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Old 06-22-2018, 01:30 PM   #1
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Black Tank Treatment - Which to use?

Our beautiful Escape 17B arrived a little over a month ago and we're almost ready to head out. The last thing to purchase is a treatment/deodorant for the black tank. I've read reviews on Amazon and am leaning towards the Unique RV Digest-It or Happy Campers. I don't want the perfume smelly stuff. I read a review for Happy Campers that it may be Zinc salt based and the person noticed the seals were drying out. That reviewer added some Dawn dish soap which remedied the dry seals. That concerns me as I don't want things drying up, but if Dawn works then I would do that. Any suggestions that you have learned dealing with treatments/deodorants would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Old 06-22-2018, 02:12 PM   #2
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We use ordorlos and friend of mine that full time in her Altos for the last two years or so uses Happy camper.. no problem what-so-ever
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Old 06-22-2018, 02:51 PM   #3
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I'm happy with Odorlos.
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Old 06-22-2018, 04:25 PM   #4
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Thank you Caddoster and gbaglo - I never checked out Odorlos. That sounds like a good one also. Nice to know too that someone used Happy Camper with no problems. Looks like I have a few options to pick from.
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Old 06-22-2018, 05:12 PM   #5
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I'm happy with Odorlos.
It's strange - that stuff is a solution of Ammonium nitrate.

http://apkgroup.com/msds/English/MSD...3-22-2017).pdf
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Old 06-22-2018, 05:24 PM   #6
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It's strange - that stuff is a solution of Ammonium nitrate.

http://apkgroup.com/msds/English/MSD...3-22-2017).pdf

Why is that strange? Have you looked up Dawn liquid? Borox? Etc.?
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Old 06-22-2018, 05:25 PM   #7
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+1 on Odorlos. I have granules not liquid and it works fine for us for the last 3 years. After I dump the black tank, I immediately put a measuring cup of Odorlos into the toilet and flush about 20 seconds of water into the black tank from the toilet. (Measuring cup is included with the Odorlos.)
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Old 06-22-2018, 05:38 PM   #8
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We swapped to Happy Camper a few years ago when nothing else seemed to work all the time. So far HC does, roughly 8 months of camping nights. I do like that it takes up very little room, the little tub lasts a long time.


Never tried Odorlos, if HC fails it's job we will.


No dried out seals, yet. I do occasionally lube them when the gates start to stick a little. Same with the handle rod.


On edit: We started putting 1/2 a spoonful in the gray tank when we noticed it stank.


Something else. The output pipe from the tanks to the valves hold a fair amount of liquid. If you dump in your treatment right while empty the treatment just goes down the pipe. When I was using a blue liquid treatment and a clear auxiliary elbow on the outlet, I noticed all my blue treatment came out before the crappy stuff. We now dump in a gallon of water before the treatment goes in. No idea how much the pipe in a 17 might hold.
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Old 06-22-2018, 05:55 PM   #9
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I've been using these, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006GF5SK

drop one or two in the toilet and flush, after emptying the black tank and rinsing it out.

and, I rinse one or two of these down the kitchen sink to deodorize the grey tank...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BSB7PU
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Old 06-22-2018, 06:30 PM   #10
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The only problem with the "blue paks" is that some parks won't let you dump if you're using them. Don't know if it's changed since it became a KOA, but Coastanoa, up the coast, specifically forbade dumping if you used any type of 'chemical' in your holding tanks. We've used Happy Camper in our trailer and our houseboat and liked it (marinas on Lake Shasta use Happy Camper); however, last year, we gave TankTechsRx a try. Didn't use it long enough to form an opinion so we may be going back to Happy Camper.

Check out: https://www.usautoauthority.com/best...nk-treatments/
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Old 06-22-2018, 08:08 PM   #11
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The only problem with the "blue paks" is that some parks won't let you dump if you're using them.
I've never seen that anywhere, although I've not camped in California.
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Old 06-22-2018, 08:48 PM   #12
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I thank all of you for the good information on a subject that is not talked about much, but a 'need to know' for a first time trailer owner. Nothing is better than learning from those with experience - Thanks a bunch!
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Old 06-22-2018, 09:00 PM   #13
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The only problem with the "blue paks" is that some parks won't let you dump if you're using them.

Years ago these products contain formaldehyde, which killed the bacteria in septic systems. I don't think you'll find a product today that contain formaldehyde. See the label on Odorlos.
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Old 06-22-2018, 09:09 PM   #14
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Years ago these products contain formaldehyde, which killed the bacteria in septic systems. I don't think you'll find a product today that contain formaldehyde. See the label on Odorlos.
We use the blue packs mentioned above. According to the product description they're formaldehyde free as well.Click image for larger version

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Old 06-22-2018, 09:17 PM   #15
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Yes, manufacturers are becoming more environmentally friendly and most additives are 'green' nowadays; however, we've come across the occasional campground that still believes all additives are poisonous. There's no reasoning with them as they cite the rules (archaic as they are) are still "the rules".

One of our favorite additives is: https://www.amazon.com/Walex-TOI1153.../dp/B004A30VCA , but we switched to Happy Camper because it seems the color (green, blue) can be an issue. Go figure.
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Old 06-22-2018, 09:27 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by CADreamin View Post
The only problem with the "blue paks" is that some parks won't let you dump if you're using them. Don't know if it's changed since it became a KOA, but Coastanoa, up the coast, specifically forbade dumping if you used any type of 'chemical' in your holding tanks. ...
huh, never heard of any such thing. but then i've never camped at Coastanoa although I've driven by numerous time.

edit: huh, they still say, "Tanks must be empty upon check in and free of any chemicals in order to comply with the sensitive nature of our water system. "

wow. we often alternate between hookups and no hookups on multi-stop road trips, so rely on the 'hookup' places to be able to dump as its not always easy to find suitable dumps while driving...
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Old 06-23-2018, 08:00 AM   #17
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Another happy campers here too. They support the egg community
boler 50th Anniversary Sponsors & Exhibitors – Boler 50th Anniversary 1968-2018
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Old 06-23-2018, 08:37 AM   #18
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Another happy campers here too. They support the egg community
boler 50th Anniversary Sponsors & Exhibitors – Boler 50th Anniversary 1968-2018
Maybe we can pick up a bunch there.
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Old 06-23-2018, 09:02 AM   #19
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I've never seen that anywhere, although I've not camped in California.
I’ve run into this at two campgrounds in Wisconsin so the issue is not confined to California
I would presume that certain municipalities or states have tighter environmental laws
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Old 06-23-2018, 09:04 AM   #20
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Please share some photos of the new longer happier camper prototype at the Boler event
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