Blue Deodorizer

[Bob-0]

I am at a state park where the dump station has been closed for 2 years. Park officials were directing campers to use a nearby campgrounds to dump. That is no longer. The DNR has found out the blue deodorizer people use in the tanks is killing off the good bacteria and the drain fields are filling. They have found this is a problem in many of the state parks now. Big problems for the MI DNR Maybe the blue should be banned.

[nayther]

I've heard it IS banned in some locales. Have not run into it personally as I use that stuff too.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Haven't seen it banned where I'm from. Been using Blue Liquid since 2008.

[sgtlm17]

It is not blue liquid. I believe it is formaldehyde based black tank treatments. They used to be the norm 10 to 15 years ago. Nowadays I would say most black tank treatments are a non-formaldehyde or formaldehyde free based formula. It is actually hard to find a formaldehyde black tank treatment today. Many companies still color it blue but are formaldehyde free and designed to not harm septic systems.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by sgtlm17

It is not blue liquid. I believe it is formaldehyde based black tank treatments. They used to be the norm 10 to 15 years ago. Nowadays I would say most black tank treatments are a non-formaldehyde or formaldehyde free based formula. It is actually hard to find a formaldehyde black tank treatment today. Many companies still color it blue but are formaldehyde free and designed to not harm septic systems.

Actually very easy to find. The product pictured below, Thetford Aqua-Kem, is one of the main sellers. Most RV stores, Walmart, Amazon, etc. sell it.

Bad stuff...last year I spilled some on the floor next to the toilet. Had to get on my knees to reach it with a towel. Darn near passed out from effects of the fumes.

[sgtlm17]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

Actually very easy to find. The product pictured below, Thetford Aqua-Kem, is one of the main sellers. Most RV stores, Walmart, Amazon, etc. sell it.

Bad stuff...last year I spilled some on the floor next to the toilet. Had to get on my knees to reach it with a towel. Darn near passed out from effects of the fumes.

You are correct Thetford still makes Aqua-Chem. With today's options, I see no reason to use a formaldehyde-based chemical in the black tank.

[TitanMike]

My guess is that the leach fields are merely getting plugged from an overload of solids due to more people dumping in a system designed for just the number of campsites.

I camp in a Northern New Mexico RV Park that makes it clear they don't want you showing up with a full tank and unloading it in their system. The system is designed for only the "sewage" produced while camping there.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by sgtlm17

You are correct Thetford still makes Aqua-Chem. With today's options, I see no reason to use a formaldehyde-based chemical in the black tank.

Especially when the formaldehyde smells worse than the odor it's trying to prevent.

[doc73]

What blue liquid do you refer to? Blue Streak?

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by doc73

What blue liquid do you refer to? Blue Streak?

Not Blue Streak. It's enzyme based. No formaldehyde.

[Bob-0]

I have some under my bathroom sink. I no longer use it. Solid waste breaks down from good digesting bacteria in septic tanks and fields. You kill off the good bacteria and the fields fill up.

[Oaklevel]

Interesting info. I will have to see what we are using.

[myredracer]

I'll never understand why people use any chemicals in their black tanks. Just water works great. Add a few gallons before using the tank, don't skimp when flushing and rinse well when dumping.

You never want to kill bacteria in your tank, enzymes are never in your tank long enough to break down anything and the toilet valve is barely open long enough to smell much. RV places will gladly sell you whatever chemical you want and think you need to make a buck...