Holding tank chemicals

[Scott_85]

I've search this site and read countless reviews on both CW and Amazon and I can't see which one is the best. Which chemical do you think does the best job and why?

[spike99]

mlts22 wrote:
... I do like the 35+ CFM computer fan idea, although the "Lil' Stanker" is not sold anymore. I also believe that at least some type of item, be it Camco's vent, a solar fan, or a computer fan connected to the 12 volt system should be standard on at least the black tank, if not both the grey and black tank vents. ....

Correct. "Lil's Stanker" Roof Top Power vent is no longer made. Their replacement product is inline (inside wall cavity or inside roof cavity") prduct is listed at: http://www.lslproducts.net/IL-DSPage.html

Too bad I didn't know about their replacement product - before creating my own power vent system.

If I buy another RV (TT/ 5er), I will buy/install their 12V product. Very easy inline install and with this product, one doesn't need to change the factory roof vent.

Simply install, connect 12V wire, install switch and its done. No more smells inside the bathroom (especially when the toilet valve is opened). And, no more ongoing chemical costs either.

[Ole_Man_Dan]

I use a little DAWN in the Black tank/ about 3-5 gal. water.
Sloshes the suds while traveling. Everything comes out. No smell.

I've started adding some to the Grey Tank recently. It started to smell and the water was nasty. Cleaned it up. No smell.

[Allworth]

Stickdog,

I wouldn't recommend newsprint or aluminum foil, but anything softer than that is fine. The black tank is not a processing point. It is just a holding tank.

By the way, I can think of several other reasons not to recommend newsprint or aluminum foil which have nothing to do with the tank.

[Ron3rd]

Scott_85 wrote:
So thanks to everybody on here I got some stuff just to try but I will also use copious amounts to water for the black water tank. I think I will just end up using cheap dish soap and water just to keep the smell down if I can. Also my 5er has a black tank flush so after I dump my black tank I will pour more dish soap down the toilet and run the flush a couple of times until the water run until no more brown or suds.

As you've probably discovered, you can use whatever you want. Proper tank maintenance is much more important than the chemicals you use. We use the Thetford Aqua Chem powder simply because we got free samples with our first trailer and the wife likes the smell so we never changed. Our local Wal Mart carries it so it's convenient.

[Scott_85]

So thanks to everybody on here I got some stuff just to try but I will also use copious amounts to water for the black water tank. I think I will just end up using cheap dish soap and water just to keep the smell down if I can. Also my 5er has a black tank flush so after I dump my black tank I will pour more dish soap down the toilet and run the flush a couple of times until the water run until no more brown or suds.

[stickdog]

4 years fulltiming nothing but water.

Here's a question about TP, what difference does it make if it takes 30 seconds or 5 minutes to break down, unless you throw 3 or 4 rolls down and then run out pull the dump handle under normal usage it all breaks down before dumping.

[poppin_fresh]

I almost bought into the chemicals thing, but after a year of practice I now dont see the need. I am not anal about my black tank (pun was intended), but I do believe that emptying the tank is not something that can be rushed.

I see other campers pull the valves, close em' up after a minute or two and drive off. Myself on the other hand, am spending some time using my Camco tank flusher to back fill my tanks a couple times and make sure everything is rinsed out. Yes, it takes a little bit of time, but I cant say that I haven't experienced any odors or issues by using the tried and true "use plenty of water" method.

[mlts22]

I've yet to use chemicals, even the sample stuff that came with the rig, and I do something simpler than the Geo method. My black tank is a holding tank. It isn't a septic tank, and it isn't a place where bugs go to meet, play, date, and have a night on the town. It is a place for stuff to sit until I dump it.

Empty the tank, hold the toilet open, squirt some Dawn dish detergent in the tank. With the grey, pour some hot water with detergent in as well. So far, when dumping, this has worked pretty well for me, and when I do the smell test by opening the flush valve with the bathroom fan on, it doesn't stink, so it seems to be working. Dawn dish detergent is made to break up grease and other gunk on dishes, and poop is pretty much the same thing.

My next rig, I'm either getting a Camco cyclone vent (uses the Venturi effect to suck stuff up and out) or a solar powered fan vent cap. Either one will help ensure that any bad smells are exhausted out the roof.

I do like the 35+ CFM computer fan idea, although the "Lil' Stanker" is not sold anymore. I also believe that at least some type of item, be it Camco's vent, a solar fan, or a computer fan connected to the 12 volt system should be standard on at least the black tank, if not both the grey and black tank vents.

I also agree with you on the aspect of modding... it seems the mods I have planned or the mods I have done are stuff that should have come from the factory. Things like a three stage charger, an accumulator tank (to minimize the late night "burrups" by the water pump), a voltmeter to accurately gauge how the batteries are, and even having the same key work both RV door locks should be things that are standard.

[spike99]

.

I don't use chemicals. Never did and never will. And I don't use lots of water to dilute the natural smells either.

For my TT, I simply bought some ABS piping, bought a 35+ CFM computer fan, bought some 12V wiring (connected to its light switch) and created my own roof top vent - that looks like - click here -

When we turn the bathroom 12V light ON, it starts the 35+ CFM fan and its suction creates a vacuum inside the RV's black tank. When one flushes the toilet (that opens its valve into the black tank), the smelly air is then sucked "down, around and up" the roof top vent pipe. No more smell taking the shorter path - into the bathroom room (via the open toilet valve). After washing one's hands, one then turns the bathroom light off - that turns this special fan off.

No chemicals, no smells and it works on 12 Volt power. And, even works on no wind days. IMO, this roof top vent fan product should be RV factory minimum code. Especially since RV toilets don't use a gooseneck design - that traps bad smells where it belongs (like in a stick home toilet plumbing designs).

And best of all, no cost to run this roof top vent. Saved money can be used on other mods / upgrades - that RV factories should be doing as well...

[1775]

I have tried the Geo Method and I have used this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-TST-Holding-Tank-Chemical-1-Gallon/14504329 This chemical also has a lube to keep your tank seals lubed so you get waste breakdown, deodorizer, and tank lube in one quick treatment. And it is not expensive.

Between the Geo Method and this chemical it is a toss up. The Geo Method did no better than the chemical and the chemical is more convenient.

[beemerphile1]

Scott_85 wrote:
...Which chemical do you think does the best job and why?

H2O

[2gypsies1]

16 years of full-timing and never use chemicals. . . just water . . . no smell.

[rbtglove]

We use a little Pine Sol in the Black tank and sanitize the gray with bleach once a year. Use regular septic safe TP and never had apronlemi over 30 yrs.

[tenbear]

If you always use chemicals you will never know if you need them.

[Jack_Kay]

EsoxLucius wrote:

Rollnhome wrote:
FYI you don't need bacteria in your tank. They are holding tanks. The waste should not be in them long enough to breakdown.

You may not need bacteria in the tank, but there is not much you can do about it. It will be there from your own gut. And if anaerobic bacteria proliferate (almost guaranteed within hours) bad odors will be in the tank.

My practice:
1. To maintain my blackwater holding tank I use two tablespoons of Happy Camper Odorless Holding Tank Treatment (53 cents) dissolved into two gallons of water dumped into an emptied blackwater tank.
2. Happy Camper is biodegradable, works in all temperatures, eliminates odor, dissolves toilet paper, liquifies waste, and keeps sensors working properly. I use any two-ply toilet paper that is safe for septic tanks.
3. Proliferation of anaerobic bacteria causes odor. Happy Camper promotes aerobic bacteria which crowds out or kills anaerobic bacteria and accelerates decomposition.
4. With Happy Camper there is no need to use excessive amounts of water. Just two gallons to start and normal use of the toilet and bathroom sink. Filling an empty black tank one-third full with water is wasteful, as is using more water than necessary to flush.
5. Happy Camper is the one blackwater tank treatment I've found that does work. No colored chemicals, no detergent, no water softener, no bleach, no chemical tablets, and no excessive amounts of water.
6. If possible, I wait until my blackwater tank is at least half full before dumping.
7. It is easy and cheap to try Happy Camper to see if it does indeed work for you.

I have been using Happy Camper for the past 6 years and it works as described above.