Liquid or drop ins??

[padcarroll]

I will use liquid from now on. I occasionally have to use a macerator pump at certain places we stay. I was using drop ins that are supposed to dissolve in water. The last time I used the pump I blew a fuse. This had never occurred before. I replaced the fuse and noticed the pump was real hot. I pulled the pump off and found it was clogged with plastic and there were undissolved packets left in the drain tee. I disassembled the pump and removed all the plastic wrapped around the impeller. I had one packet left so I dropped it in a bucket of water and the plastic did not dissolve in 3 days.
I will use liquid from now on.

[woodyrock1]

Originally Posted by padcarroll

I will use liquid from now on. I occasionally have to use a macerator pump at certain places we stay. I was using drop ins that are supposed to dissolve in water. The last time I used the pump I blew a fuse. This had never occurred before. I replaced the fuse and noticed the pump was real hot. I pulled the pump off and found it was clogged with plastic and there were undissolved packets left in the drain tee. I disassembled the pump and removed all the plastic wrapped around the impeller. I had one packet left so I dropped it in a bucket of water and the plastic did not dissolve in 3 days.

I will use liquid from now on.

Wow, I never heard of that happening before but I believe you. Thank you for that post, I will stay away from drop ins.

[salwolfe]

Same as Ford Idaho; the Blue Stuff as we call it. 16 yr experience and tried many different ones. 5 minutes later: I lied. Just checked and it is Thedford Aqua Kem I think it's called. Really good stuff and you can get a larger container of it and refill your little 4 oz. ones to save money if you're into saving money like I am.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by woodyrock1

Dalford, how do you like the Bluestreak system? I was looking into it as it looks interesting. What is making you thinking about going back?

I like the fact that it is automatic in that it puts in a small amount of chemical with each flush. It also has a small hint of a baby powder smell. I was concerned before I used it that the whole RV would have a baby powder smell but it doesn't, only in the bathroom.

I was using Odorlos and have used it for over 10 years but it just seemed like I was wasting a lot. I used the pouches and they would stick together in a humid environment (Florida). Also, would go for a short trip and would have to dump and add another whole pouch each time I flushed the tank. Plus it can be messy if you get the pouches you need to open.

I have had the system installed for a few months but am having a sewer smell in RV. I think my holding tank is bad and it is at the dealer right now for repair. Once that is done I can give a better review. I don't want to go back to pouches or measured liquids if I can.

[Dave Lyon]

Geo method and odorlos. Works for me.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by padcarroll

I will use liquid from now on. I occasionally have to use a macerator pump at certain places we stay. I was using drop ins that are supposed to dissolve in water. The last time I used the pump I blew a fuse. This had never occurred before. I replaced the fuse and noticed the pump was real hot. I pulled the pump off and found it was clogged with plastic and there were undissolved packets left in the drain tee. I disassembled the pump and removed all the plastic wrapped around the impeller. I had one packet left so I dropped it in a bucket of water and the plastic did not dissolve in 3 days.
I will use liquid from now on.

I know for a fact Odorlos make a dissolvable pouch and a non-dissolvable pouch that has to be opened with a pair of scissors. Make sure you had the dissolvable pouch but since you went to liquid only it is a non-issue for you but a warning to other campers.

[sgtlm17]

I've used the blue streak system for 15 years. Love it! Completely automatic and the bowl water is blue.

[Decon Blue]

I been a Full time RVer for almost 20 years now, tried them all and for the last few years I have just added Dawn dish washing liquid to my black tank. I buy the 9oz. bottles, add 1/2 bottle after each dump and the other 1/2 when tank is about 1/2 full. Cost is bout a dollar a bottle and yet to have smell or problems. FWIW I always fill my tank and dump it out each time I dump to aid in cleaning out any debris.

[Rollingdunder1]

Liquid.

[asquared]

We use the geo method. Works well.

[GOTTOYS]

I haven't used anything but lots of water for many years. Some of those treatments stink worse than anything. We start out with about 5 gals of water and dump then flush real well every 4-5 days. Haven't had a problem with odor in a very long time..Saves $$$ and it's better for the environment.

[raytwntrvlr]

I also use a macerator pump and had the plastic from the drop-ins get wrapped around the impeller/grinder and it was a quite a job getting it out.

[woodyrock1]

I know everyone has there own preferences but I think I'm going to stay away from the drop ins. I am interested in the Bluestreak System but honestly I hate the smell of baby powder. I didn't use it when my kids were babies and now that they're grown up and out I certainly don't want that smell(if is overwhelming) in my 5er'. Wish they would just make one product that works and X the rest. Lol.

[ProfChuck]

Like Gottoys, we use only water. Used to wonder why there was such a bad odor in the spring even though things were cleaned out in the fall. Found out it was the holding tank deodorizer causing the problem. Cleaned out with water and didn't put anything in the tank one fall and found in the spring there was no odor. That's when we tried not putting anything in at all. To our surprise it hasn't had an odor since. The only time you get any smell is when you flush with the overhead vent fan on, which, of course, will suck up any fumes from the toilet. With the fan off, no problem. We also use the Scott 1000 sheet tissue which is a lot cheaper and after 5 years hasn't caused a clog. The sheets dissolve and don't turn into paper mache' like some of the "made for your holding tank" papers do. If anything doesn't dissolve it just slides right out. Holding tank is clean and odor free. Haven't had any problem with the valves, either. They open and close very easily.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by woodyrock1

I know everyone has there own preferences but I think I'm going to stay away from the drop ins. I am interested in the Bluestreak System but honestly I hate the smell of baby powder. I didn't use it when my kids were babies and now that they're grown up and out I certainly don't want that smell(if is overwhelming) in my 5er'. Wish they would just make one product that works and X the rest. Lol.

I had the same concern. I was worried my whole RV would smell like a clean baby's behind but it does not. I can hardly smell it in the bathroom. My wife has a super sensitive nose and also says it is a very light smell... FWIW

[elchilero53]

Thetford Aquachem liquid for the last 45 years. Always works. Always has. Even when they eliminated the formaldehyde from the formula.

[SEAYALL]

Originally Posted by Telstar

Dometic premium drop in is the best I have found. Cleans your toilet and dissolves everything in the tank.

TankTechs RX – 8oz | TankTechsRX

[dalford]

Everyone obviously has their preferred brand or method. I just wonder if they all work and we settle on the first we try or a packaging method we like.

Question, has anyone tried a product (not talking about 5 years ago but a current product) that was a dismal failure? What would you not recommend?

[Teamfour]

We use the Blue Streak system and an occasional shot of Rid-X for RVs.

[sewingcybermom]

I used this when we first got our camper because unknown to us...the previous owners left the tank full of poo over the winter!!! EEEWWWWW!! It worked like a charm, cleaned the sensors and no odor or left overs.


since that happy escapade and knowing how well the extreme version worked, we started using this version of Happy Camper and our sensors work beautifully and are very happy with how it cleans. No smells, EVER.