holding tank maintenance

I clean my tank with one of those wands. Use a clear elbow on the dump hose. I lower the wand into the tank and move it up and down. Then I dump the water and watch the clear elbow. Repeat the process until water is obviously particle free. Two or three times is all it usually takes. I only use drop-ins for oder control. No need to waste money on products to "break down" waste. It is a holding tank right?

The only risk in using any of those tank treatments is to your wallet. Many people have been brainwashed into believing advertising hype and the idea that higher price means a better product. Not true, none of those products are necessary.

Every tank product will claim it is better. I use stuff from WalMart, works fine.

Road Phantom wrote:
TankTechs Rx Probiotic
Anyone here of the above product for cleaning holding tanks? It's supposed to be superior to other chemicals, Formaldehyde and others?

I was tempted to order some of that. I've been using RV Digest It since August of 2013 ($50/gal) and really was not happy with it... especially this summer when the temps went way higher than normal here in the NW. We went away for a couple of months leaving lots of water and a big dose of RV Digest it in it (after dumping the tanks) and came back to a smelly Black Tank.

Anyway, I was really tempted to try the TankTechs RX stuff but I looked at the shipping costs I backed off.

I went into our local Ace Hardware store about three weeks ago and they had something on the shelf I had not seen before called DRAINBO... The Natural Solution... Marine & RV Treatment and Cleaner... The Environmentally Safe & Sure Way for Holding Tank Clean-Out 1/2 Gallon is good for 10 Treatments Cost about $10 and after three weeks (3 dumps) I am really happy to say it worked well from the first treatment. So I recommend it.

I use a clear adapter beween end of drain line and sewer hose.
Yep.....clomps/lumps and wads of stuff come whooshing by, and I don't really care.

Tank gets as clean as needed just using water..dumping tank when at least 3/4 full.
The weight/volume of liquids rushing down and out a 3" line is all that is really needed.

I always get a chuckle our of the steps/methods that folks will go to when dumping waste tanks BUT don't get it a moments thought when flushing toilet at home.
1 1/2 gallons of water that can't push the stuff/tp the complete distance down that slightly sloped house drain line...and it's OK
Dump thru a 3" line down a short run and extra measures become necessary :H

But its' all good........if the foo-foo/microbe/slippery soap methods makes one feel they are doing good...then they are.

I know for a fact my truck runs quicker/smoother/better after I wash/wax it :B

Road Phantom wrote:
Water won't break up all of the solids..

Maybe not the corn. In 12 years of using nothing but water I've never had any clumps that I'm aware of. If there are any they're not significant.

Water won't break up all of the solids. Any solids left, not only in the tank, but also in the plastic drain line will stick in places and harden and then crystallize.
I think I will go with the detergent/water softener idea and once a month or so, follow up with bleach.

What beemerphile1 said!!

You don't need anything but water. If you have an odor, you have a problem and it needs to be fixed....not covered up. Poor sensor readings are a way of life with the cheap level senors installed in the black tanks. For the most part, you'll just have to live with it.

Just because the product is advertised, does not make it a requirement.

Ron

I've never understood the need to "clean" waste tanks. Are you planning on storing potable water in them for later use?

Most of the products sold are for odor control. There is no need for cleaning if you use an adequate amount of water.

Don't fall prey to marketing gimmicks, save your money on all those products.

You'd probably have to leave it in there for several days and have adequate heat before it really can start working. Kind of like how RidX works for septic tanks. The Geo method works well and will probably cost you nothing or next to nothing since you probably already have the ingredients. At $40 you could get some really good quality probiotics for yourself which would be much more beneficial lol.