Treatments for Black Tank?

[AuthorSP]

Hi folks, I tried searching the forums for this, but no luck, so I may have the wrong terminology. I understand some folks recommend adding a treatment to the black tank. (Not the grey also, right?).

What is the best product? Any tips? Thanks!

On a side note, we got the first pics of our 5.0 build yesterday!

[Donna D.]

I used a Therford liquid product for years, then they changed the formula... again and this time it wasn't nearly as good. Using Happy Camper now and am satisfied. Can use it in the gray tank too if you wish.

[7Gentex]

Lots of water.... It's a holding tank, not a treatment / septic tank. You don't want "things" to break down..................go to 5:30 in the below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs7Y...heJourney.Life

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Hi folks, I tried searching the forums for this, but no luck, so I may have the wrong terminology. I understand some folks recommend adding a treatment to the black tank. (Not the grey also, right?).

What is the best product? Any tips? Thanks!

On a side note, we got the first pics of our 5.0 build yesterday!

Picture Day is the best, isn’t it?! Congrats.

We use a dry powdered product called Odorlos (also comes in liquid too). It was recommended by some on this forum, so that’s what we went with. It’s done the job for us, as we are, indeed, odorless. Haha.

We do use it in the grey tank too.

[AuthorSP]

Good stuff to start with, thanks all!

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

Lots of water.... It's a holding tank, not a treatment / septic tank. You don't want "things" to break down

I agree. We don't add anything except extra water to rinse after the contents have drained.

Ron

[7Gentex]

Nitric acid salt composition.................observe safe handling.

http://www.valterra.com/wp-content/u...Liquid-SDS.pdf

[occer]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

Lots of water.... It's a holding tank, not a treatment / septic tank. You don't want "things" to break down..................go to 5:30 in the below.

Interesting video with good information. If you go to his website he tells you the formula to make a treatment that is inexpensive.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Good stuff to start with, thanks all!

Hi: AuthorSP... We don't get "Tanked" to often but we do use the Geo method. Made of washing products...Calgon water softener, and dishwasher( low sudsing) detergent w/ bleach. Google "The Geo Method" for the recipe. Just be careful that you don't gas yourself mixing chemicals. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Donna D.]

I'm not going to watch a 60 minute video. Is the treatment formula called the GEO Method? IF so, the worst plugged black tank I've heard about started with people who only used the GEO Method. There's nothing in the chemicals used that are manufactured to breakdown TP or feces.


Sorry Alf, we were posting at the same time. If it works for you great, I'll never use it though.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I'm not going to watch a 60 minute video. Is the treatment formula called the GEO Method? IF so, the worst plugged black tank I've heard about started with people who only used the GEO Method. There's nothing in the chemicals used that are manufactured to breakdown TP or feces.


Sorry Alf, we were posting at the same time. If it works for you great, I'll never use it though.

The Kleen Tank recipe is Pine-Sol and Calgon bath pearls......No thanks. IMHO - Pine-Sol REEKS!

Not enough water in the black tank before use is usually the problem.............then letting it sit too long ( a week +)

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink......

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

Nitric acid salt composition.................observe safe handling.

http://www.valterra.com/wp-content/u...Liquid-SDS.pdf

Certainly wouldn’t want Odorlos or Happy Camper in reach of children - like almost all cleaners (including Pine-Sol, btw, which also has a scary Safety Data Sheet).

Otherwise, I don’t know about such a dire warning. We use the powder, but wouldn’t worry about the liquid either since we never travel with kids. The usual YMMV applies.

The emphasis by the Kleen Tank expert in the video on using plenty of water when flushing is great advice, though. We follow that as well.

[HBGH]

On a recent trip to Ft. Worden State Park (WA state) a sign posted at the dump station asked that campers not use any holding tank additive. The sign's text read more of a plea than instruction as it described the problems tank additives cause for park rangers and asked that campers not use them. As this is the first camper we've had with a black tank I was a bit surprised at this since the variety of tank treatments abound. I didn't take picture of the sign but then wondered how and/or when I was going to use the treatment we had purchased.
Before this posting I briefly searched the Washington State Parks' web page and the internet generally with a variety of search terms but did not find on-point content. However, I will respect Park's request.

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by HBGH

On a recent trip to Ft. Worden State Park (WA state) a sign posted at the dump station asked that campers not use any holding tank additive. The sign's text read more of a plea than instruction as it described the problems tank additives cause for park rangers and asked that campers not use them. As this is the first camper we've had with a black tank I was a bit surprised at this since the variety of tank treatments abound. I didn't take picture of the sign but then wondered how and/or when I was going to use the treatment we had purchased.
Before this posting I briefly searched the Washington State Parks' web page and the internet generally with a variety of search terms but did not find on-point content. However, I will respect Park's request.

Hi, HBGH, here’s a link to what I found re: the Washington State Parks call for campers eliminating use of RV holding tank additives when emptying tanks at their park dumping stations.

https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/fil...s//337-135.pdf

Not advocating or objecting to their policy. Just found it and posted for folks to review if they want.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by YakRV

Hi, HBGH, here’s a link to what I found re: the Washington State Parks call for campers eliminating use of RV holding tank additives when emptying tanks at their park dumping stations.

https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/fil...s//337-135.pdf

Not advocating or objecting to their policy. Just found it and posted for folks to review if they want.

It's about the chemicals, not about all tank treatments. But if you read the PDF, there's this: " Odors from holding tanks can be reduced by emptying the holding tanks every day,..." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA


Don't you wonder if the people writing these 'suggestions' have ever used an RV? Especially since campsites with FULL hookups, which includes sewer, are nearly NULL in Washington State campgrounds. They're easier to find in private parks and the 'suggestion' doesn't apply there.


Oh brother....

[AuthorSP]

How much water should we start with in the black tank?

[HBGH]

Originally Posted by YakRV

Hi, HBGH, here’s a link to what I found re: the Washington State Parks call for campers eliminating use of RV holding tank additives when emptying tanks at their park dumping stations.

https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/fil...s//337-135.pdf

Not advocating or objecting to their policy. Just found it and posted for folks to review if they want.

It's a Department of Health web page...I should've searched there too... good thinking!

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by HBGH

It's a Department of Health web page...I should've searched there too... good thinking!

I appreciate the compliment. It was probably more of a blind squirrel and nut thing though…..

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

How much water should we start with in the black tank?

I’m sure others on here have better answers, but we start with about a gallon of water (with the powder Odorlos). We rarely go “number 2,” and always, always flush with lots of water each time.

FYI, here’s a previous thread I found on the subject of black tank treatments with more thoughts on the subject from fellow Escape owners:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...e-18510-3.html

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

How much water should we start with in the black tank?

Hi: AuthorSP... Maybe 2 gallons. Enough to fill the line to the gate valve and put some in the bottom of the tank. Remember... emptying your black tank every seven days makes one weak!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie