Black Tank Treatment. What works for you?

[sparky60]

New RV'ers here and wondering what the best Black Water Tank Treatment might be. There are many choices out there; Chemicals, Enzymes TankTechs RX Probiotics. I'd like to hear from the "seasoned" RV'ers here that have the experience with the different brands and kinds of Tank Treatments and what's worked well for you.
Thanks, everyone!

[Evereddie]

Only one for most people here is what is called the Geo Method. It is a mix of laundry detergent, water softener, and sometimes bleach. The water softener makes the sides of the tank slippery and it cleans out better. Search this forum for it.

A misconception of RV black tanks is that they are like a septic tank. Wrong, they are a holding tank. You aim to keep the orders down, have it clean out better, and keep the water level sensors clean.

[GOTTOYS]

It's a holding tank, not a septic tank. You fill it up then you dump it. I used chemicals when I first started out camping. Never found any value in them and hated the sweet smell. Now I just use water, lots of it. I dump when I need to and then flush the tank and start over. I use lots of water with every use of the toilet and only use our regular toilet paper from our house....Never had a single problem in over 30 years...

[donanddona]

NuGen is what we use. This is added after the Geo-Method.

[derek6669]

Sparky60, here is the link to the GEO Method. https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

[conceptumator]

We just add a lid full of liquid Calgon water softener along with the normal chemicals when we prep the tank after dumping it. Like they said, it makes the sides of the tank slick and seems to work very well. Inexpensive, too.

[uphillracer]

I use aqua-kem for each load. I do allow it to fill (6-7 days). After emptying I use the "shake and bake" internal water sprayer/cleaner. I run it for 4 minutes with the dump valve closed, empty and repeat. When going home I place a dose of the aqua-kem in it with a little water and that's how it sits till next trip. NEVER an odor. I did like the idea of a surfactant and might try that.

[Oakman]

I’m a firm believer in chemicals so I’m not a Geo Method kind of guy. I used to use TST black tank treatment but recently changed to Porta-Pak by Walex. The Porta-Paks really seem to break down toilet paper and the other solid waste rather faster and better. I’ve been doing this since 2003 without a single black tank issue.

BTW, I use the clear plastic elbow when dumping so I have a darn good idea of what's coming out.

[stonz41]

When we started RV'ing I was advised to do the following:
Before leaving home, add 4 gals of water with two capfulls of Calgon water softener to the black tank. As in a previous reply the idea is to coat the tank with a slippery surface. While at campground I dump the tank when it got to 3/4 full. In 15 years of camping we never had an odor problem and of course always flushed the tank until the water was clear before leaving for home.

[B and B]

I use chemicals when it smells, other wise Fabric Softner and water. Sometime Dawn dish soap. I can not use the black flush rinse at 90% of the parks I travel too so I rely on a few gallons or water and the open road. Standard TP, no special stuff.

[SkipnTerri]

We use Campa Chem liquid and have for many years with no problem. That and one-ply toilet tissue.

[Loneeagle]

This is way off base for this discussion but how do you ask a question/start a new thread?

[Handydc]

Originally Posted by GOTTOYS

It's a holding tank, not a septic tank. You fill it up then you dump it. I used chemicals when I first started out camping. Never found any value in them and hated the sweet smell. Now I just use water, lots of it. I dump when I need to and then flush the tank and start over. I use lots of water with every use of the toilet and only use our regular toilet paper from our house....Never had a single problem in over 30 years...

Never have used chemicals in the black tank and never a problem. I always am sure to leave water in the tank and I flush until the water is clear. Simple.

[OldCoot]

Installed a Blue Streak and now use SuperClean(1cup) 1 cap of Pinesol and the rest water. Works great. Keeps everything in solution and drains fast. We do not put paper in the commode.

[Rick_Geneseo]

I use the Aqua-Chem formaldehyde free. Many of the smaller campgrounds with septic systems cannot tolerate a formaldehyde chemical.

[lacamastraveler]

Major thing here, is if you do use chemicals please do not use anything with formaldehyde.

[Life Without Whine]

We travel long weekends only & usually only a dump station instead of full hookup so judicious use of the toilet, clear elbow to dump, when we have full hook up will rinse the blackwater tank & have tried just about every chemical out there for odor (we also added a different vent cap to the tank after a very windy camping stay blew a ton of odor back into the TT). Best chemical so far : Camco TST RV toilet treatment citrus scent liquid

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Loneeagle

This is way off base for this discussion but how do you ask a question/start a new thread?

Go to the forum main page at Forest River Forums - Forest River Owners Community , click on the applicable sub-forum, click on the "New Thread" button at the top of the topic list.

[Fufys]

Happy camper works very well for us. Biogradeable and no harsh chemicals. google to find out more

[GOTTOYS]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Installed a Blue Streak and now use SuperClean(1cup) 1 cap of Pinesol and the rest water. Works great. Keeps everything in solution and drains fast. We do not put paper in the commode.

It IS a toilet...I would never consider not putting our used toilet paper in the toilet where it belongs...GROSS!