Black Tank smells

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

MM49 wrote:
The original Thetford formaldehyde formula is still the best.
MM49

That is exactly what I'm using right now as I sit in 90+ degree weather in Joplin. Why do I use formaldehyde? Because it flat out works that's why. There must be a reason that 99 out of 100 embalmers put formaldehyde in there RV toilets. :B

Me too. I do also have some of the weaker formaldehyde free stuff for the grey tank ame also for short use in the black tank or use in cooler weather, but for longer term usage or for use in hot weather the Thetford blue stuff with formaldehyde works best.

MM49 wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
People make this WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more complicated then it needs to be. Me? I dump any product that has formaldehyde in it.....DONE.

It kills the good the bad and the smelly bacteria.

I only really need to do this during hot weather. During hot weather I add a bottle and done........I then get on with my vacation.

Some are absolutely nuts about this build up thing. News flash: Fecal matter is water soluble. It's not concrete and once it's dry and hard it never becomes soft and liquid again. If you don't believe me just get a Mason jar and put a little hard dry dung in it along with some water and see what happens in about a week.

Come on people. It's a container with poo in it. It's not that complex, really. :S

The original Thetford formaldehyde formula is still the best.
MM49

That is exactly what I'm using right now as I sit in 90+ degree weather in Joplin. Why do I use formaldehyde? Because it flat out works that's why. There must be a reason that 99 out of 100 embalmers put formaldehyde in there RV toilets. :B

Is it me or does it seem like it's getting harder to find?

With 3 people using the toilet, can go 5 days with "Happy Camper" without any smell. 6th day, time to dump. Happy camper is the best product I've used so far. Although I found it necessary to use it at twice the recommended amount.

¥^¢££¶

anaro wrote:
For those of you using formaldehyde, remember it is a preservative and as such, it will prevent your waste from breaking down.

This simple statement is not necessarily correct. ;)

Yes it is a preservative (anyone who took biology in high school will remember the specimens preserved in formaldehyde will agree). BUT it has other uses and indications. It is a disinfectant (good for holding tanks) but according to the EPA "Ingestion exposure to formaldehyde in humans has resulted in corrosion of the gastrointestinal tract and inflammation and ulceration of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach." In other words it does not always preserve and can break down certain biological structures - maybe poop is something that it will also break down.

Thank You for all the responses. I will investigate the plumbing and keep you posted. Is there a repair kit you can get if it is the seal on the toilet?

For those of you using formaldehyde, remember it is a preservative and as such, it will prevent your waste from breaking down.

waltah wrote:
any negatives to using calgon liquid instead of powder?

I use the liquid calgon water softener and liquid detergent, no issues.

JJBIRISH wrote:
When it comes to articles about septic treatment there are many, most with a financial connection or interest… few are very credible or are marginally credible with heavy content on the marketing end… none meant or closely related to RV use or short term holding tanks such as a RV has…
When it comes to breaking down or digesting the solids these chemicals are a complete waste because even if the chemicals are activated in a few hours no noticeable digestion or break down is accomplished in the few weeks its held there… the bacteria needed to do that is already there and grows at a rate that naturally accomplishes that process…

What I have never seem is credible evidence that anything but water is needed for good short term holding tank operation… killing the smell (bleach) is killing the natural bacteria breaking down the solids that drives the smell, and can be harmful to the eventual septic or disposal system the effluent ends up in…

If smell inside the coach is a problem adding chemicals can mask the smell with the new disgusting chemical smell to replace the old smell…

But if the system is functioning right the odor is drafted out of the holding tank through the vent and dissipated into the air and diluted sufficiently by the air to not cause a problem in the first place…

Adding anything but water in unnecessary and maybe more harmful than good in the grand scheme of things…

Proper use of water would eliminate the need for cleaning beyond light flushing now and then with a good flush before long term storage…

Exactly x2

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
People make this WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more complicated then it needs to be. Me? I dump any product that has formaldehyde in it.....DONE.

It kills the good the bad and the smelly bacteria.

I only really need to do this during hot weather. During hot weather I add a bottle and done........I then get on with my vacation.

Some are absolutely nuts about this build up thing. News flash: Fecal matter is water soluble. It's not concrete and once it's dry and hard it never becomes soft and liquid again. If you don't believe me just get a Mason jar and put a little hard dry dung in it along with some water and see what happens in about a week.

Come on people. It's a container with poo in it. It's not that complex, really. :S

The original Thetford formaldehyde formula is still the best.
MM49