Black tank treatment

[chunker]

We have a 5th wheel that stays more or less setup on a FL bayou property. Trailer has 2 grey and 2 black tanks with individual drain valves into one outlet. Main black tank has a flush and the back one which services bunk house sink and toilet doesn't. Our normal procedure is keep the blacks Coles, grey open and occasionally close them to get good flushing. I inadvertently left the main black tank open and has been for a couple weeks. Tank level was showing getting fuel and when I went to drain, unfortunately found it open. I have hooked up the flush gotten some solids (have clear section of drain) but not near what I think should have come out. Flushing, closing and let fill some and drain isn't getting "stuff" out.

Next week I'm getting to take it home to south AL while we are gone on a 2 month trip in the motorhome. I plan to try to treat the black tanks to get the stuff out. In the past have tried dish washer detergent (Cascade etc.) and Calgon softener with some results. RV type waste tank treatments I think tend to be more smell oriented rather than eat up the stuff. I was wondering if anyone has tried products designed for septic tanks like Rid-X or equivalent. If so I plan to fill about 2/3 full, add the remedy and let it sit for a couple months while we are gone. I have as full hookup RV pole barn so I can easily check my results.

For the rear black tank we have asked everyone to only use for "liquids" and use the main for more serious visits to the potty if possible. But I can treat it also and I'm sure it will help.

[cavie]

Originally Posted by drwwicks

We have a 5th wheel that stays more or less setup on a FL bayou property. Trailer has 2 grey and 2 black tanks with individual drain valves into one outlet. Main black tank has a flush and the back one which services bunk house sink and toilet doesn't. Our normal procedure is keep the blacks Coles, grey open and occasionally close them to get good flushing. I inadvertently left the main black tank open and has been for a couple weeks. Tank level was showing getting fuel and when I went to drain, unfortunately found it open. I have hooked up the flush gotten some solids (have clear section of drain) but not near what I think should have come out. Flushing, closing and let fill some and drain isn't getting "stuff" out.

Next week I'm getting to take it home to south AL while we are gone on a 2 month trip in the motorhome. I plan to try to treat the black tanks to get the stuff out. In the past have tried dish washer detergent (Cascade etc.) and Calgon softener with some results. RV type waste tank treatments I think tend to be more smell oriented rather than eat up the stuff. I was wondering if anyone has tried products designed for septic tanks like Rid-X or equivalent. If so I plan to fill about 2/3 full, add the remedy and let it sit for a couple months while we are gone. I have as full hookup RV pole barn so I can easily check my results.

For the rear black tank we have asked everyone to only use for "liquids" and use the main for more serious visits to the potty if possible. But I can treat it also and I'm sure it will help.

I've been using Camco TST drop in's (walmart) for 3 years no problem.

[georgelesley]

We used to put a small amount of Ridex in ours when we fulltimed. I think they may have a RV specific version now. I would suggest that plus lots of water and let it sit a few days to work then several flushes.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by georgelesley

We used to put a small amount of Ridex in ours when we fulltimed. I think they may have a RV specific version now. I would suggest that plus lots of water and let it sit a few days to work then several flushes.

Our usage is a few days at a time then leave for a few. Today well be heading home and back next weekend to it take back to AL for the hurricane season while we travel up north. I'll look for some rid-x today to let it "cook" till we get back and do the multiple flushes. I'll also give it a treatment with a full tank while we are gone the 2 months. Hopefully that should break it down.

[MSHappyCampers]

I would use the Happy Camper Extreme to clean the tank!

[chunker]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

I would use the Happy Camper Extreme to clean the tank!

I'll investigate that this week. Got the rid-x and it's doing it's thing. I will mostly fill the tank while we are gone.

[NYBobbo]

"Happy Camper" works well...

[Old-Biscuit]

Unique RV Digest It
https://uniquemm.com/products/rv-dig...tank-treatment

[chunker]

After discovering my error of leaving the black tank open I did a few flushes with some results. I got some Rid-x, added a bunch and let it sit a week while we were gone. Went back to the bayou property to get it and drained and flushed the tank some more and got more "stuff". Took it home to AL and filled the black tank nearly full, added a good dose of more Rid-X and it sat for 2 months. After returning from the trip in the motorhome I drained the trailer tanks again and got some more stuff. 2 more fill and drains and it appears pretty clean.

Were getting ready to take back down to the bayou, NW FL but Michael looks like a direct hit as a Cat 3. We'll wait a week. Hope the dock and boat house survives.

[ksg5000]

I have used Rid X - doesn't work fast but if you let it sit for a couple of weeks in warm weather it will clean a typical black water tank.

[georgelesley]

Another thought just came to mind: I would suggest putting some tank seal liquid lubricant in your tank after all this is done to hopefully help keep the slide valve seals pliable, especially if you use Dawn or some other cleaner. Find it in the bathroom section of most RV stores.

[cdinatl]

Calgon works great and also lubes the valves

[HarveyP]

I will also endorse the product from Unique mentioned in post 8