Toilet paper test
I was looking for the link to the toilet paper test that tested how rapidly paper dissolved. I did a search but did not see the one I am looking for
Forum Discussion
- Gotta love it. Click on search and type in toilet paper then look for all the pages of results.
- I really don't see an advantage to toilet paper breaking up. We use for the most part Kirkland and in looking at the test, it flunks. I also dump with a Sewer Solution (1" sewer pipe) and have absolutely no problem dumping.
Even if your toilet paper doesn't break down, it will still easily flow through the 3" or 4" stinky slinky. It easily flows through my 1" hose. So buy whatever gives you the most comfort in use or is the cheapest. RandACampin wrote:
Dtaylor wrote:
I was looking for the link to the toilet paper test that tested how rapidly paper dissolved. I did a search but did not see the one I am looking for
Just as well you didn't find it, toilet paper dissolve times mean absolutely nothing. It doesn't matter if it takes two seconds or two hours. I challenge anyone to show proof that the "toilet paper test" means anything in regards to holding tanks. It's pure bunk to think that a fast dissolving toilet paper does anything for you.
Same thing for the "we only use this brand because it's septic safe". All toilet paper is septic safe and biodegradable. One ply doesn't mean doodly either. I use what I use at home. If I could find 20-ply paper I would use that!
I respectfully disagree that dissolve(breakdown) times are unimportant. Lets say a 2 hour dissolve time product is used and lets also say too much is used and an attempt to drain the black tank is made within 30 minutes. I would anticipate that the drain will plug until the paper dissolves and probably will require some additional help to clear out.- I spent decades in the paper industry, including some time in tissue mills. We had a standardized 'swish-it-in-a-jar' test to make sure our TP would break up properly. (It doesn't 'dissolve' - the fiber-to-fiber bonds come apart in water.) We ran the test because the mill also used wet strength resin to make paper toweling and napkins, and contamination of the toilet paper with those resins was possible.
Also, some people use huge wads of TP, some home plumbing systems are poorly designed, and low-flush toilets don't provide a lot of water. The TP has to break up easily and quickly. Wet wipes can be a big problem because they're slow to break up.
Does any of the above apply to your RV? You decide... ;) - Other items to consider relative to the "swish it in a jar" test:
1. The motion in the holding tanks is nothing like the motion in a jar being actively swished around.
2. The temperature is different.
3. The composition of the liquid in which the TP is being swished around in a jar is different from your holding tank contents.
These things, and others, will affect the breakdown results.
In other words, all the test is really showing you is how TP will break down when swirled around in a water filled jar. It does not replicate what happens in a holding tank. - Google "consumer reports toilet paper test" and you'll find lots of reading if that interests you. Like others said, use any TP you want. We generally use either Kirkland or Angel Soft just because the wife likes those two. Proper tank maintenance is much more important than choice of TP.
Dtaylor wrote:
Mocoondo wrote:
Good lord, are we still obsessing over toilet paper? .
NOT obsessing, looking for specific information
Much of it will depend on how the rig is plumbed. Put a clear fitting on the end, then pull the handle. If you hear the "whoosh" and the fitting fills completely and stays that way till drained, you'll never have an issue with TP. If on the other hand the fitting fills completely then quickly goes into a slow drain mode for 5 minutes, you best keep buying TP that disintegrates quickly, and if at all possible dump after you've moved the rig thereby getting a sloshing action in the black tank helping break down anything solid that may be sitting in there.
Has nothing to do with it being a black tank, or septic safe TP, has everything to do with the velocity the effluents come out at. If high velocity then pretty much all items will flush out. If low velocity, then you run the risk of clogs in that 3 inch pipe with items that don't dissolve or break into smaller pieces. That slow draining won't be enough to push stuff out, then more stuff will pile up behind that, and so on and so on.
Just because some rigs never have problems, doesn't mean all rigs don't have problems. It all depends on how the manufacturer ran the pipes and if you have a good vent into the black tank.down home wrote:
Best or at least some ideas comes when your half asleep but can;t sleep erly in the morning.
"Specifically" how long toilet paper takes to dissolve in the black tank? Huuum. It would take one heck of a grant for me to find out. So long as you don't confuse the hand towel with tp should be alright then agan maybe RV mfgs should put bigger discharge pipes on the tanks. A nice big 8 inch discharge out of clear lexan. Nothing else to do turn on the light in the tank and watch the paper dissolve and other activities. Lose a fork or spoon or yer dentures down the toilet. Just reach in and retrieve them. We could have contest similar to the track. Everyone bring a precise wad of their preferred tp. Have the designated wife drop it in the toilet and count how long ti takes to dissolve. Longest dissolving loses and gets to clean the tank for the next round, sort of like dealing the deck. ltimate winne gets trophy of dark stained tp in four shades as determined by the women and their picture took for the forum. :)- "Specifically" how long toilet paper takes to dissolve in the black tank? Huuum. It would take one heck of a grant for me to find out. So long as you don't confuse the hand towel with tp should be alright then agan maybe RV mfgs should put bigger discharge pipes on the tanks. A nice big 8 inch discharge out of clear lexan. Nothing else to do turn on the light in the tank and watch the paper dissolve and other activities. Lose a fork or spoon or yer dentures down the toilet. Just reach in and retrieve them. We could have contest similar to the track. Everyone bring a precise wad of their preferred tp. Have the designated wife drop it in the toilet and count how long ti takes to dissolve. Longest dissolving loses and gets to clean the tank for the next round, sort of like dealing the deck. ltimate winne gets trophy of dark stained tp in four shades as determined by the women and their picture took for the forum. :)
