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Old 03-25-2012, 07:41 PM   #41
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Fabric softener works also if you have trouble finding Calgon.
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Old 03-25-2012, 08:07 PM   #42
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There is a thread here about why Calgon works and most others do not.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...lgon-7397.html
See post 71

1) It has to be the Calgon WATER SOFTENER. Calgon makes a powder version of the softener but it also contains a laundry soap. The soap is not what you want.

2) Do Not use 20 Mule Team Borax or Water Softener SALT; Bad for your tanks.

The chemicals in Calgon water softener is what is needed.

Calgon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.rbnainfo.com/MSDS/US/CALG...US-English.pdf

http://www.rbnainfo.com/MSDS/US/CALG...US-English.pdf
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Old 03-25-2012, 08:53 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoo Dad

Not sure what you never heard but I never dump unless the black tank is full. I also flush the commode with large quantities of water even after doing #1. After dumping the tank I use the built in flush system to flush and flush until the clear elbow flows clear. Hey, if you want to use the Geo method after every dump then by all means do it. I'm just saying I've been able to cut back and it works for me. If I find that I need to increase the frequency of treating then I will do that also.
So there are times you don't put anything in your tanks after dumping? We flush after dumping also, but I don't think I would ever go without a treatment of some kind. To each their own, I guess
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Old 03-26-2012, 06:17 AM   #44
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To each their own, I guess
Amen
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Old 03-26-2012, 06:29 AM   #45
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So there are times you don't put anything in your tanks after dumping? We flush after dumping also, but I don't think I would ever go without a treatment of some kind. To each their own, I guess
The tanks are designed as a holding tank only. They are not septic tanks. The treatment that most people use is for odor control and I have not had that problem yet. However, if you are treating using the Geo method after each use then you should never have a problem. Last year we camped about 70 days. I found the galley tank to need dumping around every 3 days. At this time I would normally also dump and flush the black tank. So far this year we have camped more than 60 days. and no problems yet. I used calgon when I first got my camper and since calgon is so slippery I believe that it doesn't get flushed completely out after each tank flushing.
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Old 03-26-2012, 07:38 AM   #46
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The whole point of treating the water with softeners is to neutralize the minerals, etc so that the soap will work better. So anything that coats the tank & probes so things don't stick to them is ok as long as it is not harmful to septic tanks. Using Calgon is fine, tho hard to find and expensive, cheap fabric softener & a cheap laundry soap will work just as good. We have used Dollar General's cheapest of both and after 4 yrs of use, our tanks & probes were free of debris and had no smell.

It would be nice if you could coat the entire holding tank insides with silicone and then just treat them for smell.

That's what makes the world such an interesting place, everyone thinks different.
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Old 03-27-2012, 11:24 AM   #47
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The only thing I have found that never lets me down, Pure Power liquid. Buddy of mine has been using it for the last year and the dealer assumed he rarely used his tank. He lives in the RV!

Pure Power Blue Waste Digester & Odor Eliminator - 32 oz.
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Old 03-30-2012, 10:27 AM   #48
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I once heard someone say "never do in yours what you can do in someone elses"... :-) ha! Use the public BR's and bath houses as much as possible.
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Old 08-15-2012, 08:47 AM   #49
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I was explaining the GEO method to another camper in our campground and the cg owner was nearby and asked politely if we wouldn't use bleach because it disrupts the bacteria in his cesspool that digests the solids. The rv toilet treatment that I prefer is no longer available and now I have been using an orange scented one that comes in premeasured packets at wally world. I do use the GEO method about once a month and it keeps my tank fresh. I have found calgon at Meijer's stores in Michigan.
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Old 08-15-2012, 08:54 AM   #50
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I do not use bleach in my tanks. I use a modified "GEO" and just use Calgon and Laundry soap (without fabric softener). 1 Laundry load of each in each holding tank.

NEVER use FABRIC softener instead of water softener.
Fabric softener has WAX in it that will ruin your tank probes.
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Old 08-15-2012, 10:05 AM   #51
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I've also heard that bleach will damage the seals in your tank. Not sure about that but it sounds reasonable.
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Old 08-18-2012, 07:46 PM   #52
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I've also heard that bleach will damage the seals in your tank. Not sure about that but it sounds reasonable.
1 cup to 40 gallon capacity tank? Don't believe that small amount of bleach will hurt anything other than intended bugs & other debris. Not at all sure tanks have seals, pumps & valves maybe, but tank seals?
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Old 09-23-2012, 06:55 PM   #53
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I read the entire article from the link provided on the first page of this thread about the geo method and it sounds great, but I have one question. The author states w/ a new RV the geo method will not be necassary for 6-12 dumps and the half gallon of bleach he only uses once in awhile. So if I use the orange/blue packs in between would they have any negative chemical reation to bleach? I know they won't to the water softner or detergent, but bleach sometimes has harmful reactions to other chemicals. Does anyone know or have they done it w/o adverse reaction? Thank you!
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Old 09-23-2012, 07:14 PM   #54
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Originally Posted by PBallie1602 View Post
The author states w/ a new RV the geo method will not be necassary for 6-12 dumps and the half gallon of bleach he only uses once in awhile.
1/2 gal is a bit much. I sometimes add about 1/2 cup bleach when my tank reads 2/3 full.

Quote:
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So if I use the orange/blue packs in between would they have any negative chemical reation to bleach? I know they won't to the water softner or detergent, but bleach sometimes has harmful reactions to other chemicals. Does anyone know or have they done it w/o adverse reaction? Thank you!
Somewhere on here I read, I think from Lou (aka Herk), that you should not use any other chemicals if your using the geo method. It wasn't a reaction with the bleach, but with the water softener.

We just got our present TT, new this June. I started right away with geo. When I dump, I add 1 load worth (about 2/3 cup) laundry detergent and 2/3 cup water softner to a 5 gal bucket, mix well and pour into toilette. Last dump before we head home, I add the same mix to the gray.
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Old 09-24-2012, 06:48 AM   #55
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We use Odorlos and have never had a smell problem. Great product. Since they started carrying it again, we just get ours at a nearby Camping Wolrd store. Bought online prior to that.
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Old 09-24-2012, 07:49 AM   #56
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OK yes the half gallon sounds like a lot! 1/2 to 1 cup sounds better. Not sure how bleach could be bad since that is what Forest River tells you to your to sanitize your FW tanks, but I'm a newbie who doesn't know much. Still if anyone has info on using the orange/blue packs then using geo methode is there any chemical reaction? Thanks!
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