you are wrong! Because there are several enzyme products that are sold right at TT campgrounds for holding tanks. I myself use Happy Camper and it keeps my holding tanks clean all the time. So can you please elaborate a little more on your post.

A septic system is designed to separate the liquids and solid waste. Some solids will float to the surface, others will sink, very little will remain suspended in the middle. Liquid that exits the tank comes below the surface of the water so solids don't exit and plug the drain field. Septic tanks hold a large amount of liquid. Ours has 2 1,000 gallon tanks one feeding the other then the drain field. It takes a long time for the enzymes to break down the solids. A septic system allows for that. To much water through a septic system dilutes the enzymes and the efficiency of the system and can cause it to plug up.

The tank in your RV is called a holding tank, a temporary holding tank. Neither the RV manufacturer or manufacturer calls it a septic tank. Typically the waste is not held in the tank long enough for the enzymes to break it down. They sell stuff at campgrounds to put in your tank. So you assume it's needed? They also sell special toilet paper, I think most people here will agree it's not needed. They sell rubber roof cleaner/sealer as well even though the manufacturer of the roof material recommends you not apply any type cleaner/sealer. Companies will sell you anything they can, that doesn't mean it's needed.

You use Happy Camper and have had no problem. I never used anything in TT tank or the MH tank and have had no problems. When you open the drain on your black tank does only liquid come out, did the enzymes break down all the solids? Or can you tell when solids are flowing through the hose?

The biggest difference between a septic tank and a holding tank is liquid. Too much water through a septic system is bad. A holding tank's best friend is water. The waste is just not going to be in there long enough to be broken down. Water, lot's of water is needed to flush the solids out when you drain the tank.

Hank MI wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:

Hank MI wrote:
Just a note on your terminology for the future. That black tank is a temporary holding tank and is in no way related to a septic system.

Thanks Hank, I stand corrected!

I wasn't meaning to correct you but some relate the holding tank system on an RV to a septic. You shouldn't because you have to treat and maintain them differently. If not you will have problems.

Hank, can you please elaborate more on what kind of problems you would have on a coach. Are you referring to the use of enzymes in a holding tank to break up the solids which is the same thing you do in a septic tank? If so, you are wrong! Because there are several enzyme products that are sold right at TT campgrounds for holding tanks. I myself use Happy Camper and it keeps my holding tanks clean all the time. So can you please elaborate a little more on your post.

J-Rooster wrote:

Hank MI wrote:
Just a note on your terminology for the future. That black tank is a temporary holding tank and is in no way related to a septic system.

Thanks Hank, I stand corrected!

I wasn't meaning to correct you but some relate the holding tank system on an RV to a septic. You shouldn't because you have to treat and maintain them differently. If not you will have problems.

Hank MI wrote:
Just a note on your terminology for the future. That black tank is a temporary holding tank and is in no way related to a septic system.

Thanks Hank, I stand corrected!

True story, not mine however

Black tank duming very very very very (many very's) Slowly.

Owner finally got two pieces of wood out of the tank, the pieces cut out to install the toilet. . The workman simply dropped them in the tank instead of tossing them in a trash can.

He Returned them to the manufacturer with a proper note.

Just a note on your terminology for the future. That black tank is a temporary holding tank and is in no way related to a septic system.