Black Tank Treatments - Yay or Nay?
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Jun-09-2023 10:28 AM
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!
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Jun-19-2024 12:00 PM
We have been using Pure Power for years. After emptying the black tank, 1/4 cup of Pure Power in a half gallon of water poured down the toilet bowl will help prevent objectionable odors and to keep the tank clean. Highly recommend.
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Jun-18-2024 03:47 PM
When you could get the treatments that had formaldehyde (like Thetford Campa Chem) we used them part of the time. Usually last dose of a trip. These worked pretty well. Ones without formaldehyde don't work very well and we don't usually use any of them. I don't think they do any good. Keeping a good amount of water in the tank is as good as anything.
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Jun-14-2023 05:24 PM
Grit dog wrote:
Roflmao
Maybe you remember this..Back several years the City of Seattle declared a water shortage and people with odd number address watered on odd days and even on even. People abided by these rules. Next thing ya know they had a budget shortfall, raised the water rates and then all of a sudden the shortage was over and they were rolling in the $$$.
Smoke and mirror in so many cases. Water shortage in NW WA, yea right!!! It's all about control.
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Jun-14-2023 09:04 AM
HappyKayakers wrote:
Everything has a measurable impact on water supply. Letting the water run while brushing your teeth, using an irrigation system on your lawn that floods the street, and yes, black tank flushing. While each of these has minimal impact, add them all up (plus the hundreds of other ways we waste water) and you make a difference. It's the same principle as backpackers drilling holes in their toothbrush handles. Grams make ounces and ounces make pounds. The attitude of 'if it doesn't make a major difference, it doesn't matter' is self defeating.
way2roll wrote:
Are you guys seriously trying to say that RV black tanks have any measurable impacts to water supply and demand and droughts? And further that black tank treatments and chemicals will solve this issue?
Some folks pick odd hills to plant a flag on. I appreciate the concern. I am still not going to use black tank chemicals and as much water is needed. My feeling is that water helps the breakdown process so when it gets to the leech field or treatment plant, less energy and water is required to break things down and remove the very chemicals that were added unnecessarily. Add to that, an RV toilet and subsequent black tank uses considerably less water than a sticks and bricks one. To each his own, I'll pass on the preaching session though. I'm not sold on your logic regarding RV black tank's impacts to droughts. It's probably the opposite by comparison. In any event, this whole debate is really silly.
Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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Jun-14-2023 08:28 AM
way2roll wrote:
Are you guys seriously trying to say that RV black tanks have any measurable impacts to water supply and demand and droughts? And further that black tank treatments and chemicals will solve this issue?
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Jun-14-2023 07:52 AM
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Jun-14-2023 07:52 AM
Jeff - 2023 FR Sunseeker 2400B MBS
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Jun-14-2023 07:25 AM
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Jun-14-2023 06:52 AM
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Jun-13-2023 05:41 PM
Water isn't being destroyed, it's just recycled. Water soaks into the ground an into the aquafers which we pump out of, but when finished we return it, it doesn't get lost anywhere.
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Jun-13-2023 05:27 PM
Cummins12V98 wrote:Bionic Man wrote: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.
WHY do people never READ what I say??? On edit, Comprehend What I Say???
Water volume on this planer has never changed. Are you disagreeing with me, I don't see you doing so.
So read my words, do you think there is a water shortage in the Coachella Valley, CA?
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Jun-13-2023 05:00 PM
Bionic Man wrote: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.
WHY do people never READ what I say??? On edit, Comprehend What I Say???
Water volume on this planer has never changed. Are you disagreeing with me, I don't see you doing so.
So read my words, do you think there is a water shortage in the Coachella Valley, CA?
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"
"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable
2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD
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Jun-13-2023 03:25 PM
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Jun-13-2023 12:55 PM
Yes, it is true that in a perfect world, where nothing goes wrong, you do everything right and never make mistakes, and all systems, components on your RV work as they should all the time....In that world, yes, you should never have odors, even if no chemicals.
However, I don't live in that perfect world. None of us do, if we are honest.
In my world, the real world.....Sometimes things go wrong. Things like:
Sewer hoses sometimes spring small leaks.
Seals sometimes wear out and let sewer odors leak out before the seal can be fixed.
Vent lines can get clogged and allow odors to come out places they aren't supposed to.
Hose clamps can loosen or break and allow a small leak (or a big one).
Sewer hookup or dump stations aren't always such that one can connect to it with a completely airtight seal.
The list goes on and on of what can and does go wrong in the real, imperfect world we all live in.
Because of all those things that can and do go wrong...I use a black tank chemical. It is there to mitigate odors when unfortunate circumstances require that it be mitigated briefly.
Its really a personal choice, and everyone will tell you something different, as this thread has shown. For me personally, I try to do what I can to mitigate odors, just in case they do find a way to escape.
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