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Old 02-09-2018, 08:55 PM   #1
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Does Anything Really Break Down Solids?

Most of us are pretty good at emptying our tanks, but occasionally some solids either remain in the tank or get stuck in inappropriate places.

My questions is, do any of the additives that we use actually do anything to break up the poop? I would think it would take months of bacteria activity (think septic tank) to actually do anything. If there's something out there, I'd like to know about it.

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Old 02-09-2018, 10:14 PM   #2
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I think I agree that nothing is breaking down solids in a hurry. We don’t place solids/poop in our camper toilet.
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Old 02-09-2018, 10:32 PM   #3
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The best advice I ever got was to make sure there was sufficient water in that tank before any solids are added, and then after you dump and do whatever flushing out you can, add some more fresh water for the drive to the next camp spot, as the sloshing around on the road will break things down "mechanically" so to speak.
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Old 02-09-2018, 11:39 PM   #4
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To answer the op’s question directly, there are 2 products that I’m aware of that seem to actually break down the solids. RV Digest It and Tank Tech Rx. I have used RV Digest It in the past, and it does work, but I started using more water and the GEO method and haven’t had any problems.


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Old 02-10-2018, 02:47 AM   #5
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To answer the op’s question directly, there are 2 products that I’m aware of that seem to actually break down the solids. RV Digest It and Tank Tech Rx. I have used RV Digest It in the past, and it does work, but I started using more water and the GEO method and haven’t had any problems.


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The description on Amazon for RV Digest It claims you can use household toilet paper vs the thin RV TP. Has anyone tried using regular TP ?
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Old 02-10-2018, 07:14 AM   #6
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The description on Amazon for RV Digest It claims you can use household toilet paper vs the thin RV TP. Has anyone tried using regular TP ?


Yes, that’s true. We use charmin just like at home


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Old 02-10-2018, 07:55 AM   #7
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Does the RV Digest-It have a scent to it? Although we continue to use them, I'm not a fan of the smell of the blue tank packets that smell like an outhouse.
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:01 AM   #8
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We use Angel Soft at home and on the road. Its septic safe and any paper that is septic safe will work just fine. If I could not use the rv toilet for #2, it would be useless. Take advantage of the convenience it provides.

Add plenty of water and don't empty it until its almost full.

Enjoy life and don't obsess about the small stuff.
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:43 AM   #9
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The black tank is for temporary storage of c%*p until it can be flushed at the dump station. Nothing short of acid will break down solids during its brief stay in the black tank. At best all you are doing by adding treatment is to help with the smell. Keep some water in the black tank to help minimize a pile up. I have developed a habit of not hitting the CG dump station when we hit the road and stop at a rest area along the interstate and use their dump station. Driving 25 or 50 miles can be helpful in sloshing around the contacts making for a more fluid dump out.
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:50 AM   #10
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Dump station app

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The black tank is for temporary storage of c%*p until it can be flushed at the dump station. Nothing short of acid will break down solids during its brief stay in the black tank. At best all you are doing by adding treatment is to help with the smell. Keep some water in the black tank to help minimize a pile up. I have developed a habit of not hitting the CG dump station when we hit the road and stop at a rest area along the interstate and use their dump station. Driving 25 or 50 miles can be helpful in sloshing around the contacts making for a more fluid dump out.
Does any one know of an app that can be used to find the nearest dump station?
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Old 02-10-2018, 08:54 AM   #11
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If we didn't use our toilet for #2, my wife probably would go camping, LOL.

The whole reason we bought the trailer we have is so that we don't have to use the campground comfort stations.

We use lots of water and the black tank flush system and a clear elbow when dumping and the tank drains clear when I'm done. And no, I don't spend 20 minutes at the dump station making people wait, that's a huge pet peeve of mine.

We also just use normal household toilet paper and we don't add any additives to the tank. It would take weeks for the enzymes to start breaking down the material in the tank.


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Old 02-10-2018, 08:58 AM   #12
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Does any one know of an app that can be used to find the nearest dump station?
The is a website https://www.sanidumps.com/

It gives you locations and cost to use.

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Old 02-10-2018, 09:09 AM   #13
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Does the RV Digest-It have a scent to it? Although we continue to use them, I'm not a fan of the smell of the blue tank packets that smell like an outhouse.


There is no real scent or smell.


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Old 02-10-2018, 09:16 AM   #14
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There is no real scent or smell.


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Thanks. I'll have to give it a try. Even if it does nothing else but eliminate that outhouse smell, it would be great.
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Old 02-10-2018, 09:50 AM   #15
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Since we work Kamp we are typically at a site for 4 to 6 months. We use standard Costco TP, dump about once a week and it's amazing how little "solid" waste is discharged. Most of the paper is more a part solid part liquid product, human waste for the most part is broken down into liquid or very small particles. As others, we dump the black tank, then the grey (which we close about 2 days before dumping) and follow up with the black tank flush. We don't use many chemicals, only if the weather is very hot, where the tank does start smelling. We also will dump more often when the weather is hot, using the black tank flush makes waiting till the tank is full moot.

Water is the key, during the filling of the tank but especially when dumping. It's amazing how much "gunk" you will get out of an empty tank after 5 or 6 minutes. If you dump using your black tank flush properly your sensors will be much more accurate and you won't have odor issues.

Happy Camping.
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Old 02-10-2018, 02:31 PM   #16
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Does any one know of an app that can be used to find the nearest dump station?
Check the state sites in the states you will camp in or drive into when leaving the CG. Miss, Alabama, Texas and I think Louisiana all have dump stations at their rest areas. We use the all the time and have never had even a single person in front of us.
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Old 02-10-2018, 02:42 PM   #17
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I agree with Grumpydad. I use Happy Camper dissolved in about 3 gallons of water. I add it to the holding tank before we leave for camping. This sloshes around as you are driving and gets rid of the residual tank smell. While we are camping, it helps in breaking down solids quickly so that the tank drains better when you empty it.
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Old 02-10-2018, 05:44 PM   #18
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We use household toilet paper and I am a firm believer in that time and nature with the help of the movement of the RV. How often do you see solids coming from the black tank when dumping?
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Old 02-10-2018, 07:02 PM   #19
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Depends on who was in there last and how long ago.

That's all I'm gonna say about that!
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Old 02-10-2018, 10:55 PM   #20
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Water, water...lots of water!!

We use Scott Rapid Resolving toilet paper. If one does a paper test in water you'll see what's best!!
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