I stumbled across an interesting YouTube video today that takes a look at the age old topic of pouring a bag of ice down the toilet.From what I can tell, it helps but only a little. I hadn't thought of this before, but since ice floats, it really doesn't make contact with the solids at the bottom of the tank unless you drain the liquids first. I think the quantity and makeup of the ice would be big variables too.The video is worth a watch though.SENSITIVITY WARNING: There is no actual human waste in the video, but he uses simulated waste per a NASA testing recipe. Personally, I score this a 4 of 10 on the yucky scale. As much as we discuss tank maintenance on these forums, there shouldn't be anything we haven't already discussed here before. Nobody should be shocked.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

I've heard that for years. Was under the assumption that folks mainly used the ice when the gauge quit working and must be driving for it to be effective. Personally have never tried it but do add a couple gallons of water and Dawn dish liquid after dumping the black tank.It's been a very effective method for many years.

kellem wrote:I've heard that for years. Was under the assumption that folks mainly used the ice when the gauge quit working and must be driving for it to be effective. Personally have never tried it but do add a couple gallons of water and Dawn dish liquid after dumping the black tank.It's been a very effective method for many years.Same here: Water, Dawn, and some Calgon. The gauges have worked great since I started doing this a few years ago.

If I was going to try the ice technique I would go with very little water so the ice is sliding across the bottom of the tank. And I would not use bags of ice. Freeze water in 12 oz aluminum cans, tear the aluminum off and drop big chunks of ice down the toilet. Then go for a drive with lots of turns.Might get some things loose from the bottom of the tank.

The "ice trick" is not meant to clean the bottom of the tank, it's meant to clean the sides of the tank. Not uncommon top have a piece of TP or similar hang up on a sensor and give you false readings. The ice bounces around the sides of the tank on the way down to the dump station and is supposed to clean off the sensors.

Forget the black tank. Put the ice in a glass of margarita !Guy

Do ice cubes in the black tank really work? | Good Sam Community

down_home
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2020
It will work if you use enough ice and right amount of water. It is like rocks being sloshed around if you drive it on a rough road until they melt. Reason it works better when it is cold outside.
Put about a third of a tank of water and about half that in ice, and start driving immediately. That will clean the sides and should get some off the bottom but ice floats so too much water might not do too good on the bottom.
one thing that I think would work well, is with some liquid detergent and maybe some calgon in the bottom with valve closed a hose nozzle and good pressure in through the toilet. Especially one of those wand with the flow reducer taken out.Blast the bottom good and sides and when the tank is getting full, have someone open the sewer valve and keep blasting until the little clear elbow in the sewer hose runs clear and clean. Just be careful to keep the toilet flush valve open so it and the seal won't get damaged possibly.
If you can look into the emptied tank first with a flashlight and see what there is it would possibly help directing the nozzle.
Didn't say this is a bouquet of flowers experience.
Would this damage any sensors...someone know?
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2020
My sensors quit working because the switch that you push to read them got broke. After that I didn't have to worry about cleaning the tank to try and keep them working. It's bee 4 years now and everything is just fine. I should have broken the switch sooner.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2020
The simple answer is No.
Wishbone51
Explorer
Jul 06, 2020
Super_Dave wrote:
I think that my sensor must have been installed directly under the drop shoot. Just a flush of water makes it read 3/4 full. Being that the sensor has always been inaccurate, I just use the sniff test to empty my black tank.

Mine has been pretty accurate, but when I put 2 gallons of water in after dumping, it always shows 1/3.. I think they put the first sensor too low.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Jul 06, 2020
Super_Dave wrote:
I think that my sensor must have been installed directly under the drop shoot. Just a flush of water makes it read 3/4 full. Being that the sensor has always been inaccurate, I just use the sniff test to empty my black tank.

I must have had the same guy install my censor, lol. It hasn't moved off of 3/4 since i got it. If i cared i would install the new ones on the outside of the tank. A lot of people sware by them. Too much work for me.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Jul 06, 2020
I think that my sensor must have been installed directly under the drop shoot. Just a flush of water makes it read 3/4 full. Being that the sensor has always been inaccurate, I just use the sniff test to empty my black tank.
Dtank
Explorer
Jul 06, 2020
Guy Roan wrote:
Forget the black tank. Put the ice in a glass of margarita !

Guy

X - 2,000 !! -....:B

Google "The GEO Method" and read while you sip...:W

Just another "Gee Whiz" solution (no pun intended) that may or may not work.

.
Guy_Roan
Explorer
Jul 06, 2020
Forget the black tank. Put the ice in a glass of margarita !

Guy
BurbMan
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2020
The "ice trick" is not meant to clean the bottom of the tank, it's meant to clean the sides of the tank. Not uncommon top have a piece of TP or similar hang up on a sensor and give you false readings. The ice bounces around the sides of the tank on the way down to the dump station and is supposed to clean off the sensors.
schlep1967
Nomad
Jul 06, 2020
If I was going to try the ice technique I would go with very little water so the ice is sliding across the bottom of the tank. And I would not use bags of ice. Freeze water in 12 oz aluminum cans, tear the aluminum off and drop big chunks of ice down the toilet. Then go for a drive with lots of turns.

Might get some things loose from the bottom of the tank.