Community Forums

Jarog · 06-07-2013, 10:36 AM

What kind of Product Is everyone using To clean their black Tank? I've noticed a ominous smell coming from mine. What rituals do you do to clean it?

adonh · 06-07-2013, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarog

What kind of Product Is everyone using To clean their black Tank? I've noticed a ominous smell coming from mine. What rituals do you do to clean it?

Here is info on the Geo Method that a lot of people use.

https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

Maladjusted · 06-07-2013, 10:44 AM

I use a product called "Break-up". They advertise on this site.

Seems to work well... no stink from my potty.. .and I have a 3 yr old daughter that can smash out a trucker sized duece!

I have also heard a 40 lb bag of ice and some dish detergent down the hole.. then go for a drive. Ice will scub it clean!

good luck
Mal

JacknKay · 06-07-2013, 10:45 AM

I use a product called Happy Camper that a full timer recommended to me. It seems to work well. Don't forget to treat the Gray tank as well and the Black.

http://www.5starhappycamper.com/

Jack

puttin · 06-07-2013, 03:25 PM

I use the geo method....no harmful chemicals:

https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

Jarog · 06-07-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maladjusted

I use a product called "Break-up". They advertise on this site.

Seems to work well... no stink from my potty.. .and I have a 3 yr old daughter that can smash out a trucker sized duece!

I have also heard a 40 lb bag of ice and some dish detergent down the hole.. then go for a drive. Ice will scub it clean!

good luck
Mal

I have a four year old niece so I get what your saying. She's as destructive as an upside down volcano.

Jarog · 06-07-2013, 03:43 PM

I like the geo method. I think that's what I will adopt. However, I just bought my 86 itasca a few months ago and have t used it as it has been under reconstruction. Now it's ready to roll and so are we. Next week we leave for a two week tour up north. So I'm behind the learning curve on the functionality of my rig because focus has been spent on freshening up the chassis components. That being said since the weather is getting warmer the smell is getting worse back there. It's almost demonic at times. I attempted to couch it months ago after purchase and discovered PO had put it away with about 3 gal of voodoo still in the black tank. I feel like I should get after it with some heavy "dooty" chemicals the first time.
Anyone ever had to do some real hard core clean out? Also should I put something in the fresh water tanks?does
Anyone drink from the fresh water tank?

LakeKerrGuy · 06-07-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puttin

I use the geo method....no harmful chemicals:

https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

Is the chlorine bleach not harmful? I'm new at this, but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere not to put bleach in the holding tanks. On the other hand, I read about using chlorine bleach to sanitize the fresh water tank and system.

Comments from those who have used bleach in holding tank.....?

UFO Pilot · 06-07-2013, 04:11 PM

We use Dawn liquid detergent every couple of months. Clean the tanks, drive to our next destination and dump ASAP. Been doing that for the last 4 or 5 years and no smells and no chemicals.

toneumanns · 06-07-2013, 04:25 PM

"Break up" works pretty well. I also added a vortex vent on the roof. Pulls the smell out as long as there in a wind source.

tomwalt · 06-07-2013, 04:54 PM

This is my variant of the Geo-method using what you have around the house - it worked well for me (my tank stunk when I first got it).
1) Just prior to you pulling out on your next camp trip, dump about 4 or 5 gal mix of hot water, liquid laundry soap, liquid laundry fabric softener (variant of the Geo method) down the toilet and drive more than 10 miles to shake things up.
2) Prior to leaving camp or when the black water tank is 2/3 full (or more), dump.
I think that if you do this 5 gal Geo treatment/drive/camp/dump (your normal dump cycle) your tank will smell good:>)
If traveling, after each dump add the 5 gal of water with the soap/softener mixed in.

WriteOn · 06-07-2013, 06:03 PM

Do RVs made since, say 1998, have an indicator so you know how full your tanks are?

CD · 06-07-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarog

What kind of Product Is everyone using To clean their black Tank? I've noticed a ominous smell coming from mine. What rituals do you do to clean it?

Be sure the vent pipe is open. If not , it doesn't what method you use it will stink. "how do I know this?"

CD · 06-07-2013, 08:24 PM

[QUOTE)Do RVs made since, say 1998, have an indicator so you know how full your tanks are?[/QUOTE]

They have had indicators on older RVs than that. The Geo Method works good for keeping sensors clean and working.