Community Forums

MRUSA14 · 06-27-2013, 07:00 AM

To answer the OP, I used NOTHING in my tanks for 9 years in my last coach and never saw any problems. It is poop, after all, it's not supposed to be clean! No odors, either. I guess I had a good vent system. I did add rotating vanes to the top of my vents and I think that helped a lot to prevent odors.

If ever there is a spilled few drops, just flush with plenty of water. I also keep a spray bottle of 2/3 water 1/3 bleach to use on all my water connections, and I can spray with that to sterilize anything I want to make clean. And I always wear strong rubber, (not thin latex) gloves when handling sewer hoses, and I wash them with sopa and water after use. .

floridasnow · 06-27-2013, 07:12 AM

Everyone has a favorite method I guess.
Mine is to NOT use chemicals. Like someone said, "it's a 'holding tank' not a 'septic tank'. I empty the tank every few days. If not at least 1/2 to 3/4 I ADD water before emptying. On our way home after 3-4 months of being on-the-road, I add maybe a 1/3 of a small bottle of liquid dish soap from the $ store with a few gallons of water. By the time I get home all the sloshing around does a decent job of washing everything out.

SultanGris · 07-06-2013, 01:12 AM

I'm new to campers but it was my understanding that the chemicals helped break down the paper and waste as well as eliminate odors. I bought a bag of stuff that was in little thin rubber bags. Bad idea, they all melted together when i had my camper parked with the ac off and now I have to break one open getting blue stuff all over my hand and dump it in. Definitely getting something else next time!

Clay L · 07-06-2013, 08:38 AM

Regarding odor - the waste tanks are a sealed system except for the roof vents and if you have odor you have a problem that needs to be addressed. (Unless you have an exhaust fan going when you flush which will bring odor in.)

Regarding chemicals, we have full timed for 11 years - 10 years in this coach - have used only water and have had no problems whatsoever.

historyljc · 07-06-2013, 01:05 PM

What you have basically is an outhouse on wheels. I've never been in an outhouse that was odor free. After trying many of the sold in RV store popular treatments I switched to Happy Camper and have been very pleased with the results. Maybe one day I will get to age where mine doesn't stink and no treatment is necessary, but until then I believe I'll stick with Happy Camper.

csrrsr · 07-07-2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay L

Regarding chemicals, we have full timed for 11 years - 10 years in this coach - have used only water and have had no problems whatsoever.

XX2!...We don't use chemicals just water. Two adults and we drain every third day. Absolutely no smell. But, if you have smell your toilet gasgets are leaking or your tank needs a good cleaning. Some toilets do not drain directly down into the tank. Those that don't may get a drain pipe smell and may need chemicals to break down solids that build up in the drain pipe.