Black Water Treatment Options

[Jim Bennett]

Hi Mike and Maureen.

Originally Posted by ronstew

Two household chemicals that you should never mix are bleach and ammonia. Poison gas. I ruined a hardwood floor with the micture once, too. Nasty, nasty nasty.

Anyway, I will be sure to use Tater Tots to clean my glass the next time. hehe

Sorry to hear about your hardwood floor, but how did it work on your toilet

[gbaglo]

Yup. That was the mix our consumer columnist recommended. She should have tried it in a closed room with no ventilation before it was published.

baglo

[escape artist]

Hi: All...Well for my money I'll stick with the Geo Method. All eco friendly laundry room products that my wife uses. Hasn't killed off the competition yet nor ruined my drawers. Alf p.s. You can use it to wash your socks too!!!
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[gbaglo]

Do you put your socks in the black tank or the gray tank depending on how dirty they are? I need to know.

baglo

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: All...Well for my money I'll stick with the Geo Method. All eco friendly laundry room products that my wife uses. Hasn't killed off the competition yet nor ruined my drawers. Alf p.s. You can use it to wash your socks too!!!
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

How well do your tank sensors work? Are they always pretty accurate? Do you ever have odor problems from either one of your tanks?

[Hokie Escape]

The key to having accurate monitors and non-smelly tanks is to take care that they are clean. The GEO method works great if you start from the beginning, if not, you must first THOROUGHLY clean the tanks to remove all residue (ie. something like the wand). The "slick-ening" effect of the calgon solution only works on smooth tank walls. Placing some non-formaldehyde commercial products to encourage organic breakdown of solids is fine too, but not enough to keep the tanks clean. Perhaps the gray tank is harder to clean, in that what accumulates there is "soap scum", and the fact that it doesn't drain as well as the black tank.

[Donna D.]

YMMV... Your mileage may vary. But I like some of the other explanations better.

Okay, you wanted real world experience. This is the one I've been using... in powder form. I think next time I'll get the liquid. The blackwater tank in my trailer is only about 9 gallons and one 40z bottle should last me a couple of years. I like this stuff because it controls the odors, does what it describes and doesn't have a perfumy smell.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...332601&rewrote

"Odorlos is an industrial strength, environmental award winnner so effective that 4 ounces eliminates all holding tank odors without masking perfumes or staining dyes.

Breaks down waste and tissue, lubricates valves, safe for any septic tank system, safe for chemically sensitive people and safe for plastic or porcelain toilets and all holding tank systems. Contains no formaldehyde and works by speeding up the natural composting process by preventing hydrogen sulfide gases. 4 oz./40 gal. tank. Available in: 40, 68, 136 oz. Liquid, 10-pack and 5lb. Eco-Size Dry."

[gbaglo]

Well, I haven't used the wand yet. I topped up the fresh water tank and I've had the new converter installed in the power center. Toad has been on AC with the fridge on as I'm prepping for my week of fishing the Skagit River. No hookups.
I pressed the monitor button and behold!!! Both gray and black tanks read empty, fresh water reads full and the battery reads charge.

I am one happy camper. I've got a couple dozen beer in the fridge, a couple more under the bed, a couple bottles of red wine ( I don't drink wine, but it seems the thing to have ). Got a bottle of port ( exception to my wine preference ), some Kaluha and Drambui. Filled most nooks and crannies with chips and dips, chocolate.

Tomorrow I buy actual food.

I'm going to put those tanks and that monitor to the test.

baglo

[Jim Bennett]

Glenn, I'm jealous.

[JeffZ]

who needs food- ya got the barter system!!

[thoer]

I am going to try one of the enzyme treatment methods. I like the fact that they don't contain any toxic chemicals and at least in theory - they should work very well. Anyone already trying them?

Eric

[ronstew]

Nine years ago I rented a motorhome from Canadream. They used an enzyme powder. Add a tablespoon with every flush.

If is good enough for a rental outfit.....

[genec]

This is not so much a black water treatment but an odor problem when you don't get a clean dump.
On our 5er we have hard time getting a clean dump. This tank must be shallow and flat as we always have remains in the tank when dumping whether the tank is full or partly empty when dumping.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how get a cleaner dump?
Gene

[Garand]

We often pour a half bag of ice in our Casita's tank after dumping at the campground. It scours the tank while we drive. A quick stop at a rest area with a dump station and we're clean for the trip home. We don't get our 5.0 until September, so I can't compare the RDA (Relative Dump Action) of the two trailers.

Dave

[escape artist]

Hi: All... I still recommend The "Geo Method"... Calgon W/Softener+ Laundry Deterg.+ a bit of Bleach. Alf p.s. makes dumping SLICK!!!
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Hokie Escape]

I'm with Alf! Works for us too. That's about a gallon of water with the detergent/calgon/bleach, which we add after dumping, and before the ride home. When I get home, and it's agitated very well, I dump into a 2 1/2 gallon bucket, and dump that in the toilet. Simple, and keeps it clean!

For those who have not beeb able to find Calgon in local stores, Amazon has it for $10.(US) with $6 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Calgon-Water-S.../dp/B00007J6DA

[thoer]

What ratio of water softener, detergent and bleach do you recommend? Do you keep them mixed and ready to pour in?

Thanks!
Eric

[escape artist]

Hi: Eric T ... We have a water softener at home so I use 1/2 cup ea. powdered Calgon+laundry detergent and 1/4 cup bleach. Disolve all ingredients into a 1 gal pail with a tight fitting lid or 2 plastic juice bottles. Add some to the grey and black water tanks as needed. YMMV. Alf... google "GEO Method" and click on C Bruni.for the exact recipe!!!
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie