Black Tank Treatments - Yay or Nay?

[chops1sc]

This is two-part thread....

I have been RV camping for most of my life. I can always remember my dad using the old blue liquid in the toilet after dumping the tanks. This what I did once I started camping with my family.

How many of y'all use chemicals in the black tank?

WHEN do you use the chemicals?

I have seen few videos that talk about the treatments becoming inactive after a long period of time sitting in the tank and even causing issues with build-up. My common sense light comes on when I think about adding the treatment before the trip.

Also, this is my first camper with a built-in flush for the black tank. Once I am done, do I need to add any water or anything?

Thanks in advance!

[chops1sc]

Thanks to everyone for your input! It’s amazing how we all have different ways of doing!

[StirCrazy]

I use little packets of an orange based chemical. I do find stuff is better broken down using it than when I don't and there is no smell

[IB853347201]

rk911 wrote:
we tried the 'no chemical' way and did not like the results. we used Happy Campers waste treatment and were pleased with the results.

Us too! Happy Camper is the best! Been doing it this way for over 25 years now.

[hondapro]

Happy Camper works great for us

[corvettekent]

Calgon liquid and Dawn detergent for us. If the tank smells just add more water.

After dumping the tank, I add a few gallons of water and we are good for another 18 days until we dump again.

[stickdog]

Thirteen years fulltime, water, water, water. It's worked for us.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

I travel in the summer when it's usually very hot. The bugs in the tanks get very active when the tanks get hot. And then things get very smelly because those tanks are vented to the atmosphere and they gas off.

That being the case use the blue bottle to kill off the bugs to make things less smelly.

Works for me so I keep using it. If I camp in the fall when it's cool I usually don't need it.

So do I use a tank treatment? Yes, most of the time.

[HappyKayakers]

Fulltiming since 2006. Started out NOT using chemicals. Very conscientious about dumping and flushing when needed. Then I had an issue with the black tank valve not opening completely so I started using Tank Techs RX (Now Just Science). It worked great to liquify the solids and eliminate all the wasted water from refilling and flushing the tank. I'll do a full flush maybe once or twice a year now.

[wa8yxm]

Did it both ways... The only difference I noticed is if on a full service site and I dumped. rinsed and CLOSED THE VALVE. no problem.. If I forgot and left either the black or gray valve open Stink.

[Michelle_S]

Cap of Calgon and cup of Dollar Store Pine Sol Cleaner, and lots of flush till it runs clear.

[Grit_dog]

chops1sc wrote:
This is two-part thread....

I have been RV camping for most of my life. I can always remember my dad using the old blue liquid in the toilet after dumping the tanks. This what I did once I started camping with my family.

How many of y'all use chemicals in the black tank?

WHEN do you use the chemicals?

I have seen few videos that talk about the treatments becoming inactive after a long period of time sitting in the tank and even causing issues with build-up. My common sense light comes on when I think about adding the treatment before the trip.

Also, this is my first camper with a built-in flush for the black tank. Once I am done, do I need to add any water or anything?

Thanks in advance!

Why not just try it without chemicals? If it don’t smell, you don’t need ‘em. Too many variable to place an absolute yay or nay on some tank cleaner/smell good stuff.

[Thermoguy]

Started using Borax, Happy Camper and Dawn. Got rid of the smells we were getting. I also add 3-5 gallons of water after every dump.

[RLS7201]

No chemicals for us.
Dump, close valve, have wife flush full commode 4 or 5 times, open valve until empty. Flush dump hose with gray water. Have wife put 5 commode bowls of water in black tank to keep every thing wet. Wife reminds me to wash my hands.:o

Richard

[Boon_Docker]

dedmiston wrote:
No RV chemicals for me. Every few dumps I'll add some Calgon liquid and some blue Dawn detergent, but that's it for us.

As far as flushing, I flush every time I dump unless I'm in a hurry and I'm staying someplace with full hookups the next night. Once the water flows clear, I'll close the black valve and keep the flush running for a moment to add a few gallons to the tank so there's something to swish around.

Try not to overthink it.

That is exactly the same thing I do, tank treatment is a waste of money.

[rk911]

we tried the 'no chemical' way and did not like the results. we used Happy Campers waste treatment and were pleased with the results.