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

[rockhillmanor]

2012Coleman wrote:
I'm not sure how ice and water from melting ice combined with "driving over bumpy roads" does anything but waste time and money - and ice better used to chill beer. When you clean something, you are using an abrasive and scrubbing it, and the resulting friction helps to clean the surface. I don't think there is much friction created by slippery ice running over the surface of hard poop. And if you put lots of ice in, it won't move at all. I'd take the advice above and soak it. Clean it with the wand and repeat if necessary.

You can get a clear elbow to check the color of the water coming out.

Good luck!

"Good tip" to see if there is still more stuff to come out and to continue filling and dumping until it runs clear of the stuff.

[2012Coleman]

I'm not sure how ice and water from melting ice combined with "driving over bumpy roads" does anything but waste time and money - and ice better used to chill beer. When you clean something, you are using an abrasive and scrubbing it, and the resulting friction helps to clean the surface. I don't think there is much friction created by slippery ice running over the surface of hard poop. And if you put lots of ice in, it won't move at all. I'd take the advice above and soak it. Clean it with the wand and repeat if necessary. You can get a clear elbow to check the color of the water coming out. Good luck!

[rockhillmanor]

Go and buy the chemicals that were designed for Recreation/Marine black tanks. AND have been around for years and work. THEY actually 'break down' waste. All the others just perfume it and the rest of the hokus pocus ones are nothing more than a water softener. And think about the size of your tank and just how much ice you would need for it to even make a difference.:R

Buy a box of Campa Chem from Walmart. Make SURE you buy the one labeled POWERFUL ODOR CONTROL there is a box labeled similar for the greenies that does not work at 'breaking down' waste. Also Look on the label for 'breaks down waste' to make sure you buy the correct one.

I would put a little over half a tank of water and 4 bottles in. Either let it sit or drive around. And repeat if necessary. If you can hook the fresh water up to warm water all the better.



That said. You mention you just bought a new to you RV. Does the bathroom sink drain into the black tank?

That might be the difference from your other RV. So you are seeing the new one filling up faster from the added water from a sink.

Mine does and when I am boondocking I do NOT use the bathroom sink to brush teeth or even wash hands. Makes a BIG difference on how quickly the black tank fills up especially if you have several people on board the RV.

Good luck I hope you get to the bottom of the problem. Especially if it is a mountain of poop from the previous owner! :W

[dons2346]

jplante4 wrote:
The Geo Method

Excellent method to use.

One thing you might check since your black tank fills up quick is to see if one of your gray water pipes is plumbed into the black tank.Some trailer manufacturers did that because their gray tanks aren't that big.

[ncrowley]

I also vote for using the geo method for cleaning the tanks.

[TechWriter]

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?

[jplante4]

The Geo Method

[DutchmenSport]

It takes time, but fill your tank and then add a a box of Rid-x, used for septic tanks. Rid-x is a yeast (an emzine) that's made to break down solids. The only problem is, it takes time to do it. So fill the tank and let it sit a week or so. The build up will begin to break down and then you'll be able to drain it out. You might have to repeat a few times to get it all out.

You can also use an emzine eater for keeping drain pipes clean. In this case, I don't think you want a full tank of water, but enough to make the build up wet. The emzines will eat and dissolve the solids. Once soft, the solids will flush out.

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.

[TechWriter]

Oasisbob wrote:
Maybe some hot soapy water and a drive. Really would not reccomend much more than that as it will be hard on seals.

Since OP mentioned bleach, I assume you're talking about the effect of bleach on RV "seals".

The only seals or gaskets in RV holding tanks are the blade valves and the toilet gasket. The blade valves probably use Santoprene which is unaffected by bleach. While a toilet gasket may be adversely affected by bleach, just avoid pouring bleach onto it or immediately flush the bleach off with water.

[DrewE]

Bleach will do next to nothing to break up solids and scum in the tank. It's an oxidizer and disinfectant, but not really a cleaner in the traditional sense.

Dishwasher detergent (not hand dish soap) would probably be the first thing I would try. Leave it in and drive around for a good while, preferably over curvy, bumpy, or hilly roads to get good agitation.

[Oasisbob]

Maybe some hot soapy water and a drive. Really would not reccomend much more than that as it will be hard on seals. Also would reccomend a permanant sprinkler type flush kit be installed ASAP. Can you see anything through the toilot?

[the_bear_II]

I would fill the tank with at least 5 gallons of water, wait for a day to let it soak in and then take a drive on a bumpy and curvy road several times. Some folks dump in a couple of bags of ice cubes to help break up stuff as it sloshes around.

Dump to see if that helps... a clear hose attachment helps to see what comes out. You can get one online or at an RV supply store.

An alternative (and will take longer) would be to fill the tank nearly full then dump in some Thetford Waste digester chemical. I prefer the powdered kind. Be sure to use the amount suggested based upon the size of your holding tank and maybe one extra envelope for good measure. Take a drive to slosh it around and then let it sit for a few days. Take another drive and then dump.

Hit the bu