How to use Black Tank additive

[CountryB]

I have a 40 gallon Black Tank. And my Coach came with some "Holding Tank Additive". But the instructions are unclear to me. It says to add 4oz with 1 gallon of water and then flush into tank.

So does that mean I'm only going to have 1 gallon of liquid in the tank when I put Coach in storage? Or is the intent that I put this stuff into the tank before using it, and while using it (while camping). And leave the tank empty when I put Coach into storage?

I usually flush my tanks real good, then add around 10 gallons of water to the Black Tank (through the tank flush connection). I store the Coach with 10 gallons in the tank. BTW - I live in hot climate so no chance of freezing.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by CountryB

I have a 40 gallon Black Tank. And my Coach came with some "Holding Tank Additive". But the instructions are unclear to me. It says to add 4oz with 1 gallon of water and then flush into tank.



So does that mean I'm only going to have 1 gallon of liquid in the tank when I put Coach in storage? Or is the intent that I put this stuff into the tank before using it, and while using it (while camping). And leave the tank empty when I put Coach into storage?



I usually flush my tanks real good, then add around 10 gallons of water to the Black Tank (through the tank flush connection). I store the Coach with 10 gallons in the tank. BTW - I live in hot climate so no chance of freezing.

4 oz is what you need for 40 gallons of poop. The gallon of water is to wash it down to tank. You could store it with how much water you prefer.

[Crasher]

FWIW, I have just as good results using nothing but 5 gallons of water after emptying the tank. We very rarely have any odor and the tank flushes clean.

[MSHappyCampers]

Mike, just get some Happy Camper tank treatment and solve all the problems! It really works!

[FIRE UP]

Well,
We've been camping/RVing/Glamping/remote or with hookups for oh, maybe 35+ years or so. In the beginning, eons ago, I used to purchase and insert, different kinds of black tank treatment when camping. In some cases, that treatment might only have been in the tank for less than 24 hours due to some given circumstances at the time, i.e. pack up and leave the next day after installing said treatment.

Over time, I started using less and less of any form of black tank treatment. I have always used a clear connection to the black tank in series so I could see when it was clear, when flushing the tank. For the most part, even when a treatment was in the tank for oh, maybe up to 3-4-5 days before emptying it, what I would see when I yanked that handle to empty that tank, was the fact that there were still SOLIDS flowing past that clear section.

So, for this "stuff" to break down solids, is, in my opinion, a bit of a stretch in a selling point. And, with all that being said, we have ceased to use any form of treatment for several years. Using it makes no difference, at least to us. Every RV'er needs to do what they feel is best in situations like this. If you feel using a tank treatment is of value, then by all means, keep on doing what you're doing.
Scott

[Persistent]

Good advice from Fire Up. No harm in using additives according to instructions.

I have taken to driving my TT with 5 gallons in my 26 gallon tank and dumping when I get to the campground. It helps to remove a lot of stuck on stuff. I can see it using my transparent hose connector when I dump.

[shootist]

Originally Posted by Persistent

Good advice from Fire Up. No harm in using additives according to instructions.

I have taken to driving my TT with 5 gallons in my 26 gallon tank and dumping when I get to the campground. It helps to remove a lot of stuck on stuff. I can see it using my transparent hose connector when I dump.

Add 2 lbs of borax and a 1/4 cup of dawn dish soap on that drive and your tank will be spotless.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by shootist

Add 2 lbs of borax and a 1/4 cup of dawn dish soap on that drive and your tank will be spotless.

As mentioned, to each his or her own. Me,, I'm not wasting my time trying to get the tank spotless. It's a urine and poop holding tank that gets dirty every time we use it. Water by itself should work fine if the RV is plumbed correctly.

On the OP's question, the directions mean to add the chemical at the start of toilet's usage. Adding it to the tank ahead of storage comes out the same if you leave the water in during the next series of toilet usage. I would not add it if your plan is to dump the storage water before using the toilet on the next trip.

Adding water for storage,, I've never done it but it seems most on here do. I would say though that 10 gallons is way more than needed.

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Well,
We've been camping/RVing/Glamping/remote or with hookups for oh, maybe 35+ years or so. In the beginning, eons ago, I used to purchase and insert, different kinds of black tank treatment when camping. In some cases, that treatment might only have been in the tank for less than 24 hours due to some given circumstances at the time, i.e. pack up and leave the next day after installing said treatment.

Over time, I started using less and less of any form of black tank treatment. I have always used a clear connection to the black tank in series so I could see when it was clear, when flushing the tank. For the most part, even when a treatment was in the tank for oh, maybe up to 3-4-5 days before emptying it, what I would see when I yanked that handle to empty that tank, was the fact that there were still SOLIDS flowing past that clear section.

So, for this "stuff" to break down solids, is, in my opinion, a bit of a stretch in a selling point. And, with all that being said, we have ceased to use any form of treatment for several years. Using it makes no difference, at least to us. Every RV'er needs to do what they feel is best in situations like this. If you feel using a tank treatment is of value, then by all means, keep on doing what you're doing.
Scott

[CountryB]

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

On the OP's question, the directions mean to add the chemical at the start of toilet's usage.

Thanks.
That is what I want to know -
I didn't buy this additive, it was with the Coach when I bought it (and I never used it). And since it is old (over 2-years now), I just threw it away. I'll stick to "a good tank flush/clean out and leaving some clean water in the tank" prior to putting her in storage.

[ArtJoyce]

We like to add more water. We use 5 gallons. If we are using the additives or not.

[Bigd9]

After I drain the black tank, I add liquid to the tank by drinking a lot more beer for a day or so.

[Ray,IN]

I use the cheapest tank additive I have ever found WATER; enough to keep all solids completely covered.
This may fail me some day, but it's worked for over 50 years to date.

[FIRE UP]

Originally Posted by Bigd9

After I drain the black tank, I add liquid to the tank by drinking a lot more beer for a day or so.

Now THAT, is a good remedy for this scenario!!!!!
Scott

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I use the cheapest tank additive I have ever found WATER; enough to keep all solids completely covered.
This may fail me some day, but it's worked for over 50 years to date.

Yep, that's us too, plain old water. When we use the toilet, not sure about the CEO but, when I'm done with #2, the toilet gets filled almost to the brim, before quickly flushing. The sudden downrush of the contents, prevents Mt Kilamanjaro from building up and causing problems and, by using a bit more water for those #2 flushes, causes everything to just flow out way more easily and fluidly when dumping.

When I dump or especially when I'm flushing the tank, if the jacks are already down, I'll let the left side down a bit and raise the right side of the coach just a few inches. That causes an Indianapolis speedway in my sewer hose as EVERYTHING is GONE in my black tank like, RIGHT NOW!
Scott