This is a question regarding grey water tanks only. I have been using one of the various odor control products for RV grey water tanks, Camco, etc. I'm about out of product, so I'm looking for any suggestions as to what to use for a grey water tank additive -- commercially sold products, but also, are there any additives of products usually in the home suggested for the grey water tank? Another question, I'm a bit overstocked on additive for the black water tank -- is there any reason it wouldn't work to dilute the black water additive a bit with water, and (until I use up my 'overstock') use some of that for grey water tank additive?

No problem with using black tank chemicals in grey tank. I would not use it very often as it is a waste. No, chemical is normally required as the dish soap from the galley sink and regular hand soap from bath should keep it clean and odor free.

Agree as stated above. No need for chemicals in the gray tank. Dishwashing soap and shower soap will keep the tank pretty clean. If you want to give it a good "swish" cleaning, drain the tank, pour some bleach down your drains, ad a few gallons of water and just drive around. The bleach will clean the tank just fine. Be sure to drain the bleach water (catch it in a bucket and pour the bucket down the sink or toilet in your hosue) and then add some clean water to rinse the slide valve off. You don't want bleach only sitting on the slide. Rinsing by adding more water will keep it from drying out. No need for tank additive chemicals. You've already got everything you need.

My grey tank smells worse than my black tank! Mostly because I can flush the heck out of the black tank, but can't flush out the grey tank with any kind of pressure like I do with the black.. Just filling it up and dumping helps some, but really is just a waste of time and water.I've used the 'grey tank' deodarizors and I don't think it worked very well.. Even tried partially filling it up and driving to my destination with it, thinking it would slosh around enough to clean it a bit.. I guess it did to some extent, but it still stunk.. ;)Just my experience with it.. I've considered getting one of those kits that installs spray heads thru the tank, but haven't wanted to really do that either..Good luck!Mitch

We have never put anything in our grey tank except drain water from the sinks and shower. It's 14 years old and the grey water tank has never put out a detectable odor and we us it a lot.

Additives for Grey Water Holding Tank | Good Sam Community

coolmom42
Explorer II
Aug 17, 2014
MitchF150 wrote:
My grey tank smells worse than my black tank! Mostly because I can flush the heck out of the black tank, but can't flush out the grey tank with any kind of pressure like I do with the black.. Just filling it up and dumping helps some, but really is just a waste of time and water.

I've used the 'grey tank' deodarizors and I don't think it worked very well.. Even tried partially filling it up and driving to my destination with it, thinking it would slosh around enough to clean it a bit.. I guess it did to some extent, but it still stunk.. ;)

Just my experience with it.. I've considered getting one of those kits that installs spray heads thru the tank, but haven't wanted to really do that either..

Good luck!

Mitch

This.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Itching2go wrote:

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but if you never have an odor problem inside the trailer, and the only time you have an odor is when you are dumping, why do you care? When I dump, I expect to have some odors. After all, it is sewage going down the line.

Obviously, you weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth!

:B :B :B :B :B :B :B
Itching2go
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2014
crcr wrote:
IAMICHABOD wrote:
crcr wrote:
We don't smell any odor inside the TT from the grey water tank, but when I dump it, there is a noticeable odor, even though I have been using the Grey Water Odor Control (lemon smell or some such). The odor when dumping kind of surprises me, as 1) the wife doesn't put greasy water or water with a lot of food debris down the sink, and 2) we always dump the tank right after camping for 4 or 5 nights.

I would check and replace the air admittance valves
located near your sinks,they are cheap and can be found at most big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes as well as smaller hardware stores.

If they fail they will let the smell from the grey tanks in and believe me they can smell just as bad as the black tank if not worse.

Changed mine out and the smell was gone!

We NEVER get any odor inside, only outside, and then only when dumping.

Perhaps I'm missing something here, but if you never have an odor problem inside the trailer, and the only time you have an odor is when you are dumping, why do you care? When I dump, I expect to have some odors. After all, it is sewage going down the line.
Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
If you smell the gret tank (especially under sinks) you have a failed air admittance valve. Cheap one $9 - good one $19 at home depot.
ICamel
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
I suspect you don't clean fish in the outside kitchen sink of the RV like I occasionally do?
dodge guy wrote:
Not necessary in the grey tank! It will smell a little bit no matter what you do.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
MitchF150 wrote:
My grey tank smells worse than my black tank! Mostly because I can flush the heck out of the black tank, but can't flush out the grey tank with any kind of pressure like I do with the black.. Just filling it up and dumping helps some, but really is just a waste of time and water.

I've used the 'grey tank' deodarizors and I don't think it worked very well.. Even tried partially filling it up and driving to my destination with it, thinking it would slosh around enough to clean it a bit.. I guess it did to some extent, but it still stunk.. ;)

Just my experience with it.. I've considered getting one of those kits that installs spray heads thru the tank, but haven't wanted to really do that either..

Good luck!

Mitch

Your sinks should have "P" traps just as your house does.

Odors should not be able to get past the water in the "trap".

IMO - disassemble one and see if any junk is in the bend/s.

Also, check the vent/s for obstructions.

What you smell might not be coming from the tank.

~
Dtaylor
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I have added about 6-8 gallons of water and 1/2 gal of bleach to each tank and drained them when we got to the campground.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Aug 13, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
We don't get any smells inside our 5vr.....cause all the vapor barriers and seals work.

We don't get any odors when dumping cause the o-rings in our sewer hose/fittings work and the sewer clean out adapter screws into sewer pipe.

We don't use ANY chemicals other than water.

We've full-timed for 16 years and have never had smells. All we use is water in our black and grey tanks - no additives. There's no need to do so and you're just wasting money.

For the grey tank, we don't throw any garbage, grease or coffee grounds down the drain. We wipe everything off with a dirty napkin or paper towel before doing the dishes.

For the black tank, we just use plenty of water.
kennethwooster
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
We will get smell ever so often, and will put Unique Digest It, and after about 24 hours drain the gray tank and all odor is gone. This is the best product I have ever found. I've tried a lot of them.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 13, 2014
Not necessary in the grey tank! It will smell a little bit no matter what you do.

How close to the hose are you standing to smell the grey water?

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