Smell from holding tanks

[saratoga60]

A friend gave us a recipe she has used for years in order to rid the dreaded black tank smell. We have been on a 3 month trip and have used this religiously the entire trip. It works for us, hopefully for you too.

1 cup ammonia
1 cup pinesol
1/4 cup Dawn dish washing detergent

[bobmac]

Another fan of the 360 RV Siphon vent. They really do eliminate doors in the coach even though they "violate the laws of physics". They are far more economical than adding chemicals or organic whatever to the tank and will have a very short payback period if you are an additive lover. Check the feedback from those that have installed them - I have used them for 6 years and am extremely please. The only time we have the slightest hint of odour is when the toilet is flushed and the fantastic fan located in the ceiling above is running on high.

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

The biggest problem we see is caused by the vent fan in the bathroom ceiling. If we go to flush the commode and have the fan on then the fan has a tendency to pull the gases out of the black tank. We either make sure to shut the fan off before flushing or to open the bathroom window a bit so that we do not have a negative pressure above the commode when we flush. We also use Break Away treatment in the tanks. My wife likes that the best of the brands we have tried.

Gemini5362 is on the right track. If you have anything creating negative pressure in your coach (bathroom fan, kitchen vent, fantastic fans in ceiling blowing OUT, etc) when you flush, the smelly air in your holding tank will be sucked into your coach.

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by saratoga60

A friend gave us a recipe she has used for years in order to rid the dreaded black tank smell. We have been on a 3 month trip and have used this religiously the entire trip. It works for us, hopefully for you too.

1 cup ammonia
1 cup pinesol
1/4 cup Dawn dish washing detergent

Just want to point out that you should never ever combine ammonia with chlorine bleach. So if anyone is inclined to modify the above recipe, just don't use bleach and ammonia together.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

The biggest problem we see is caused by the vent fan in the bathroom ceiling. If we go to flush the commode and have the fan on then the fan has a tendency to pull the gases out of the black tank. We either make sure to shut the fan off before flushing or to open the bathroom window a bit so that we do not have a negative pressure above the commode when we flush. .

X2.
I would only add that ANY vent fan on when the toilet is flushed can/will
pull the gases out of the black tank.
Mel

[PlayItForwrd]

Just got back from spending a week in our Allegro, and an email about this thread was waiting for me...

The one thing I don't like about our motorhome is the Sealand china toilet. And if the OP has one of these toilets, the smell he can't get rid of may be the toilet itself--

2 years ago I had to tear ours out to replace the seal, which gave me a good look the thing-- these things come with a sprayer and they NEED it because they're so terrible at "flushing", if you can call it that. But here's the thing- unlike the plastic Thetford we have in our houseboat that just dumps straight into the pipe and actually has enough water following to rinse decently, these Sealands have a sort of dead-space under the ball seal around the actual dump outlet. Think of a bucket with a 4" hole, and dumping stuff into the bucket-- most is going to go out the hole, but some is going to stay behind around the bottom of the bucket-- That's the way these toilets are! If you fill the toilet and dump clean water down about 3 times after the main flush, you're probably okay, but if not, whatever hangs around starts to stink...

Figured that out on our vacation, and as long as we used a ton of water to rinse, no smells...

[HoleInOne]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

The biggest problem we see is caused by the vent fan in the bathroom ceiling. If we go to flush the commode and have the fan on then the fan has a tendency to pull the gases out of the black tank. We either make sure to shut the fan off before flushing or to open the bathroom window a bit so that we do not have a negative pressure above the commode when we flush. We also use Break Away treatment in the tanks. My wife likes that the best of the brands we have tried.

This is the best answer. I had a smell problem, opened the window when running the fan and smell went away.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by Ramblin

Just want to point out that you should never ever combine ammonia with chlorine bleach. So if anyone is inclined to modify the above recipe, just don't use bleach and ammonia together.

When I was a kid I worked as a dishwasher at a truck stop. We used to bleach coffee cups so I got the bright idea of taking an ammonia based cleaner and dumping it into the bleach to scrub with. Shut down the kitchen in the restraunt for a short period of time. Guy working with me had to go home. Luckily for me the manager liked me and did not fire me. I can tell you from experience Ramblin is 100 per cent correct about not mixing the two.

[motor Home D]

The ZEP Septi-Tabs 0.23 oz. Septic System Treatment helps you break down paper, grease, proteins and starches. Each tab has 100 billion bacteria and treats septic tanks up to 1,500 gallons.

• Helps you break down paper, grease, proteins and starches
• Prevents septic waste backup
• For monthly use; this 4-tab package is a 4-month supply
• Each tab has 100 billion bacteria and treats septic tanks up to 1,500 gallons
• Drop tab in, watch it fizz and flush it down the toilet
• MFG Model # : ZUSEPT4
• MFG Part # : ZUSEPT4

ZEP 0.23 oz. Septi-Tabs Septic System Treatment-ZUSEPT4 at The Home Depot

[Ramblin]

Originally Posted by motor Home D

The ZEP Septi-Tabs 0.23 oz. Septic System Treatment helps you break down paper, grease, proteins and starches. Each tab has 100 billion bacteria and treats septic tanks up to 1,500 gallons.

• Helps you break down paper, grease, proteins and starches
• Prevents septic waste backup
• For monthly use; this 4-tab package is a 4-month supply
• Each tab has 100 billion bacteria and treats septic tanks up to 1,500 gallons
• Drop tab in, watch it fizz and flush it down the toilet
• MFG Model # : ZUSEPT4
• MFG Part # : ZUSEPT4

ZEP 0.23 oz. Septi-Tabs Septic System Treatment-ZUSEPT4 at The Home Depot

The question I have about these sort of treatments is that RVs do not have septic tanks, per-se, they are holding tanks.

These are once-a-month tabs, for instance. I have never allowed my black tank to ferment for a month. I dump far more frequently than that. So I question the ability of the bacteria to have any significant positive impact because there simply isn't enough time for them to do their work. Am I off base?

[so47]

Have read posts in the past that stated pine-sol eats valve seals.

[RickO]

Originally Posted by so47

Have read posts in the past that stated pine-sol eats valve seals.

I've heard about bleach doing this but I used Pinesol for several years with no problems.

Rick

[motor Home D]

I'm a Union Plumber, and have worked around All types of Plumbing systems, You are right, Holding tanks are not Septic Tanks, Your RV Water closet is a low water consumption Toilet, which means, Solids form on the bottom of the tank, on the tank walls, Filling tank with water, Flushing Black tank with black tank flush, does not remove all the residue, I have found that ZEP Septi Tabs, when placed in your Black tank, The commercial strength formula contains a blend of enzyme-producing bacteria that replenish the bacteria destroyed by harsh chemicals. The formula breaks down fats, oils, greases and household wastes. And when used for a week, Cleans, removes odors from tank, Tank has more volume, no need to dump tank as often, 40 Gallon tank is 40 gallons of waste instead of ten Pounds of sludge, and 5 Gallons of liquid.
It is alright if you like to use overpriced RV Chemicals, which don’t work well, just a waste of money. ZEP Septi Tabs Also assist the RV park drain lines, that your RV Connects to, Helps remove build-up in the pipes that are not installed ¼” inch per foot to drain properly, and is beneficial to the septic system. It is a Septic system and cesspool cleaner Strong Powder formula breaks down greases, oils and organic materials lodged in your septic system, Protects pipes against corrosion.
Have a nice Day!

Originally Posted by Ramblin

The question I have about these sort of treatments is that RVs do not have septic tanks, per-se, they are holding tanks.

These are once-a-month tabs, for instance. I have never allowed my black tank to ferment for a month. I dump far more frequently than that. So I question the ability of the bacteria to have any significant positive impact because there simply isn't enough time for them to do their work. Am I off base?

[motor Home D]

Originally Posted by bj32

I have tried about everything to stop the smell from the holding tanks until now.
I tried Calgon water softener, liquid laundry soap and a gallon of hot water, dump it down the stool seems to help some,
Any one have any better ideas?

I'm a Union Plumber, and have worked around All types of Plumbing systems, You are right, Holding tanks are not Septic Tanks, Your RV Water closet is a low water consumption Toilet, which means, Solids form on the bottom of the tank, on the tank walls, Filling tank with water, Flushing Black tank with black tank flush, does not remove all the residue, I have found that ZEP Septi Tabs, when placed in your Black tank, The commercial strength formula contains a blend of enzyme-producing bacteria that replenish the bacteria destroyed by harsh chemicals. The formula breaks down fats, oils, greases and household wastes. And when used for a week, Cleans, removes odors from tank, Tank has more volume, no need to dump tank as often, 40 Gallon tank is 40 gallons of waste instead of ten Pounds of sludge, and 5 Gallons of liquid.
It is alright if you like to use overpriced RV Chemicals, which don’t work well, just a waste of money. ZEP Septi Tabs Also assist the RV park drain lines, that your RV Connects to, Helps remove build-up in the pipes that are not installed ¼” inch per foot to drain properly, and is beneficial to the septic system. It is a Septic system and cesspool cleaner Strong Powder formula breaks down greases, oils and organic materials lodged in your septic system, Protects pipes against corrosion.
Have a nice Day!