Community Forums

rogo88 · 05-30-2013, 07:34 PM

When using the black water tank for the first time [season], is there some "starter potion" you add to the tank before general use? Looked in my manual, but saw no istructions.

Thanks.

LJowdy · 05-30-2013, 07:44 PM

Many different chemicals are available on the market, some are powder, some are liquid and some are pellets. All are available at any trailer/rv supply store as well as Wallmart.

I've been Rving since 1972 and I've used them all. My favorite is Piranha available only via the internet. It's the ABSOLUTELY BEST PRODUCT I've used in the holding tank, including the gray water tank. It smells like cinnamon and isn't caustic. It's availabe here: Super Seal Specialty Co.

jnp_macklin · 05-30-2013, 07:47 PM

Everything I have ever read has always said you start with a couple gallons of water from the commode and then dump the proper dosage of chemical treatment and use as normal. The chemicals have additives that help to lubricate the knife valve seals, and protect from seizing and freezing in the colder months.... RV antifreeze in the off season will help to prevent any damage to tanks and pipes, when introduced properly.

I'd say fill it with the chemical & 5 gallons or so of water, and use it like you mean it.

TXiceman · 05-30-2013, 08:08 PM

If you are into alternative methods, you might try hanging a bag of chicken bones and a garlic wreath on the wall by the toilet.

Just kidding. Use a couple of gallons of water first and then your chemicals. A minimum of 1/2 full when you dump and use lots of water when you flush.

Ken

BFlinn181 · 05-30-2013, 08:29 PM

Just use additives that are formaldehyde free. Those chemicals are to kill bacteria, not promote their growth. Formaldehyde tears up a campground's septic system by reducing the bacterial breakdown of waste and toilet paper. Stick to the bacteria based additives.

flaggship1 · 05-30-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

If you are into alternative methods, you might try hanging a bag of chicken bones and a garlic wreath on the wall by the toilet.
Ken

I swear I paid Madame Voodoo $50 for that and it was suppose to bring money into my life. Still waiting and guess I know why now.

Otherwise - agree - water is your friend. After that - pick your potion. If your'e hooked up - save the money - top tank with water and dump and flush often. Doesn't take much time and A clean tank is better than a "French Bathed Tank". Shower trumps perfume.

amanda_h · 05-30-2013, 09:36 PM

rogo88, I'm going to be the odd man out in this particular thread because we use "nothing." We've tried a variety of chemicals and potions through the years and have come back to what a lot of RVers do and that is to use "nothing."

Not wanting to be flamed here, I will not dispute the answers you've received so far but if you go back and read other threads on iRV2 and other RVing forums, you'll see that it's half-and-half ...half of us use "nothing" and half use a variety of different chemicals and/or homemade concoctions. There's nothing wrong with spending money on chemicals. What you really have to ask yourself is do you really need to spend the money. We've found that keeping the tanks clean and using a lot of water seems to work just as well as using a lot of chemicals.

We do use a modified Geo Method (click) every so often to loosen anything that may be clinging to the walls, to make the walls slippery, and to lubricate seals, etc. but I'm not sure if even that is absolutely necessary.

But I mention doing "nothing" as just an alternative. Chemicals are fine too.

-harry

RVNeophytes2 · 05-30-2013, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amanda_h

rogo88, I'm going to be the odd man out in this particular thread because we use "nothing." We've tried a variety of chemicals and potions through the years and have come back to what a lot of RVers do and that is to use "nothing."

Not wanting to be flamed here, I will not dispute the answers you've received so far but if you go back and read other threads on iRV2 and other RVing forums, you'll see that it's half-and-half ...half of us use "nothing" and half use a variety of different chemicals and/or homemade concoctions. There's nothing wrong with spending money on chemicals. What you really have to ask yourself is do you really need to spend the money. We've found that keeping the tanks clean and using a lot of water seems to work just as well as using a lot of chemicals.

We do use a modified Geo Method (click) every so often to loosen anything that may be clinging to the walls, to make the walls slippery, and to lubricate seals, etc. but I'm not sure if even that is absolutely necessary.

But I mention doing "nothing" as just an alternative. Chemicals are fine too.

-harry

I'm wondering if Harry's method isn't best for Tecma toilet owners like me.

Really, everything is drenched in water, there is no "open air" contact with odors since there is always water in the toilet, just like in our homes.

PyrateSilly · 05-30-2013, 10:12 PM

Your RV tank is not a septic tank and even if it was a septic tank there is nothing more for you to add anyway but water. There is nothing to really do but make sure there is enough water that you do not end up with a mound of dry p00p. Water and more water is your friend, not enough of that and it will not matter what else you add in there.

The best advice I can give besides add water is to make sure you put nothing in that tank but whatever comes naturally out of the body and toilet paper. Do NOT flush any wipes, female products, diapers, paper towels. And you do NOT need to buy that RV toilet paper, any TP that you use at home should be fine. Just make sure it says it's septic safe. Not that your tank is a septic tank but where you flush is probably a septic tank.

RickO · 05-30-2013, 10:18 PM

After trying everything around while full timing, we ended up using just a lot of water and about a 1/4 cup of whatever cheap dish washing liquid WalMart sells. We use the GEO Method to keep it clean, but not religiously.

BTW, glad to hear that the Piranha product has happy customers. I don't use it but have used other SuperSeal products for years and like them.

Rick

JMonroe · 05-31-2013, 07:30 AM

We used to think we had to use "something", but now that we are full time we have gone to the "nothing other than water" group. I will occasionally put something in the tank, along with a quarter to half tank of water, while on the road to kind of clean things up a bit.

For most of us, I doubt the "stuff" is in the tank long enough for the bacteria, enzymes or whatever to really do a lot. This isn't like your home septic tank where you rely on bugs or chemicals to help break down and liquefy the waste before it's pumped or dumped into the septic field.