I stumbled across an interesting YouTube video today that takes a look at the age old topic of pouring a bag of ice down the toilet.From what I can tell, it helps but only a little. I hadn't thought of this before, but since ice floats, it really doesn't make contact with the solids at the bottom of the tank unless you drain the liquids first. I think the quantity and makeup of the ice would be big variables too.The video is worth a watch though.SENSITIVITY WARNING: There is no actual human waste in the video, but he uses simulated waste per a NASA testing recipe. Personally, I score this a 4 of 10 on the yucky scale. As much as we discuss tank maintenance on these forums, there shouldn't be anything we haven't already discussed here before. Nobody should be shocked.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

I've heard that for years. Was under the assumption that folks mainly used the ice when the gauge quit working and must be driving for it to be effective. Personally have never tried it but do add a couple gallons of water and Dawn dish liquid after dumping the black tank.It's been a very effective method for many years.

kellem wrote:I've heard that for years. Was under the assumption that folks mainly used the ice when the gauge quit working and must be driving for it to be effective. Personally have never tried it but do add a couple gallons of water and Dawn dish liquid after dumping the black tank.It's been a very effective method for many years.Same here: Water, Dawn, and some Calgon. The gauges have worked great since I started doing this a few years ago.

If I was going to try the ice technique I would go with very little water so the ice is sliding across the bottom of the tank. And I would not use bags of ice. Freeze water in 12 oz aluminum cans, tear the aluminum off and drop big chunks of ice down the toilet. Then go for a drive with lots of turns.Might get some things loose from the bottom of the tank.

The "ice trick" is not meant to clean the bottom of the tank, it's meant to clean the sides of the tank. Not uncommon top have a piece of TP or similar hang up on a sensor and give you false readings. The ice bounces around the sides of the tank on the way down to the dump station and is supposed to clean off the sensors.

Forget the black tank. Put the ice in a glass of margarita !Guy

Do ice cubes in the black tank really work? | Good Sam Community

H___E
Explorer
Jul 13, 2020
We have been using Pine Sol and drop in tank treatment for 12 years. Always put a couple of gallons of water in tank after dump and flush. So far no issues with sensors or smell. When I dump I run the flush water until the waste runs clean. (Use clear plastic in 3" hose)
dedmiston
Moderator
Jul 08, 2020
Grit dog wrote:
Poof!!

You're a smart guy though. You knew that would happen.

Use dirty language, watch your posts get deleted. It's not complicated.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jul 08, 2020
Poof!!
Wishbone51
Explorer
Jul 08, 2020
navegator wrote:
.and have the cap on the vent that I can remove to insert the tube and flush the gray tank.

If you're going that far, why not just dump ice cubes down the gray vent? :P
navegator
Explorer
Jul 08, 2020
The ice cubes just keep "le crapo" kool, calm and collected, nothing more.

1/4 tank of water one bag if ice cubes and one 1/4 cup dishwaser detergent and having the black water tank in the rear and off center helps a lot, I drive slowlly arround the block jerking the steering wheel back and forth, it does clean the tank preety good unfortunately all the cheap sensors in all the tanks were useles from the second month since purchased, I made a window for the potable water tank and marked it, use a flash light down the head and the shower tub lets me know that the grey is full.

Now all my neighbors do the tank wadlle, they all wanted to know what on earth I was doing so I showed them, now we do not have stinky tanks. I also made a 12 foot wand with white PVC pipe with a union in the middle and it hooks to the garden hose and glued a cap at the other end and drilled small holes, and have the cap on the vent that I can remove to insert the tube and flush the gray tank.

navegator
mgirardo
Explorer
Jul 08, 2020
I don't think it is any more effective than just leaving water in the black tank to slosh around while driving. If you do use ice, I'm pretty sure you'd need a lot more than what is used that video.

-Michael
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2020
How long do you think ice will last in the tank?

When you are finished dumping add a few gallons of water & let that slosh around till the next dumping.
Wishbone51
Explorer
Jul 07, 2020
harley4275 wrote:
Start using the geo Method, will take a few fills and dumps but walls and sensors get slippery and all stuff falls off.

I've been doing this for awhile now .. A couple of years ago, my trailer was sitting for three years with a 1/2 full tank. Took it to the dump, and was surprised that with only one re-fill and dump, the sensors were still clean.

Often after a drive, they will show 1/3, at least until the tank walls dry off, but I'm happy to always have the other two lights work.
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Jul 07, 2020
I camp with 10 to 15 friends at our personal property. At the end of every weekend we dump the leftover ice into my black tank. I drive 50 miles home on hill crooked roads. My tank looks good when I shine a light down the toilet after dumping. Results may vary.
harley4275
Explorer
Jul 07, 2020
Start using the geo Method, will take a few fills and dumps but walls and sensors get slippery and all stuff falls off.