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!

[way2roll]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

HappyKayakers wrote:
Maybe you can tell that to the states who get their water from the Colorado River. The same ones who just had to hammer out a new agreement on water usage with a lot of cuts.

While your claim may or may not be true, this planet has never been host to so many humans who use water without thinking of the consequences.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
OMG.......

"After reading about various water shortages across the country, I'm perfectly happy with using a probiotic in the tank and conserving water."

You do understand that the amount of water on this planet has NEVER changed??????

Best go back to the Cave.

YES it's true.

LOL. Yes there is a finite amount of water on the planet. It never changes. Might change form and location, but the amount never changes.

Nature gave us all the chemicals we need. The amount of time required for any chemical or probiotic to breakdown waste in an RV holding tank is much longer than I care to let it sit there. And letting it sit that long would simply exacerbate any smells you are trying to get rid of. Anything that covers up smells is a band aid. It's a holding tank. And ideally it shouldn't hold anything longer than a few days.

RV holding tanks are sealed systems with the exception of a roof vent. If you have odors, that's a systemic problem not a waste problem.

Also, many people confuse grey tank odors with the black. I always ensure all my sink drain stoppers are in place when putting it in storage. If the sink traps dry then you can have grey tank smells come into the camper. Easily remedied by adding water to the traps.

And as far as water conservation, I am certain that the amount of water I use when flushing the RV toilet is equal to or less than any household toilet. But it's pretty simple, use less water, have more solids and harder to drain your tanks. No chemical or probiotic is going to magically liquify something when there isn't already enough water.

[Bionic_Man]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

HappyKayakers wrote:
Maybe you can tell that to the states who get their water from the Colorado River. The same ones who just had to hammer out a new agreement on water usage with a lot of cuts.

While your claim may or may not be true, this planet has never been host to so many humans who use water without thinking of the consequences.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
OMG.......

"After reading about various water shortages across the country, I'm perfectly happy with using a probiotic in the tank and conserving water."

You do understand that the amount of water on this planet has NEVER changed??????

Best go back to the Cave.

YES it's true.

Not sure how you can be serious about that statement Cummins. The comment about population growth and drought (especially in the US Southwest and Colorado river drainage) are spot on.

Or you can bury your head in the sand and not acknowledge the fact of a 20 year drought.

[Reisender]

In cooler weather nothing if we know we can dump within a few days. In Warner weather yes. We use those drop in packets from Canadian tire. Seem to do the job.

[opnspaces]

chops1sc wrote:

I am 1000% in favor of using as much water as you can while using the camper. But if the camper is in storage mode, I feel like a chemical would help with the smell.

Are you getting a smell when you first open the door after the trailer has been sitting for a while? Or are you getting the smell when flushing the toilet?

If when first opening the door to the trailer, it's very possible you're getting gray tank smell.

If you only get the smell when flushing definitely make sure any and all vent fans are turned off before using the bathroom. You can always turn the vent back on just after you flush. A fan will pull stink out of the tank when the flush valve opens. Aside from that, if water is not working then yes you might need to look into adding a chemical.

[Cummins12V98]

HappyKayakers wrote:
Maybe you can tell that to the states who get their water from the Colorado River. The same ones who just had to hammer out a new agreement on water usage with a lot of cuts.

While your claim may or may not be true, this planet has never been host to so many humans who use water without thinking of the consequences.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
OMG.......

"After reading about various water shortages across the country, I'm perfectly happy with using a probiotic in the tank and conserving water."

You do understand that the amount of water on this planet has NEVER changed??????

Best go back to the Cave.

YES it's true.

[HappyKayakers]

Maybe you can tell that to the states who get their water from the Colorado River. The same ones who just had to hammer out a new agreement on water usage with a lot of cuts.

While your claim may or may not be true, this planet has never been host to so many humans who use water without thinking of the consequences.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
OMG.......

"After reading about various water shortages across the country, I'm perfectly happy with using a probiotic in the tank and conserving water."

You do understand that the amount of water on this planet has NEVER changed??????

[chops1sc]

I certainly appreciate everyone’s comments here and the conversation is very intriguing. Something we all should consider here is the different type of RVer’s. I am very much a weekend warrior (and often months between trips). I can’t help but think a full-timer is going to have a very different approach to black tank use and care vs someone that only uses their camper every other month.

I am 1000% in favor of using as much water as you can while using the camper. But if the camper is in storage mode, I feel like a chemical would help with the smell.

[JIMNLIN]

The real question is how to you handle potential odors in your system. Some use chemicals and others simply use lots of water and empty tanks regularly. I do believe that both work. If you don't want to use chemicals, use water.

Good point ...goes right over some folks head tho. They think their way is the only way and others that do it differently don't know what their doing.
Lots of variables if you have a stinky tank. Down here where we can have 110+ temps much of the summer months bad bacteria build up in the summer regardless of what system your using.
Also how long those tanks sit before the system is cycled. I've tried the do nothing method.....no chemicals method.... calgon/Dawn detergent method and other methods that others use.
I'm happy with the method I use and glad other have a method to stop the stink.

[Cummins12V98]

OMG.......

"After reading about various water shortages across the country, I'm perfectly happy with using a probiotic in the tank and conserving water."

You do understand that the amount of water on this planet has NEVER changed??????

[Cummins12V98]

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pbeverly wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
Calcium Nitrate is the chemical often used in black tank treatments. It is also used in wastewater treatment plants for among other things - guess what - odor control. It does not kill the bacteria beneficial to breaking down waste. The perfume smelly additives are generally organic citrus products and similarly harmless. Use the stuff if you want, or not, whatever floats your boat.

RVs have holding tanks not septic systems. The holding tanks aren't designed for decomposition as nothing stays there that long.

ZACTLY!!!

This is quite a funny debate ,as we experienced RV guys know , water ,water ,water .I have used those drop in packets off ,and on for years. They make little difference , if any .

ZACTLY!!!

[aftermath]

I say we go for 5 pages with this fascinating topic. OK, the only thing I want to point out is that this tank you carry around is NOT, NOT, NOT a septic tank. It is a holding tank. There are two completely different functions here. If you believe that all the good bacteria needs to be in place to digest the contents of the tank so that it will take care of all smells then I would like to ask where is your drain field to handle the digested liquid. Pretty silly concept, I know. Do you use chemicals? It is a yes or no sort of thing. The real question is how to you handle potential odors in your system. Some use chemicals and others simply use lots of water and empty tanks regularly. I do believe that both work. If you don't want to use chemicals, use water.

[HappyKayakers]

I consider myself an experienced RV guy and used to belong to the water, water, water crowd but that doesn't mean I have to continue on that path. After reading about various water shortages across the country, I'm perfectly happy with using a probiotic in the tank and conserving water.

cummins2014 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pbeverly wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
Calcium Nitrate is the chemical often used in black tank treatments. It is also used in wastewater treatment plants for among other things - guess what - odor control. It does not kill the bacteria beneficial to breaking down waste. The perfume smelly additives are generally organic citrus products and similarly harmless. Use the stuff if you want, or not, whatever floats your boat.

RVs have holding tanks not septic systems. The holding tanks aren't designed for decomposition as nothing stays there that long.

ZACTLY!!!

This is quite a funny debate ,as we experienced RV guys know , water ,water ,water .I have used those drop in packets off ,and on for years. They make little difference , if any .

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pbeverly wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
Calcium Nitrate is the chemical often used in black tank treatments. It is also used in wastewater treatment plants for among other things - guess what - odor control. It does not kill the bacteria beneficial to breaking down waste. The perfume smelly additives are generally organic citrus products and similarly harmless. Use the stuff if you want, or not, whatever floats your boat.

RVs have holding tanks not septic systems. The holding tanks aren't designed for decomposition as nothing stays there that long.

ZACTLY!!!

This is quite a funny debate ,as we experienced RV guys know , water ,water ,water .I have used those drop in packets off ,and on for years. They make little difference , if any .

[Grit_dog]

Grit dog wrote:

aftermath wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
....I also use coconut oil to keep the valves lubed.
No smelly tank issues.

And, how exactly, do you do this? Just pour some down the toilet? Do you add some after you have dumped the tanks? I just had to replace my two valves in my 2006 trailer. Looking for a simple way to do some preventative maintenance here.....Thanks.

Not those valves. I think. But there’s a reason this hit 4 pages….lol

Nevermind….he meant all the valves. Previous post said he dumps in the “oil”lol to an empty tank! Now I’ve heard it all….
Thanks for the laugh jimlin. And why you air out your tanks? That’s weird too.

[Grit_dog]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

pbeverly wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:
Calcium Nitrate is the chemical often used in black tank treatments. It is also used in wastewater treatment plants for among other things - guess what - odor control. It does not kill the bacteria beneficial to breaking down waste. The perfume smelly additives are generally organic citrus products and similarly harmless. Use the stuff if you want, or not, whatever floats your boat.

RVs have holding tanks not septic systems. The holding tanks aren't designed for decomposition as nothing stays there that long.

ZACTLY!!!

Both you two should think more and type less. You’re showing yer azz (like amZoil) with those statements….
If you don’t know why, try my first suggestion….lol