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Old 12-18-2015, 10:58 PM   #1
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Holding Tank chem's

We've been RVing for 35 plus years. When we started, everyone dumped that blue stuff with formaldehyde in their black water tank. As years went by, we began to see signs that some campgrounds and even some whole states didn't like the stuff or even made it illegal to use. Unfortunately, I must admit that I've never been challenged about using it and frankly continued to use it. Yes, I know formaldehyde is a terrible thing to do to the environment and I've decided to "go green". But what to use instead. There are several options but am not sure which is best or even just better. Any suggestions?
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Old 12-18-2015, 11:36 PM   #2
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The stuff I use is called Happy Camper. It's a powder that goes in after every tank dump. I also add a couple or three gallons of water to chase it with. Available at Amazon or elsewhere.
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Old 12-19-2015, 12:32 AM   #3
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RidEx has a good RV additive.
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Old 12-19-2015, 11:10 AM   #4
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The Rid-X RV formula might be a good try for most people... since I get 4 weeks use out of my black tank I use their Septic treatment... with great results..
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Old 12-19-2015, 11:18 AM   #5
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I rarely use RV chems, usually only in the spring after the fist trip or two. Normally I only use a 1/4 cup of Pinesol. If the sensors start to act up I add a cup of liquid fabric softer to 3-4 gallons of water, then pour it down both tanks after dumping. After a trip or two of that solution the sensors work good for a year or more.
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Old 12-19-2015, 11:34 AM   #6
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The Rid-X RV formula might be a good try for most people... since I get 4 weeks use out of my black tank I use their Septic treatment... with great results..
4 WEEKS! Boondocking, we get about 4 days out of our black, gray, and pair of 12 volt batteries (not using the furnace). Then we need a day or two with full hookups to dump and recharge the batteries.

Using our TT's built-in black tank rinser roughly once a week, we've haven't needed to use the Rid-x and Calgon we carry in the TT.
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Old 12-19-2015, 05:03 PM   #7
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After every dump plop plop
TST Blue Enzyme RV Septic System Drop-In Treatment Pouches - Qty 10 Camco Plumbing CAM41529
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Old 12-20-2015, 12:31 AM   #8
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I use "Happy Camper" also, it's all natural enzymes, no perfume smell or blue dye to stain your floor. I also mix some in a bucket of water and pour it into the sink traps so between camping trips they don't smell either.
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Old 12-20-2015, 10:26 AM   #9
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[QUOTE=oldmanAZ;362466]4 WEEKS! Boondocking, we get about 4 days out of our black, gray, and pair of 12 volt batteries (not using the furnace). Then we need a day or two with full hookups to dump and recharge the batteries.QUOTE]

Yep 4 weeks on the Black tank... about 5 days on the gray.. I pump out the gray into my "Blue Boy" and cart it off to a dump station.. rig only moves when I change locations... but remember I am a solo camper and just elected PRESIDENT of my local LoW's chapter..
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Old 12-23-2015, 02:02 PM   #10
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Careful with these. I had a box of them, and the humidity in the air got to the pouch material and they disintegrated leaving me a box of powder.

Now I use the concentrated liquid orange stuff from Camco. 4 oz per treatment, and I got like a half-gallon for $10; plenty to last me a LONG time.

I did the "sewer juice" thing for a while, and it worked well, but I got tired of mixing it up all the time. I also do a VERY thorough rinse at the end of each trip. So far, so good. Only had a stinky tank once. After a good rinse and repeat, it went away and all is well again. I have been known to throw some Calgon in the tank once in a while too...
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Old 12-23-2015, 02:14 PM   #11
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Some very interesting ideas.
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Old 12-23-2015, 03:24 PM   #12
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When we got the first trailer (2009) SWMBO bought a box of black tank packets.


2-4 boondocking trips per year over 6 years and that box is still sealed.


The only chemicals in any of my holding tanks is just enough chlorine to sanitize the fresh water system and keep the fresh water safe.
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Old 12-23-2015, 06:46 PM   #13
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When we got the first trailer (2009) SWMBO bought a box of black tank packets.


2-4 boondocking trips per year over 6 years and that box is still sealed.


The only chemicals in any of my holding tanks is just enough chlorine to sanitize the fresh water system and keep the fresh water safe.
So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
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Old 12-23-2015, 07:08 PM   #14
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So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
Glad I wasn't the only one!!

Dan
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Old 12-23-2015, 08:10 PM   #15
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The stuff I use is called Happy Camper. It's a powder that goes in after every tank dump. I also add a couple or three gallons of water to chase it with. Available at Amazon or elsewhere.
Happy Camper work's great
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Old 12-23-2015, 09:32 PM   #16
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So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
According to google: She Who Must Be Obeyed!
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Old 12-24-2015, 05:46 AM   #17
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According to google: She Who Must Be Obeyed!
should have known... I have one of those LOL!
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Old 12-24-2015, 06:55 AM   #18
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So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
She Who Must Be Obeyed; The woman in your life that is not your wife, but should be.

We're both divorced. Our kids from the previous marriages are grown. No plans to marry and together over 10 years.

"Significant Other" is a bit too awkward.

So to me, she's SWMBO and to her I'm MM (Magic Man).
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Old 12-24-2015, 10:57 AM   #19
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So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
I was thinking you was single till the post above
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Old 12-24-2015, 11:53 AM   #20
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GEO Method for me.

https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

Note, if you can't find Calgon powder in your store, do NOT use the White Rain variety on Amazon. It does NOT dissolve easily.
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