Tank Treatments

Gjac wrote:
If you go to Rid-X site under FAQ they don't recommend it for RV use. Some say that the micro organisms that dissolve the solid wastes also will dissolve the rubber seals over continued use.
--snip--

The topic in this thread is about the NEW product that was developed specifically for RVs.

Rid-X hasn't updated their website yet.

However, they have been giving their RV product plenty of "air time" in the form of commercials on TV.

If you go to Rid-X site under FAQ they don't recommend it for RV use. Some say that the micro organisms that dissolve the solid wastes also will dissolve the rubber seals over continued use. I never used anything but water and at the end of the year dish washing detergent and a 3/4 full tank and a long ride home, then dump before storing for the winter. If you are concerned about a build up you can open the toilet valve after final dumping and turn on the fantastic fan with all windows closed and if no odor is detected your tank is clean.

Tank chemicals fall into a few categories, Rid-Ex is not in any of them (It is not a chemical, it is a Biological and will be covered next "Chapter"

Preservatives, these often contain Formaldehyde and in some places if you are found to have them in your RV you may be ask to ... park elsewhere

Deodorants,, Really not all that effective.

Sensor Cleaners Same as the above but with a bit of table salt added.. Yes, that's all, just table salt, do nothing to clean the sensors I might add.

Next Chapter (Did I mention they are short)

Biologicals: This includes Rid-Ex, and other Waste Digesters.

The problem with these products is they are slow acting.. I do, occasionally, use one when I know it will be at least 2 weeks between dumps (And living alone, I normally dump at the end of each campground visit (2 weeks) in the summer and in the winter it is 1 week/2week/1week/2week pattern)

These may actually clean a sensor on rare occasions. These are the ONLY Tank additives I suggest and like I said then only if you can go 2 weeks or more between dumps.

Otherwise. Water, Just plain water.

STINK: First, I have found Gray water is way worse than Black.

Second: You may have seen the ads for the chemicals showing the stinky rig.. Well, I managed to be that rig one time.. Turns out I had left the gray valve open and sewer gases were backing up into the tanks.. Closed the valve and away went the stink. Like magic.

One other time we had that problem, This time in an office building... People were complaining about the stink in the men's room.

I poured a quart of water down each floor drain,, Stink was gone an hour later.

I did find it on Amazon, however there are no reviews yet...

Bucky Badger wrote:
ummmm, has anyone else clicked the Buy Now tab?

That's very interesting! It seems nobody sells the stuff (Amazon shows up as an "online retailer" for the other product)!
Also, if you go to the bottom of the page and click on "Ingredients and MSDS", there is NO MSDS listed for the RV product!

ummmm, has anyone else clicked the Buy Now tab?

JJBIRISH wrote:
it is mindboggling that anyone thought this stuff was worthwhile to begin with, or any other similar products out there…
the only product ever needed is water…

The common term used here seems to be "tank chemicals" and I guess that
could mean just about anything. We use a tank deodorant and mind-boggling or not I assure you it works.

I've tried a lot of things including using a lot of water. I finally discovered that I could build a pyramid using a lot of water, and chemical. Dealer took my new trailer back as we were having flushing problems, due to the pyramid that formed in about 1 month. He took Unique Digest it, and with an over night soak, it would then clear out. Ive been using this product ever since and it does a great job of getting rid of all waste. I see now way I can get by with just water.

Our holding tanks aren't septic systems but we are often dumping them into someone elses septic system.

The only time I use a chemical is in the hottest part of summer. Tanks will get sour in a hurry when it's 100 degrees out.