Community Forums

Tillerman7 · 08-16-2016, 03:07 PM

Just wanted to ask a basic question. Is there any difference in the holding tank chemicals offered on the market? Specifically Pure Power Blue and say TST? Both basically read the same, just wanted to know what you guys use and or prefer.

HHIDan · 08-16-2016, 03:14 PM

My first camper was a Class C in 1986, used blue stuff for the first two years. Never used any more ever since. JMHO, buy beer instead!

IC2 · 08-16-2016, 03:25 PM

Dump and flush well regularly should be all you need. I do occasionally use whatever was cheapest at Wally World if we don't dump for several days but only as a deodorant as my assessment over several years is that most of it is useless breaking down the solids.

Cat320 · 08-16-2016, 03:27 PM

Water is all you need, the more the better.

Tillerman7 · 08-16-2016, 03:30 PM

Interesting... They make it sound like you are going to die and pollute the world if you don't use some sort of chemical.

TonyMac · 08-16-2016, 03:34 PM

If you can smell it, that is bacteria breaking down the solids. If you can't smell it, that's the deodorizer killing the bacteria. The breakdown occurs naturally in a septic kinda way. Add a ridex chemical and it'll speed up the process and smell up the whole campsite. Not good. Add a deodorizer and no more smell, but no more breakdown. I go for the no more smell. Don't need no stinkin' breakdown.

Podivin · 08-16-2016, 03:34 PM

Other folks will tell you chemicals will pollute the world - and you're going to die no matter what.

I'm in the 'lots of water' group also.
Never really notice any of these things making much of a difference.

Cat320 · 08-16-2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tillerman7

Interesting... They make it sound like you are going to die and pollute the world if you don't use some sort of chemical.

If properly vented, you should get no odor. The stick house toilet does not smell...the RV's toilet should not smell either.

TechWriter · 08-16-2016, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

If properly vented, you should get no odor. The stick house toilet does not smell...the RV's toilet should not smell either.

But if it does smell . . . dump some bleach in for a quick fix.

Old-Biscuit · 08-16-2016, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

If properly vented, you should get no odor. The stick house toilet does not smell...the RV's toilet should not smell either.

Exactly.........

Only time I get a whiff is if I flush with exhaust fan going.
Otherwise no odors.

They are holding tanks so I dump when full quick rinse then add a couple gallons back in to keep tank bottom wet

Got odors........
Find source (gasket/seal/AAVs/P traps/blocked vent etc) and fix it

Water is my chemical of choice
All others just make poop smell different

jackfish · 08-16-2016, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyMac

If you can smell it, that is bacteria breaking down the solids. If you can't smell it, that's the deodorizer killing the bacteria. The breakdown occurs naturally in a septic kinda way. Add a ridex chemical and it'll speed up the process and smell up the whole campsite. Not good. Add a deodorizer and no more smell, but no more breakdown. I go for the no more smell. Don't need no stinkin' breakdown.

This demonstrates a lack of understanding of bacterial activity. Anaerobic bacteria growth creates objectionable odor while aerobic bacteria growth does not. Hence, products that limit anaerobic activity and promote aerobic activity breakdown waste and eliminate odors. The most effective and cost effective of these products is Happy Camper Holding Tank Treatment.

jackfish · 08-16-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWriter

But if it does smell . . . dump some bleach in for a quick fix.

Bleach will kill the bacteria in the holding tank, including beneficial aerobic bacteria. A better solution is adding something that deters anaerobic activity and promotes aerobic activity. Those who say it is just a holding tank and that stuff is not in there long enough to to see any biological activity are just plain wrong. As soon as you use it, the bacteria in your gut will get things going.

twogypsies · 08-16-2016, 06:42 PM

All we've ever used was plenty of water...no smells and no clogging issues.

HHIDan · 08-16-2016, 07:19 PM

With all due respect to others that prefer to use stuff, as far as I am concerned, the bacteria, the odor and the breakdown can all be dealt with after I flush.

In my tank I don't really care if any "further" breakdown occurs.

If everything is working as it should, there should be no smell in the coach, tanks are closed and sealed. If you have a bad smell in coach something needs fixing...

I also don't see much point bleaching or flushing a tank only to smear it again at the next usage. I have never used the tank sensors, don't need to. When gray tank is full, it overflows in shower. When black is full toilet gurgles when flushed.