Fact or Fiction?

[DXSMac]

I have heard of this, but only for black tank. You put ice cubes down the toilet, then add some borax, about 1/2 cup. Then flush some water. And, driving like a bat out of hell is HELFPUL (though I wouldn't suggest doing it for safety of the REST of us on the road....). You are SUPPOSED to slosh it around. That's why you need some water. Like others, I have yet to figure out how to get ice down the gray tank.

[clancythecamper]

I always find these conversations curious. We've had campers for 15 years and its never been an issue. Plenty of water when flushing; and adding 1-2 toilet pkts and 2 gal of water after dumping has worked fine for us. We've never not dumped because we didn't have enough waste ~ I use the 2 pkts during the hottest months.

Happy flushing~~~~

[Warrior]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Impossible in the gray tank unless you broke the drain's cross members that hold the stopper in and used VERY small ice cubes or crushed ice. That would also make using the cubes to bang against the sides impossible as well. Won't work at all.

As to black tank, the ice will work to "scrub" the walls of the tank (until they melt of course) so you have to dump it down the toilet immediately before you pull out on your trip.

I have NEVER done this as I use the OEM turbo flush every time I can.

In addition, I installed the Horst probes and the ice may damage them.

The "button" probes are the OEM style and even with vigorous turboflushing you can see how crud will short out the probe to the wall and turn on lights even if the tank is empty. The newer style (White Teflon covered wire) works GREAT.

I also use the OEM Torbo Flush when ever I can. When there are not others two and three deep behind me at the dump station.
I've wonder if I should be using my regulator when flushing? I wonder what pressure the system is rated for. Adding another step would increase my time at the dump station.

[BigJohnD]

Once you do the geo method, there is no need to ever have to "clean" the tank with the ice cubes, as nothing ever sticks inside the tank. I never had a problem with the blue chemical or packs, but I know with the detergent and water softener work better, at least in my tests. With the blue chemical, it took about 3 tank flushes (fill for 5 minutes and dump) to get crystal clear water flowing. With the geo method, initial dump, fill for 5 minutes and it comes out clear, cause nothing stuck. To each his own, but if you haven't tried it, you'll be surprised with this simple home remedy.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by clancythecamper

I always find these conversations curious. We've had campers for 15 years and its never been an issue. Plenty of water when flushing; and adding 1-2 toilet pkts and 2 gal of water after dumping has worked fine for us. We've never not dumped because we didn't have enough waste ~ I use the 2 pkts during the hottest months.

Happy flushing~~~~

X2. I do it the same way as clancythecamper.

[Frankm2]

As I understand it, the geo method is for cleaning the tank. I would still use the good bacteria packet to get the black water tank started good on the next use.

[BigJohnD]

Geo method is not just for cleaning, it takes the place of the chemical. You can add bleach as well if you want to kill anything. The guy that come up with the mixture mentions adding the bleach. Here's the link to the whole article if interested. BTW, you can tell everything still breaks down nicely by watching the clear fitting at the dump valve while dumping.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

[Batts-toy]

BigJohnD. John I read the article and was wondering if I still need the Calgon water softener since I fill my fresh water tank with Soft Water from my water softener at home before camping?

[BigJohnD]

No need to add any to the fresh water tank really. Our city water is plenty soft enough. We just use the geo method on the black tank for the most part. Now, on occasion I will put a tad of bleach in the fresh water tank just to make sure nothing is living in there.

[Pawpod]

Oh great! Poozilla! Something else to worry about.

[BigJohnD]

Had a run in with poozilla my first year of rving. Funny after the fact.

[Batts-toy]

You missed my point and that is I have a water softener at home base so I am carrying soft water with me in the fresh tank so as it is used and moves to the other tanks it is already soft water so why add additional softener to the tanks. Detergent and/or bleach in the black tank should be all that is needed.

[BigJohnD]

Ah, I gotcha. Sorry about that. If it were me, I'd still add additional softener to the black tank. The mixture we put in the tank is beyond what you'd shower with for sure. I made the mistake of stirring the mixture with my hand the first time. Like having thin vaseline on your hands. Thought at that point, no wonder nothing sticks to the tank. use an old spoon now. Can't put too much in other words.

[Batts-toy]

Good point, need the higher concentration.

Thanks

[SCOC]

To work, you need the tank to be nearly full so the ice cubes will slosh around and "scrub" the sensors clean. BUT the ice cubes melt too quickly in all that water, and you need more ice than is practical to make it work.

Use walnut shells instead. They float around and don't melt.



Seriously, I started using the GEO method this year too (water softener + laundry detergent)

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SCOC

To work, you need the tank to be nearly full so the ice cubes will slosh around and "scrub" the sensors clean. BUT the ice cubes melt too quickly in all that water, and you need more ice than is practical to make it work.

Use walnut shells instead. They float around and don't melt.



Seriously, I started using the GEO method this year too (water softener + laundry detergent)

5 gal of water and 10#-15# ice is what works. Don't need or want a full tank. Driving around an empty parking lot and swerving back and forth will work.

[Thurman]

I can say that I have used this method to clean the inside of the black tank, I cannot say that it improved my sensors any. Mine read full whether full or empty. I have access to an ice machine so after a couple of camping trips I just pull the TT to work, heave-ho about four five-gallon buckets of ice in through the toilet, then drive around our parking lot with sudden stops. I hook up to my home-made macerator pump when I get home with one clear fitting and let 'er loose into my septic system. YES, I do get stuff coming out of the tank after I have (or so I thought) completely drained my black-water tank and flushed it well at home. The ice does work to knock "stuff" off of the tank walls and probably the floor of the tank.