Packets or Liquid for Black water tank

[Rainier]

Folks,

I'd love to hear a conversation of packets vs liquid for black holding tank deodorizer. I have always dumped little bottles of the stuff and am fairly happy, but I like the idea of throwing a packet down the toilet instead because it seems less messy and more convenient. However, I want works best. Does anyone have any opinions on this matter. There are too many options out there! 🙂
Thanks, Matt

[camper19709]

I use the blue liquid stuff and lots of water. No bad smells!

[Techie]

We only use chemicals when putting the RV up for a while -- whether in the winter or for extended periods. Other than that nothing is really needed...+1 on the Geo method.

[2gypsies1]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Instead of polluting the environment add a flush kit to the tanks. Get a clear plastic adapter so you can see when the water is running clear. No need for chemicals.

You might want to look at this excellent video. He uses a clear tank so you can see what's going on in there.

You'll find that those clear plastic adapters and flush kits aren't really showing what's happening in your tank. All you're doing is flushing the adapter! It's an eye opener.

His next video will be on tank additives. Should be interesting.

BTW: All we've used for 16 years of full-timing is water. No smells. No problems. We do have a tank sprayer inside the tank.

Tank Flushing Systems

[blw2]

I never used these packets, but tried similar things for use in the dishwasher at home.... once.
Never again.
reached in the box with wet hands... got a little water in there, some disolved, some stuck together....what a mess!
If you ever have a spill or splash get in the box, and assuming they are like the dishwasher easy to disolve capsules, look out!
Good old fashioned bottles for me.

[wa8yxm]

Normally I use a liquid.. Water,, Thats all.

Sometimes I will use a biological, these are usually powders may be packet or loose,, Biologicals (Waste digesters) are bacteria that start to chew up the solids while they are in the tank,, RID-Ex RV for example (Their commercials show what I'm talking about can not comment on the product since I use a different one) I am searching for the best, have not gotten to Rid-Ex yet.

Normally I only use these when on the road for more than a couple hours.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Instead of polluting the environment add a flush kit to the tanks. Get a clear plastic adapter so you can see when the water is running clear. No need for chemicals.

[Sandia_Man]

I simply use whatever is the most economical treatment (per use) available off the shelf at Walmart, lately it's been the little packets. I've pretty much tried every product out there over the years and there isn't much difference between them, it still boils down to using plenty of water and flushing out your tank after dumping.

[deereone]

I'm a packet user, we dump black and gray every 7 days. 65 degrees and below I don't use any packets, 65 to 75 I use one packet, 75 and up I use two packets. We have a 50 gallon black tank. After dumping I add about 5 gallons of water to the black tank with the packets if used.

[valhalla360]

Use plenty of water then drain before putting her back in storage.

Haven't had any issues.

[fla-gypsy]

I prefer the liquid type.

[Ron3rd]

It's really personal preference; we use the Thetford Campakem in the tear-open packets simply because that's what came with our first trailer and the wife likes it so we never stopped using it. They all do about the same thing IMO. Pick what you like.

[ReadyToGo]

What is messy about using the liquid? Even if some gets on the bowl, the next flush will put it down the drain. Use whatever you want or don't want.

[gbopp]

Some use just water, some use The Geo Method

[beemerphile1]

H2O - it doesn't come in packets.

[Tvov]

How long are you camping for? I used to consistently pour the small bottles of RV treatment (usually green) into the black tank. Now I don't bother. For a weekend camping trip, I have found there is little to no smell and no need for the chemicals.

When I get home I usually rinse out the black tank, and pour a small amount of bleach in the black tank and rinse it again. Works fine and little to no smell. You can do a similar routine at a dump station (just try not to take too long if there is a line waiting! lol).

Other people here will have better methods for long term camping.