Holding Tank Routine

[gbaglo]

Years ago there was a columnist at the Vancouver Sun who wrote a piece about making your own cleaning solutions.
Not sure where she got her information, but she came up with a bathtub cleaning solution which was concocted of ammonia and bleach ( as best I recall ), creating a poison gas.

So careful with your creations. And maybe somebody can do a detailed cost/benefit analysis of the Geo method. I tried it once, but Calgon wasn't cheap and the box was bulky and heavy. Not at all convenient.

[gbaglo]

Just thinking, maybe the title for this thread on recipes should be Holding Tank Poutine.

[Iowa Dave]

Glenn
I worked in a meat packing plant for several years. One night the night cleanup crew drew the conclusion that an ammonia and bleach concoction would work well on a large conveyor belt. They mixed it up and spread it liberally and about 6 of them promptly hit the floor. A forklift driver happened into the room at that time and was able to get them out. Close call for sure. I'm not much of a chemical mixer. A good friend was a high school chemistry teacher when a student's mismixed chemicals exploded and blinded my friend for life. I hear you when you encourage caution.
Dave

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Years ago there was a columnist at the Vancouver Sun who wrote a piece about making your own cleaning solutions.
Not sure where she got her information, but she came up with a bathtub cleaning solution which was concocted of ammonia and bleach ( as best I recall ), creating a poison gas.

So careful with your creations. And maybe somebody can do a detailed cost/benefit analysis of the Geo method. I tried it once, but Calgon wasn't cheap and the box was bulky and heavy. Not at all convenient.

Hi: gbaglo... All ingredients for the "Geo" method are home use/laundry safe. Originally concocted of laundry detergent, bleach, calgon and water. Calgon keeps the tanks walls etc. slippery. The dishwasher detergent just combines detergent and bleach.
I'm not that fussy about concocted mixes myself...you can get bad ice!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Alf
I'm pretty much a straight up man. I usually don't use or trust ice. I do like a nice beer chaser after a good shot of American Bourbon or Canadian whiskey. And Thursday afternoon I will give thanks for the great distillers and brewers of the world by sampling their wares.
Dave

[46indian]

Originally Posted by skiman

I guess it won't leave spots on the dishes.

Definitely give it a try as soon as my tub of packets run out. Like that is readily available. I could never find the Calgon in store around here for the Geo.

As usual, Amazon is your friend! (That is where I get it.)

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: gbaglo... All ingredients for the "Geo" method are home use/laundry safe.

That's it. Ammonia and bleach are both home use/laundry safe, but when combined produce a deadly gas. Obviously there are a lot of people who have used the 'Geo' method and are still alive..

[thoer]

I tried the Geo method once, but at the prices I paid for powdered Calgon, it was cheaper to buy the commercial products.

[richardr]

Has anyone installed a black tank sprayer in an Escape 21? If so I am very interested in how and where you installed it.

Also, if using a black tank spray wand, how do you run the hose for the wand with the bathroom being on the side away from the dump station?

[SFDavis50]

http://www.tanktechs.com

Read the site and watch the tube videos. You can order it from Amazon with free shipping. (for Prime members)

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by richardr

Has anyone installed a black tank sprayer in an Escape 21? If so I am very interested in how and where you installed it.

Also, if using a black tank spray wand, how do you run the hose for the wand with the bathroom being on the side away from the dump station?

Actually, the black tank stretches all the way across the front and is close to the side hatch opening which is on the dump side. But either way, most dumps do not have a water hose hook up, you clean the tank before arriving at the dump.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

But either way, most dumps do not have a water hose hook up, you clean the tank before arriving at the dump.

This must be regional as I've never used a dump station that didn't have a water hose hookup. Sometimes I needed to use my own gray water hose, but there's always been a hose bib to put non-potable water in the tank for cleaning.

[cpaharley2008]

The dump water available I have been exposed to is via an overhead flexible hose with a rubber attachment to clean off your sewer line, but with people behind you in line, hooking up a separate water hose and flushing your tanks just does not happen, thus no water.

[jerryandmaria]

I carry an extra hose for draining grey water in an emergency, and install my spray wand and bring it thru the door. You can only do this if there is nobody behind you in line. I also always do it when I get home. I add a bag of deodorizer and then 5 quarts of water. My tank looks like it was brand new.

[Kountrykamper]

If you have not tried it this is some good stuff. I add it after several gallons of water have been added to the tank.

Unique RV Digest It - Unique Distributing

[Greggo]

Wow, what a relief. At first glance, I thought this thread was about Holding Tank POUTINE! I know some don't care for it but it's not really bad, folks!

[advenas]

For those of you using a tank flush system....might watch this video on testing those and how well they work. I was interested because being a newbie I wanted to find out if they were worth it or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfTd0Slt_cU

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by advenas

For those of you using a tank flush system....might watch this video on testing those and how well they work. I was interested because being a newbie I wanted to find out if they were worth it or not.

Have seen those videos many times. The tornado type sprayer that mounts to the inside of the tank works best by far. If you don't have one installed, or in my case, you don't want to, then a tank wand works just fine. Those clear attachments that go on the sewer outlet and connect to a garden hose are pretty much worthless in actually cleaning the tank. They do clean the drain pipe.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by advenas

For those of you using a tank flush system....might watch this video on testing those and how well they work. I was interested because being a newbie I wanted to find out if they were worth it or not.

Rewatched the video's . If you want the easiest and simplest way to clean your tanks , the wand is it . We are able to put right down the toilet through are bath window . We have a short clear connection on outside . We dump the valve from toilet then ,close that valve , then dump the gray tank as you should .After the gray is dumped , close that valve . Go back to black tank using your wand in toilet , fill the tank , closing your valve . There is someone inside and there is a shut off on the wand , so no worries . Dump black tank and we usually fill black tank again. Because you fill the tank it cleans the sensors and the tank a lot cleaner . We also use Orderless in the tank . Pat

[richardr]

Originally Posted by jerryandmaria

I carry an extra hose for draining grey water in an emergency, and install my spray wand and bring it thru the door. You can only do this if there is nobody behind you in line. I also always do it when I get home. I add a bag of deodorizer and then 5 quarts of water. My tank looks like it was brand new.

The way you clean out your black tank is how I'm expecting to clean out mine, by running the hose under the trailer, through the main and bathroom doors. I was hoping to use the bathroom window, but my expectation is that the screen for the frame-less bathroom window does not open.