Which black tank chemicals break down waste?

DutchmenSport wrote:
Here's a couple thoughts, maybe not the answer you're looking for, but something to consider.

We've parked at the in-laws farm for week-end visits and use the camper for our bedroom space. My father-in-law (who farms) told me to just go ahead and drain the black and gray tank (I use my blue tote) and wheel it out into the field and let it go! Any paper will disintegrate and get turned over in the next plowing or disking, the rest is pure fertilizer. So I hook the tote up to his riding lawn mower and pull it into the field behind the house and "let it fly!" If you live on your own farm, you can do the same. That way,your tanks don't have to sit full for long periods.

Another thing we do all the time (in the summer, but we have our winter version too). We use the toilet when we're home, and simply drain into our blue tote and (because we live in the country), I have a spot where I can dump it on the ground, away from the house. By the way, that's the most beautiful grass in the entire property too!

Most of the time, when doing the "#2" we go in the house, so it's just mostly the "#1" we're dumping.

Now, in the winter, we keep a port-a-potty in the camper and we use it, because it's COLD 'out there' when snow is on the ground! So in the morning, (I) just take the bucket and dump it right down the toilet inside the house. Been doing this for 15 years now!

If you really want something to start a fermentation process in your RV tanks, then any kind of emzine product will work. Rid-X to Bio-Chem for your sink drains. And actually, a rotten tomato will also jump start the fermentation process too!

EEK, um,,, around here don't get caught dumping your black tank on the ground even if you do have a farm. I've never hear of anyone getting busted for this but, it's for sure against the law.

old guy wrote:
I have to back up alakson and the use of Happy Camper chemicals. no solids either. one scope per tank full. I have use just about every thing on the market sold for black tanks in the 50 years I've been camping in a TT. some smell worse than the holdings in the tank. but happy camper does it's job and no odors coming from my tank. I even put it in the grey tank. well worth the money

I'm not against the use of the chemicals, but in the warmer months just plain water works great too. The last night of any camping trip and I completely fill the black water tank to the top, when I dump the following day, there are zero solids (the joy of a clear elbow) with the exception of fresh poops from that morning. Obviously without enough time for the water to work, or during colder months... water is not ideal and a digester chemical works very well.

I have to back up alakson and the use of Happy Camper chemicals. no solids either. one scope per tank full. I have use just about every thing on the market sold for black tanks in the 50 years I've been camping in a TT. some smell worse than the holdings in the tank. but happy camper does it's job and no odors coming from my tank. I even put it in the grey tank. well worth the money

Id keep doing what you have been doing. Use the blue stuff,especially if it sits for months. It would get pretty stinky without it. Aqua kem is like the blue stuff.

H2O and about 3 days.

Here's a couple thoughts, maybe not the answer you're looking for, but something to consider.

We've parked at the in-laws farm for week-end visits and use the camper for our bedroom space. My father-in-law (who farms) told me to just go ahead and drain the black and gray tank (I use my blue tote) and wheel it out into the field and let it go! Any paper will disintegrate and get turned over in the next plowing or disking, the rest is pure fertilizer. So I hook the tote up to his riding lawn mower and pull it into the field behind the house and "let it fly!" If you live on your own farm, you can do the same. That way,your tanks don't have to sit full for long periods.

Another thing we do all the time (in the summer, but we have our winter version too). We use the toilet when we're home, and simply drain into our blue tote and (because we live in the country), I have a spot where I can dump it on the ground, away from the house. By the way, that's the most beautiful grass in the entire property too!

Most of the time, when doing the "#2" we go in the house, so it's just mostly the "#1" we're dumping.

Now, in the winter, we keep a port-a-potty in the camper and we use it, because it's COLD 'out there' when snow is on the ground! So in the morning, (I) just take the bucket and dump it right down the toilet inside the house. Been doing this for 15 years now!

If you really want something to start a fermentation process in your RV tanks, then any kind of emzine product will work. Rid-X to Bio-Chem for your sink drains. And actually, a rotten tomato will also jump start the fermentation process too!

Any good enzyme-based holding tank additive will break down the solid waste - I've had good luck with both the Unique RV Digest-It liquid and the Happy Camper enzyme powders. Enzyme products need stuff for those little critters to chew on, so don't know how they hold up with minimal input. I'm currently using the Happy Camper stuff and almost never see any solids going thru the pipe when I dump.

al

mowermech wrote:
Actually, the best chemical to put in your black tank is WATER!
Remember, it is a HOLDING tank, not a SEPTIC tank.
If you do a search for home septic system maintenance, you will get more reading material than most people can cope with. In general, all articles will tell you that everything needed to break down human waste is already IN the waste, nothing needs to be added.
That's right, all the septic tank enzyme treatments are a waste of money!
Especially when used in an RV holding tank.
The holding tank chemicals are mostly perfumes or deodorants. While they may help control odors, they do little to break down the solids. The water does that.
Search Amazon for RV holding tank chemicals, or check your local RV dealer, and buy whatever looks good to you. More costly does not equate to "better".

+1

Since I have a family of 5 and am on a septic system, I completely agree with the above. The only things ever added to my septic system are:

-water
-poop
-pee
-toilet paper
-sometimes a little brewer's yeast in warm water to kick start the system after a long period of inactivity (2 week vacation)

Let the poop sit in the holding tank. When ready to dump in a few months, completely fill with water and let it sit for a couple days if possible, you might add a little detergent to help get sticky walls a little bit cleaner.

Actually, the best chemical to put in your black tank is WATER!
Remember, it is a HOLDING tank, not a SEPTIC tank.
If you do a search for home septic system maintenance, you will get more reading material than most people can cope with. In general, all articles will tell you that everything needed to break down human waste is already IN the waste, nothing needs to be added.
That's right, all the septic tank enzyme treatments are a waste of money!
Especially when used in an RV holding tank.
The holding tank chemicals are mostly perfumes or deodorants. While they may help control odors, they do little to break down the solids. The water does that.
Search Amazon for RV holding tank chemicals, or check your local RV dealer, and buy whatever looks good to you. More costly does not equate to "better".