Black Tank Chemical Process

Water, water, water. Never use chemicals just use plenty of water and flush good at each dump. Never had problems or odors. The trick for me is to add about 5 gallons of water to the tank after dumping. Water in the tank sloshing on the way home helps keep residual solids from drying and sticking to the tank, hence is what causes odors.
Steve

robsouth wrote:

Beverley&Ken wrote:
There are two groups here. We in the one that use only water in the black tank, a few gallons after dumping and plenty of water when flushing. Never any problems and never spent money on chemicals.

Beverley and Ken

x2. No chemicals in 20+ years. We use 1 cup Calgon water softener and 1 cup cheap liquid laundry detergent in the black tank when we set up. Use lots of water for each flush. Dump and rinse at end of stay. Add about 2-3 gallons of water to leave in tank. Done.

Aren't Calgon and laundry detergent chemicals?

Another option is The Geo Method.

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I don't use chemicals in my RV/TT's blank tank either. Chemicals, their ongoing costs, impact to environment and I don't agree. Thus, I use a much better low cost solution...

Knowing what I know today and for my next RV, I would replace the low grade factory roof vent with - click here -
Note: I haven't tried this low cost product myself but based on airflow science, it appears it should work.

If smell remained after this low cost roof vent upgrade, I would then install the 12V power vent within the bathroom wall cavity. re: - click here -

For store bought product, surf: - click here -

Before sitting down, simply flip the manual switch to HIGH. And when not using the bathroom, leave the manual switch on LOW speed. And at night, simply turn its low speed fan to OFF (for no sound - since sound tends to travel at night).

IMO, 35+ CFM 12V power vent should be mandatory on all RV toilets that don't use gooseneck piping (that traps the `stank` smell where it belongs.) NO chemicals costs pays for the cost of the power vent many times over…. Especially if one builds their own 12V Power vent using low cost 12V computer fan, 12V manual switch and ABS pipe fittings - like I did.

This works for me (and has no ongoing chemical costs either).

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Beverley&Ken wrote:
There are two groups here. We in the one that use only water in the black tank, a few gallons after dumping and plenty of water when flushing. Never any problems and never spent money on chemicals.

Beverley and Ken

X2 Never used a thing in the black or grey tank. Rinse the black when dumping and store with empty tanks. No cost, no smell, no hassle. We stop at full service parks and also boondock for weeks at a time. Makes absolutely no difference.

What are these toilet chemicals everyone keeps talking about.

Beverley&Ken wrote:
There are two groups here. We in the one that use only water in the black tank, a few gallons after dumping and plenty of water when flushing. Never any problems and never spent money on chemicals.

Beverley and Ken

Same.......
Full toilet bowl when flushing stuff
Dump when almost full (add more water if necessary)
Flush tank (clear adapter on drain pipe to see)
Fill/flush toilet twice after dumping (keeps tank bottom wet so stuff doesn't stick/dry out.......STINK)

Beverley&Ken wrote:
There are two groups here. We in the one that use only water in the black tank, a few gallons after dumping and plenty of water when flushing. Never any problems and never spent money on chemicals.

Beverley and Ken

x2. No chemicals in 20+ years. We use 1 cup Calgon water softener and 1 cup cheap liquid laundry detergent in the black tank when we set up. Use lots of water for each flush. Dump and rinse at end of stay. Add about 2-3 gallons of water to leave in tank. Done.

There are two groups here. We in the one that use only water in the black tank, a few gallons after dumping and plenty of water when flushing. Never any problems and never spent money on chemicals.

Beverley and Ken

Depends upon the type of chemical. Some chemicals are designed to kill the smell and that's all it does. Others are designed to break solids down. It depends upon what kind you're using.

Either way, but the chemicals in the tank before using the facilities.

However, if you don't want to use "chemicals", any laundry product added to your tank will help clean it, help keep the inside slippery, and help reduce smell.

Every now and then, toss in a cup of bleach and 4 or 5 gallons of water and go for a drive. Then dump and rinse the tank real good. This will eliminate a lot of smells and clean at the same time.

Chemicals? When we do use them, we use the de-oderizers in the tank before using it.

There's no right or wrong way to do it. The object is to eliminate odors.