Community Forums

devlucyl · 04-13-2014, 11:03 AM

What is the best chemical to use to keep tank clean?

johnsonk555 · 04-13-2014, 11:08 AM

We use Spic-N-Span. When I finish dumping the tank I use the flush system to clean the tank and then close the valve to add water to the tank and then the cleaner is added to do its work while we drive to the next stop.

**TonyDi** · 04-13-2014, 11:26 AM

When in use I use Happy Camper - Secure Online Credit Card Ordering.
Whe I pack up to go home after flushing the tank I put Dawn dish washing liquid in with about one gaallon of water. The sloshing around in the tank with this soapy mixture keeps it clean.

brobox · 04-13-2014, 11:35 AM

Any good soap product after dumping and flushing the tank and heading to the next stop. I have used Pinesol, Awesome, Dawn, liquid laundry soap, etc added to 5-10 gallons of water. We rarely use a tank additive except in hot weather between dumps and have never had an odor problem.

Cat320 · 04-13-2014, 12:59 PM

If your toilet is properly installed and vented, no chemicals or deodorizers are needed. Like noted above, I use Calgon or Dawn to aide in flushing the black tank.

Cousin Ed · 04-13-2014, 01:59 PM

In 12 years, 140,000+- miles for at least 5 months a year, we just use lots of water and it has worked for us.

mel s · 04-13-2014, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat320

If your toilet is properly installed and vented, no chemicals or deodorizers are needed.

Cat320
My thoughts exactly!

RV toilets, drain systems and holding tanks are designed and built so odors will not/can not enter the coach, (when everything is working properly).
If odors get into a coach, something is leaking or broken, or the owner/occupant is doing something wrong.

BTW, IMO chemicals/deodorizers do nothing more than make sewage smell like sewage with perfume added.

To answer Devlucyl's original question..... nothing, (other than never using it), will KEEP a RV tank CLEAN.

Mel
'96 Safari, 132k miles

MSHappyCampers · 04-13-2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

When in use I use Happy Camper - Secure Online Credit Card Ordering.
Whe I pack up to go home after flushing the tank I put Dawn dish washing liquid in with about one gaallon of water. The sloshing around in the tank with this soapy mixture keeps it clean.

X2 on the Happy Camper treatment! It's great and less expensive than most if you use it as they recommend! I've been using is for about 10 years and am totally satisfied!

scenic route · 04-13-2014, 03:27 PM

Most of the time, a good flushing of the tank is all that is needed to pass the sniff test with the vent fan on. Here's a really good video to explain...

How To Dump And Clean Your Black Water Tank | RVNana

pumper9x9 · 04-13-2014, 06:16 PM

This is a discussion that is going to offer a lot of opinions on this subject. If you want to buy Thedford Tank and Sensor cleaner, it works. I have to use it about 1 a yr to keep the gauges clean and it takes care of stuff on the walls..
Happy Camping

mgscott4 · 04-13-2014, 06:21 PM

H2O

89sandman · 04-13-2014, 06:39 PM

another vote for dawn. nothing wrong with making the crap, pun intended, that comes out smell better. keeps the tank clean too, a win win!!!

PyrateSilly · 04-14-2014, 08:19 AM

Things to remember about the black tank:
The only things that should go down the toilet are what comes naturally out of the body and toilet paper. No need to buy the expensive sandpaper that they market as RV toilet paper you can pretty much use any that says "septic safe" on the package.
Do not put paper towels, handy wipes, butt wipes, any female products, etc down there.
Use water when you flush, do not try to flush without water. That's the surest way to get the "dreaded pyramid of poo" and then you will need help and it will be very messy to dump the tank.
After you dump the tank and close it then add in at least a gallon, if not 2 or 3, of water just to make sure you have something in there to keep things moist and not dried out.
We've full timed for a few years now and no chemicals are used and no problems so far. The tanks are holding tanks and not a septic tank so you really should not treat them as one.

Don and Barb · 04-15-2014, 03:12 PM

I use the tank additive from Walmart, I think it's Camco, and have no smells. I did read on one of these forums to put in a gallon of water and then dump a bag of ice down the toilet and drive a few miles so the ice can bounce around and clean the packed on stuff off the sides and bottom. Once the ice melts, empty the tank. I don't think you would have to do this every time, but once or twice a season would be ok.