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12-18-2015, 10:58 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Kingman
Posts: 166
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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?
__________________
2014 Greyhawk 31FS/2013 Chevy Captiva Sport
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12-18-2015, 11:36 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 2,064
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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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Don
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12-19-2015, 12:32 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Surprise
Posts: 2,623
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RidEx has a good RV additive.
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2011 Toyota Tundra double cab
2015 27RLS
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12-19-2015, 11:10 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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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..
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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12-19-2015, 11:18 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,740
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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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12-19-2015, 11:34 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
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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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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Sherm & Terry w/rescue Eydie (min Schnauzer) & Charley (std Poodle)
SOLD:2015 Jay Flight 27RLS, GY Endurance (E), Days: 102 '15, 90 '16, 80 '17, 161 '18, 365+ '20
SOLD: 2006 Ford F350 PSD, 4WD, CC, LB, SRW, Camper pkg., 375,000mi
Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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12-19-2015, 05:03 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elephant Butte, NM
Posts: 1,219
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__________________
2015 F350 SRW 6.7 LB 4X4 Crew
2017 Durango G353KRT
2006 F350SD 6.0 LB Crew
2000 F250SD SRW 7.3 LB Extended Cab Air Bags
2002 Western Star 4900EX 500 Detroit 13sp.
2014 Eagle 30.5BHLT (sold)
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12-20-2015, 12:31 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Graham
Posts: 10
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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.
__________________
1997 Jayco 295SB
Go back to tent camping? Don't even think about it.
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12-20-2015, 10:26 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,714
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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..
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days boondockinig in2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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12-23-2015, 02:02 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Edd505
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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...
__________________
-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
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12-23-2015, 02:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,430
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Some very interesting ideas.
__________________
Chuck
2013 Jayco Jayfeather X20 E (sold)
2016 Chevy Silverado LTZ 2 Z71 Crew Cab (sold, and dearly missed)
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12-23-2015, 03:24 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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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.
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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12-23-2015, 06:46 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Crofton, MD
Posts: 286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike837go
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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So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
__________________
2019 Open Range 374BHS
2107 Chevrolet 3500HD dually
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12-23-2015, 07:08 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 3,493
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gone campin
So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
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Glad I wasn't the only one!!
Dan
__________________
Dan
'24 GMC 2500 AT4X AEV Edition
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12-23-2015, 08:10 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: West palm beach
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hoppers4
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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Happy Camper work's great
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12-23-2015, 09:32 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Hamilton/Cincinnati
Posts: 264
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gone campin
So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
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According to google: She Who Must Be Obeyed!
__________________
2014 Jayflight Swift 264BH
2015 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 SCrew 3.5 EcoBoost Max Tow
Equalizer 10K
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12-24-2015, 05:46 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Crofton, MD
Posts: 286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klpoppe
According to google: She Who Must Be Obeyed!
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should have known... I have one of those LOL!
__________________
2019 Open Range 374BHS
2107 Chevrolet 3500HD dually
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12-24-2015, 06:55 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gone campin
So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
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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).
__________________
TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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12-24-2015, 10:57 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Elephant Butte, NM
Posts: 1,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gone campin
So, I just gotta know... what is SWMBO??
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I was thinking you was single till the post above
__________________
2015 F350 SRW 6.7 LB 4X4 Crew
2017 Durango G353KRT
2006 F350SD 6.0 LB Crew
2000 F250SD SRW 7.3 LB Extended Cab Air Bags
2002 Western Star 4900EX 500 Detroit 13sp.
2014 Eagle 30.5BHLT (sold)
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12-24-2015, 11:53 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: --
Posts: 2,392
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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.
__________________
2023 Ford F-150 XLT SCREW 3.5EB (Max Tow Pkg., Black Appearance Pkg., Bed Utility Pkg.)
1727 Payload / 4150 RAWR
On the sidelines taking it all in.
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