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Old 06-18-2010, 09:08 PM   #1
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Calgon

I have read several post recommending adding Calgon Water Conditioner to the black and grey holding tanks. I have been unable to locate the liquid Calgon locally and have purchased the powder. I plan to pre mix a 1/2 cup with water and add to the tanks. Has anyone else tried the powder?
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Old 06-18-2010, 09:23 PM   #2
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Calgon Liquid Water Conditioner would be found in the Beauty Aids Dept. of most discount stores, including Wally World.
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Old 06-18-2010, 09:39 PM   #3
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I have found mine at Kroger in the laundry section.
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Old 06-18-2010, 09:43 PM   #4
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Checked Laundry and cosmetics at Walmart and HEB. Only able to find the powder at HEB. Maybe the liquid is not sold in Texas?
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Old 06-18-2010, 09:48 PM   #5
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Also found in the Home Care dept. of WM
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Old 06-18-2010, 10:07 PM   #6
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I used the powder...2 cups dissolved in 3 gal hot water...hope it works...
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Old 06-19-2010, 06:34 AM   #7
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Just make sure

Its the conditioner and not the soap.

The conditioner is what coats the sides of the plastic and makes it "slippery" so stuff don't stick and slides right off. 3 gallons of water is perfect (10% of your tank capacity or more), but cold water and ice is the ticket.

The first time you use it I "highly recommend" two bags of ice cubes (or chips), a cup of laundry soap (liquid works here) and a 30 minute drive before you dump. The ice knocks the stuck on crud off the tank walls.

The water should run BLACK if you have a clear elbow on.
That is the "stuck on" composted stuff leaving your tank.
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Old 06-19-2010, 07:52 AM   #8
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It was hard to find, but I found the liquid Calgon on the bottom shelf at Wally World underneath and just left of the fabric softeners on the laundry detergent isle. To make it harder to find, they had only one bottle facing the shopper.

Also, I don't bother with the Calgon in the grey tank. I only add it to the black tank. The grey tank is already full of soapy water anyways.
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Old 06-19-2010, 12:43 PM   #9
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Agree with no Calgon in Gray

Bleach in the gray tank helps keep smell down.

Old soap is stinky over time.
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Old 06-19-2010, 09:55 PM   #10
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52 Dodgeman, I found the liquid calgon at both "krogers and Randalls" in Houston. I use 2 caps of calgon and 1 cup laundry detergent powder in both black and grey tanks. No problems and no smelly stuff. The wife says it has a pleasant smell. Happy camping !! Jeff Carey
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Old 06-19-2010, 10:14 PM   #11
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When I put the 3 Gal of water with dissolved Calgon in the tank, suddenly the entire yard smelled like...well, you know...just confirms that the previous owners did NOT maintain the blackwater holding tank...can't WAIT to dump...YECH
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Old 06-20-2010, 06:31 AM   #12
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Further on Gray tank Calgon

Was talking to a plumber friend (also a camper) and he said to use it in the Gray tank as well.

I asked why and he said "soap scum."

Soap scum is the leading cause of clogged pipes in your home because it is hard to flush out with low pressure water flow.

The Calgon apparently makes the walls and pipes slippery enough in our waste system to help keep everything working "smoothly."
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Old 06-20-2010, 02:47 PM   #13
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Thanks to all for the replies. We searched at another WM, a Home Depot and Target this morning. Nary a Calgon liquid or powder to be found. We are leaving for Inks Lake State Park in the AM so I will put off the search until next week. Jeff, thanks for the heads up on Randall's. There is a Randall's in Austin and next time we are in that area I'll check for Calgone Liquid.

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Old 06-20-2010, 06:13 PM   #14
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We have it at Winn Dixie and Publix here in Florida. But, we also have a hard water problem in our well water, that Calgon helps to fix. Randy
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Old 06-20-2010, 07:44 PM   #15
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In addition to Calgon (which is also very difficult to find up in Canada... probably does not sell well enough!) - the liquid I never did find, powder at WM - I also add a cup of Twenty Mule Team Borax in the black tank - has worked very well. Read it somewhere.

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Old 06-21-2010, 12:02 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post
Was talking to a plumber friend (also a camper) and he said to use it in the Gray tank as well.
Well well, I do learn something new everyday. Thank your plumber friend for the free advice!
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Old 06-21-2010, 11:51 AM   #17
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I think any water softener will do the job... Calgon just seems to be the most common used by RVers.
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Old 06-21-2010, 01:26 PM   #18
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We've been using Borax - can't find Calgon in Southern California.
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Old 06-21-2010, 01:26 PM   #19
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What other brand is there?
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Old 06-21-2010, 01:27 PM   #20
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Isn't Borax a soap; not a softener?
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