black tank chemicals

way2roll wrote:

wopachop wrote:
I wonder how many campgrounds are on septic and have issues from different chemicals?

I think this is primarily why formaldehyde was outlawed, but natural decomposition really only requires the proper bacteria which are of course natural. Additives like fragrances etc are hard on microbes. Tank conditioners with soaps, dyes, etc, wreak havoc on natural bacterial decomposition. Water should really be the only thing a properly maintained RV septic system should need. IMHO, If it smells, you have another issue.

X2

DFord wrote:
If anybody told me my s--t didn't stink I wouldn't believe them. I don't believe yours doesn't stink either. It simply defies reality. If you're using only water, I sure don't want to be around while you're dumping or for long while afterwards.

Shouldn't smell at all if the drain line is tight at both ends.

DFord wrote:
If anybody told me my s--t didn't stink I wouldn't believe them. I don't believe yours doesn't stink either. It simply defies reality. If you're using only water, I sure don't want to be around while you're dumping or for long while afterwards.

Water only works, but if you don't get it, you don't get it. Thousands of people using only water with no issues. But I guess they are all wrong....

If anybody told me my s--t didn't stink I wouldn't believe them. I don't believe yours doesn't stink either. It simply defies reality. If you're using only water, I sure don't want to be around while you're dumping or for long while afterwards.

wa8yxm wrote:
Gee all you folks throwing money down the drain,, LITERALLY THROWING MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN.

I use water

Amen
I'm a full timer that uses water as well! I did install a couple of those wind vanes that put slight negative pressure on tanks while driving down the road!


Hmmm, i need to get into the black tank chemical biz! Sounds like a money maker!

One more time, if you are getting smells in your RV, there is a leak in your venting system. The odor is mostly Hydrogen Sulfide. The leak can be found by filling the system with water or a plumbing smoke test.

In plumbing a smoke test forces non-toxic, artificially created smoke through waste and drain pipes under a slight pressure to find leaks. ... Plumbing smoke tests are also used to find places where pipes will spill fluid, and to check sanitary sewer systems for places where ground water and storm runoff can enter.


Prolonged exposure to Low or Moderate levels of Hydrogen Sulfide may result in the following: Skin irritation, shortness of breath, irritability, poor balance, poor memory, confusion, eye irritation, sore throat and cough, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nasal and lung congestion, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Gee all you folks throwing money down the drain,, LITERALLY THROWING MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN.

I use water

S1njin wrote:
I use Aqua-Kem in the little disposable bottles. Ive tried HC and the Porta-Paks but i prefer Aqua-Kem.

X2 never had a problem. Put the remnants of the empty bottle mixed with water in the grey tank which works also

I have used Blue Streak for years. It costs a bit upfront, but is worth it. It dispenses a bit of chemical with every flush. That eliminates the guessing about how much to add based on how long you will be camping, eliminates forgetting, eliminates the mess. Since some stays in the bowl, it helps keep things clean and the seal good. There is a faint baby powder scent, but not strong. I will be installing one in my new RV we just bought. Look into it, especially those of you who use the rig a lot.

I quit using chemicals in my holding tank about 4 years ago. I get no odors inside the camper. When flushing, the flapper is only open for a few seconds, and a deluge of water is going down the hole, so very little gas can escape from the holding tank. Most of it probably goes up the vent stack, as it should.

I also never clean my holding tank in any way. I simply fill the holding tank to maximum with water at the end of my trip, so that when I open the waste gate I get a "mega flush" pushing all the contents down the poop pipe.

As far as the smell when dumping, unless you are spilling sewage when dumping there should be no smells. The dump station at my storage lot has 2 dump entries - one a threaded PVC cleanout which I use with my threaded adapter, but there is also a traditional "flapper" hole in a cement bowl for people who only have a "elbow in the hole" type of dump.

If you are using the old "elbow in the hole" type of dump then you might have some smells escape. But I always use my threaded adapter so there is no leakage when I dump. Sometimes you get a whiff of gas coming out the "flapper" hole while I'm dumping down the clean-out hole, but oh well. You'll never smell it more than 5 feet away and in 10 years of RVing I've never once had anyone waiting behind me while I dump anyway.

It's cheaper not to use any chemicals, and it's better for the environment.