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11-16-2007, 09:26 AM
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#1
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AKA Bluebird
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 1,060
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Tank Maintenance
There has been a lot of discussion of late on the various RV forums to which I belong on the process of keeping your holding tanks clean. While flushing is certainly a practice I employ regularly, it is not the only method I use for maintaining my tanks. Notice that I said tanks. Too often people disregard their gray water tanks, which accumulate food scraps, etc.
To make a long story short, do a web search on “enzyme septic treatment”. From there you should be able to figure out what I am talking about. This is a procedure much favored by fulltime folks back in the day. Several times a year I will flush my tanks, add, enzymes, refill the tanks, , and let them sit until the next time I use my RV. Coincidence or not, I have never had a problem with my tanks. Note that this procedure can only help the campground septic system.
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Happy Camping! ///// Richard D.
2006 4x4 Ford 250 SD / 2007 Flagstaff 827 FLS
One very patient wife and one furry child who travels with us. Forty-two years of trailering and camping, and I still have a blast.
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11-16-2007, 01:29 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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Very interesting...what specific product do you use and where is it available?
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11-16-2007, 09:30 PM
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#3
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AKA Bluebird
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 1,060
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For the last few years I have used Rid-X. I believe I bought it at Ace Hardware. Don't be put off by the price, one "treatment" is good for a 1500 gallon tank. Though there are many similar products out there, you can check out this product at http://www.rid-x.com/. Hope this helps.
__________________
Happy Camping! ///// Richard D.
2006 4x4 Ford 250 SD / 2007 Flagstaff 827 FLS
One very patient wife and one furry child who travels with us. Forty-two years of trailering and camping, and I still have a blast.
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11-17-2007, 07:25 AM
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#4
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Commercial Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 435
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I can't believe that using Rid-X in an RV tank will do anything.
It takes time for the actives in it to go grow and do any good in a septic system, so the short time it is in a holding tank wouldn't cut it.
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Steve and Vicki
2 kids
2011 Dodge 3500 CTD Outdoorsman
(Tweaked!!)
2013 Columbus 320RS-ITS HERE!!
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11-17-2007, 03:26 PM
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#5
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The Jolly Mon
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ND...HELP!
Posts: 1,691
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Tanks?? Who needs tanks? 
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Pete (Jolly Mon)
2018 Wildwood Grand Lodge 42 DLTS
-Seasonal Space, Northern MN.
-2017 Sylvan 8522 LZ LES/115 Merc/Sea Legs
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11-18-2007, 07:39 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2008Wildcat
I can't believe that using Rid-X in an RV tank will do anything.
It takes time for the actives in it to go grow and do any good in a septic system, so the short time it is in a holding tank wouldn't cut it.
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I've emailed Rid-X requesting information for its use in RV holding tanks. I'll post their response.
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11-18-2007, 12:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quispamsis NB Canada
Posts: 1,026
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NDJollyMon
Tanks?? Who needs tanks? |
You dont have tanks Jolly?
__________________
- Salem 401-2b; 31" Sony Trinitron and two channels on the antenna.
- Smokin' hot wife... 2 boys, 25 and 10.
83 sweet sweet days camped in 2008 - not easy in my neck of the woods!
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11-18-2007, 02:33 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lexington NC
Posts: 94
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I decided to try the GEO method but I haven't been able to find Calgon or a substitute anywhere around here. My wife had a box of "20 Mule Team Borax" in the laundry room and told me to try it. It is a water conditioner but whether it works or not, only time will tell. I dumped a 4 lb. box down the toilet and filled the black tank with water. We'll see.
__________________
My driver's license says my name is "Jeff"
2000 Chevy 2500 4/4 6.0/3.73
2002 FR Sandpiper 30FKSS
Reese Strait-Line
Prodigy
DW
DD (Darling Dachshund)
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11-18-2007, 03:06 PM
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#9
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AKA Bluebird
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 1,060
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmyers
I decided to try the GEO method but I haven't been able to find Calgon or a substitute anywhere around here. My wife had a box of "20 Mule Team Borax" in the laundry room and told me to try it. It is a water conditioner but whether it works or not, only time will tell. I dumped a 4 lb. box down the toilet and filled the black tank with water. We'll see.
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__________________
Happy Camping! ///// Richard D.
2006 4x4 Ford 250 SD / 2007 Flagstaff 827 FLS
One very patient wife and one furry child who travels with us. Forty-two years of trailering and camping, and I still have a blast.
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11-18-2007, 10:40 PM
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#10
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The Jolly Mon
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ND...HELP!
Posts: 1,691
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Nope...no tanks. I have a residential style toliet as well. All gray/black water flushes right out to the sewer pipes....just like home. Boy, does that cut down the mess/fuss/smell/expense/time/repulsiveness of camping in the seasonal!
__________________
Pete (Jolly Mon)
2018 Wildwood Grand Lodge 42 DLTS
-Seasonal Space, Northern MN.
-2017 Sylvan 8522 LZ LES/115 Merc/Sea Legs
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11-18-2007, 10:52 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Quispamsis NB Canada
Posts: 1,026
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NDJollyMon
Nope...no tanks. I have a residential style toliet as well. All gray/black water flushes right out to the sewer pipes....just like home. Boy, does that cut down the mess/fuss/smell/expense/time/repulsiveness of camping in the seasonal!
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So is that a mod? I understood that all the PT series trailers had all the usual tanks as my 401 does.
__________________
- Salem 401-2b; 31" Sony Trinitron and two channels on the antenna.
- Smokin' hot wife... 2 boys, 25 and 10.
83 sweet sweet days camped in 2008 - not easy in my neck of the woods!
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11-19-2007, 10:45 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 16
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Fill black tank 1/2 full of water, put 2 large bags of ice down the stool and go for a drive.
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11-19-2007, 10:46 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 16
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... and DON'T use BAR SOAP!!!
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11-19-2007, 04:44 PM
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#14
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The Jolly Mon
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ND...HELP!
Posts: 1,691
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Quote:
Originally Posted by welshman599
So is that a mod? I understood that all the PT series trailers had all the usual tanks as my 401 does.
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Dealer said mine came from the factory without tanks. He also stated that many customers buying trailers for seasonal camping ask to have them modified/removed. I can find no evidence inside or outside that it ever had any tanks. No fresh, black or gray.
At first, the salesman told me it had tanks. When I found out differently, I was mad! After it sunk in....I was HAPPY!
Now, when I pop in for an afternoon, or a whole weekend...I don't have to spend time cleaning tanks and such! Boy, does this simplify my weekends! (and winterizing) No tanks means...NO DUMP STATIONS! :-)
__________________
Pete (Jolly Mon)
2018 Wildwood Grand Lodge 42 DLTS
-Seasonal Space, Northern MN.
-2017 Sylvan 8522 LZ LES/115 Merc/Sea Legs
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11-19-2007, 07:23 PM
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#15
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Florida Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mount Dora, Florida...close to paradise
Posts: 58
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I used cascade dishwasher detergent this past trip and didn't have ANY odor. I have one of the clear elbows for the connection and it looked to me like a lot of "stuff" came out when I dumped the tanks.
__________________
'67 Scuba Stan, starting to show signs of wear
'04 Dodge 2500 Quad cab, 5.9 Cummins, low miles
'04 Cardinal 29LE, like new
'92 Son, Barely used
'71 Wife, spoiled rotten, but in great shape
'99 Miniture Cocker Spaniel, spoiled rotten, almost as much as '71 wife.
'08 "Chug", running in a dead tie for second as far as being as spoiled as '71 wife.
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11-20-2007, 09:42 AM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 45
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I like ice cubes, a little dish soap and water.
__________________
Bill
2006 Hemi Ram Quad Cab 4x4
2005 Cherokee 28A+
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11-29-2007, 08:29 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 145
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Calgon
Walmart sells calgon....... 
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11-29-2007, 08:34 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lexington NC
Posts: 94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Vaughn
Walmart sells calgon....... |
Apparently my Wally World Supercenter doesn't. I couldn't find it, and neither could 2 associates that I asked. It wasn't with the loofas and body oils (yeah, Welshman, I looked there too) and I couldn't find it in the grocery section.
__________________
My driver's license says my name is "Jeff"
2000 Chevy 2500 4/4 6.0/3.73
2002 FR Sandpiper 30FKSS
Reese Strait-Line
Prodigy
DW
DD (Darling Dachshund)
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01-27-2008, 05:47 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 145
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Calgon
It was over with the laundry soaps in our wally world....
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06-22-2008, 03:51 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Beaumont, Alberta
Posts: 6
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try Snow Fresh
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