What chemicals to use

[dr3x]

Not really new to RVing but not a real veteran yet. We purchased a used unit and are having trouble with the black tank filling up real quick. I do not think the tank is draining completely. I have tried to flush the tank with wand thru the toilet. My question would be what chemicals would be save to use and is bleach a good option to help break up hard deposits.My guess is the previous owner on their trips to Florida always stayed connected to sewer and did not let tanks fill.What should I or shouldn't I use?
Thanks ahead of time dr3x

[Veebyes]

Since 2009 we must have cycled through ours hundreds of times of dumpings. After dumping the black, usually on the way out of the CG, we put a few gallons of water into the tank & off we go. The water sloshes around as we drive along disolving whatever might have been left in the tank for the next dumping.

[TechWriter]

DutchmenSport wrote:

TechWriter wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
Bleach is OK for sanitizing, but you really want to flush it out and not sit. It will deteriorate your slide valves and rubber if left alone.

And you know this how?

Been there, done that on my first camper. That's how!

I suppose if you had an early 2000ish camper, it could have had polybutylene (PB) plumbing which bleach would have attacked.

Otherwise, it wasn't bleach that did in your first camper. Bleach won't harm RV plumbing (unless it's PB). RVs use ABS, PEX, Santoprene, and polyethylene -- none of which is affected by bleach. The only "seals" that may be affected by bleach are toilet ball valve gaskets.

BTW, I don't recommend bleach for cleaning OP's black tank or for using on a daily basis. Bleach won't break up old poo and it's not necessary to sanitize all that often.

[BCSnob]

If Rid X really breaks down solids why does Rid X still indicate you'll have to have the solids pumped out of your septic tank periodically?:h

[Wishbone51]

coolbreeze01 wrote:
Are you going by the gauge or actually looking down the commode with a flashlight?

That was my question... How do you know that it's full?

[Dave_H_M]

I you want to clean that tank out (if it needs it),go to wally word and get the wand that if flexible and has the whirling nozzles on the bottom.

Stick it in the tank thru the john seat and clean her out.

also you can search poop pyramid and get the same suggestion.

it will work, but is not as scientific as a bunch of the other home remedies.

[B_O__Plenty]

Pouring chemicals into a black tank is like a stinky guy loading himself up with cologne. Usually ends up smelling worse and doesn't do anything for the problem. Try flushing it with real hot water from your hose and lots of it. That might help break up the residue...

B.O.

[2012Coleman]

dr3x wrote:
Thank you to all that have taken the time to reply I think I will go with Geo method and repeat as needed.

Thank You All

Be sure to update with the results! No pictures needed though!

[coolbreeze01]

Are you going by the gauge or actually looking down the commode with a flashlight?

[DutchmenSport]

Don't loose track of the OP's original problem. He's asking how to clean the tank out, thinking there is a solid build up that not's washing out. He's not asking how to prevent it, he's asking how to remove it.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Ditto on Campa Chem that rockhillmanor said above for the black tank. You may need to use 2x the amount in hot weather. That's what we use. We use Scott toilet tissue that says RV Septic safe.
For the gray tank we use 1 cup of Dawn Platinum dish detergent and 1 cup of Borax dissolved in 2 cups of hot water.
No odors on either black or gray tank.

[wa8yxm]

What chemicals: Water (but see note)
IS bleach a good product: NO one of the worst in fact.

Notes
There is an entire industry (Chemical) designed to empty your wallet.. They talk about the Stink and how our chemicals eliminate it, Digest the waste and so on.. There is a slight truth to the 2nd claim in some cases (Rid-Ex for example) None to the first. ONE time I've had stink issues.. Turns out that in some parks the underground plumbing is very stinky (The park I'm in for example) and I left the gray valve open, the stink was backing up from the septic system. Closed valve, stink gone, Like magic.. Had same thing happen in the office I used to work with,, People complaining of stink in restroom,, I poured water into the floor drains (Renewing the water trap) Stink gone, Like magic.

Waste Digesters however.. Those actually work... S*L*O*W*L*Y.

A good biological waste digester (RId-EX for RV claims to be one, Have not tried,m have used a few others) IF your rig seems to fill swiftly you may have the dreded POOP PYRAMID,,, (A pyramid of dried poop) You can break it up using a valterra Master Blaster or home made equal.. Or you can try adding lots of water (fill tank like 2/3 and some Digester and letting it sit for a month, Dump and repeat. Dump and repeat. May or may not work. Again, This is theory I have never tried it. I've watchewd them use a master blaSTER, THAT WORKED.

[Allworth]

Or from High School Chemistry class.

[DutchmenSport]

TechWriter wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
Bleach is OK for sanitizing, but you really want to flush it out and not sit. It will deteriorate your slide valves and rubber if left alone.

And you know this how?

Been there, done that on my first camper. That's how!

[dr3x]

Thank you to all that have taken the time to reply I think I will go with Geo method and repeat as needed.

Thank You All