Chemicals / Tank Treatments - Black & Grey Tanks

[Shutterbug57]

I am curious what y’all think are the best black and grey tank treatments. Interested in hearing what worked for you and what has not worked.

I just got my new Rhino stinky slinky and it came with a trial pack of 3 pods which we will use as a starter in the black tank. It got me thinking about what products to get full packages of. I appreciate yall’s input.

[keymastr]

Well, I use plain old water. Tank treatments are only useful if you have a problem with the vent system or your toilet no longer holds water to make a seal. In a properly working system there will be no odors.

Further, tank treatments often contain chemicals which will harm the bacterial cultures that make a septic system function so putting them in your tank and then dumping in a septic tank may cause damage to the septic system.

I always start my black tank with at least 25% of it's capacity in water immediately after dumping. This ensures that there is water covering the bottom of the tank, even if the tank bottom is sloped away from the toilet. You would not poop in a toilet that did not have water in it because it would stick to the bowl, the same thing happens in your tank if you do not use enough water. This is also the reason you should not leave your dump valve open.

If you use plenty of water you do not need any chemicals that cost lots of cash. Keep it wet and use the flusher, that's all that is needed.

[Wizard]

As above, just water. Start with a little water in the tank, dump when tank is almost full and run the rinse water for a few minutes. I close the dump valve whils rinse water in running and wait a few minutes before turning rinse off. If I'm spending more than 1 night without hookups I may pore one bottle of the blue stuff in just to stop odor.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Rarely if ever needed - plain water is fine. If you feel you must have a tank treatment, use an enzyme type.

[Ray,IN]

As posted on a different RVing forum,
We use DHMO or Hydric acid- MSDS HERE, HEED WARNINGS AND AVOID BREATHING VAPOR AND PROLONGED CONTACT IN SOLID FORM .
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet for Dihydrogen Monoxide


Chemical table of the elements: H2O

[MSHappyCampers]

We have been using Happy Camper tank treatment since 2000. It is totally organic and does a great job of dissolving the "stuff". We never have any odors or clogged tanks!

[Itchytoe]

Yet another vote for the liberal use of water. I've never needed anything else. I also use the TP that I like, not the cheap fall apart junk made specifically for RVs.

[twogypsies]

16 years of full-timing and just used water and you can't be stingy with it! We never had smells and no tank issues. Using a clear sewer connection everything was always dissolved. We used Scott tissue.

[Mark_K5LXP]

Lotsa water, along with a glug of Dawn and a shake of borax.

https://www.trbowlin.com/wp-content/.../Bio-Geo-2.pdf

Some might argue that the soap & softener are superfluous but I don't see what they can hurt.

Contrast that to other tank additives which I learned the "hard" way promotes the growth of struvite, which you definitely don't want.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/blac...ry-421757.html

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by keymastr

...Well, I use plain old water. Tank treatments are only useful if you have a problem with the vent system or your toilet no longer holds water to make a seal. In a properly working system there will be no odors...

If you are getting an odor from one of your tanks, there's something wrong with your system. Once in a while I dump a cap of Calgon in the tank, but that's all.

[Wrktfsh]

Just water. After dumping I’ll put approx 5 gals in with a couple capfuls of simple green. Drive home and dump that at home. I do have a 4” clean out at home by the parking spot

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by Shutterbug57

I am curious what y’all think are the best black and grey tank treatments. Interested in hearing what worked for you and what has not worked.

To me it depends where you camp. If you have little or no access to water, then forget about using water to flush your tanks.

Also, if your campground didn't have sewer connections, and you have to wait in line to dump your tanks, then you probably won't have time to do a good job flushing your tank.

Finally, I'm not necessarily a believer in the If-It-Stinks-Then-Your-Plumbing-Must-Need-Fixing. I've found sometimes it just stinks.

So in some conditions chemicals are the answer.

I use lots of water when I can, but when it stinks, I use some bleach.

[UFO Pilot]

I use Happy Camper but only when the RV is not being used for 2 or 3 weeks or more. When we are using the RV it is water only.

[UTTransplant]

We use just water almost all the time. We did find in temperatures above 90 degrees in the hot humid south that there was an odor when flushing. We added Happy Camper, but I couldn’t tell it made much difference. I just stay mostly in the lovely, dry west and don’t have a problem with just using water.