BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Jason Worman on June 18, 2020, 11:16:31 PM
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Hi all,
So I was wondering about the black tank, does anyone do any kind of treatments between the time the tanks are dumped, rinsed, and initial treatments? Is there a recommended treatment after each use that helps? Currently I use the concentrated TST orange stuff, I add the recommended amount for my tank size, and the leave tank alone in-between dumps. Thank you
Jason
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When we used our coach more often for trips and camping, I would often flush the black tank when dumping it. We have rarely used any additives for odor control, although I have added TSP for liquefication of solids over the tank fill-level sensor and vegetable oil to lubricate the gate valve (this for both the black and gray tanks). I do not remember ever smelling our black tank inside the coach, although we do keep a quart of RV Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment on hand. I have smelled the gray tank when the elbow in the Splendide drain evaporated dry.
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Jason,
I would have to ask this question, how long does the coach sit between adventures?. If it is used frequently (every 6 weeks) then I would say do exactly as you are doing. Perhaps add 2 -3 gallons of water. If the coach is allowed to sit for long periods of time, the waste tank vent will allow the tank to dry out. This creates a thin skin of human waste cement. When it finally breaks loose when the coach does get used, it raises havoc with dump valves and can block the flow when dumping.
I recommend a chemical that contains the required bacteria that breaks the waste and toilet paper down into a slurry for easy discharge. I use a product called "Oder-less". It contains the natural occurring bacteria with a continuous supply of the best alternative energy source to pure oxygen-nitrates. This eliminates the need for bacteria to target sulfate for energy and the result is NO holding tank odors. I have been using it since 1998 and it works great. You cannot add any other product with it especially a deodorizer as it will kill it. Hope this helps, Fred
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Fred,
We live full time in ours, so we dump and flush every couple of weeks, I worry its not enough time for the proper breakdown of things.
Jason
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No chemicals needed, just use plenty of water when you flush. Your black tank is not a septic tank and waste reduction does not occur. Its just a tank. Keep it clean with plenty of water. Water is your friend.
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I use tank tech. It has bugs (bacteria) in it that eat the odors in the tank. I haven't had any odors since I started using it. You can get it on amazon.
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I use Tank Techs RX as well. Very satisfied with it too, and they also endorse using adequate water at each toilet flush. Little or no visible solids in Black Tank dumps and you do not use the tank flush when dumping so there can be treatment carryover. Add another dose to the “empty tank”, and add water to distribute the dose and you’re done. No issues with odor.
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Tank Tecks RX and RV Digest-It are virtually the same stuff with no formaldehyde and made by different manufacturers. They are both probiotics and will digest almost all organic solids, including any brand of TP, with which they come in contact. And they both cost about $1 per treatment in the bottles of liquid. Both can be purchased on Amazon Prime. Tank Tecks RX comes only in bottles of liquid; at least, that's all I could find. RV Digest-It comes in bottles of liquid, containers of scoopable powder, and drop-in pods. There are other brand names of similar tank treatments made by other manufacturers.
They are kinda like Coke and Pepsi... almost identical.
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Hi All,
Thank you all for the replies, will look at the products mentioned. Will go back to using Scott TP, as well.
Jason Worman
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I'm with Bill Lampkin. We don't need "products".
About 10 or so years ago I stopped using blank tank chemicals. After I dump the black I add about a 1/4 tank of fresh through the flush. Driving sloshes the contents. The best time to dump is when you pull in to a new campsite after an hour or so of sloshing.
I'm quite convinced that a cup or so of anything in a 60 gallon tank is too diluted to do anything.
The only time I've ever smelled the black tank is if I hold the valve open when the ceiling fan is sucking air out of the rig or get near the roof vent on a cleaning operation.
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The issue of what goes on in your black tank, well, is something of a black hole. I do my best to obfuscate the issue with the following:
I'm on week two of my scientifical , observational test of "Tank Tech RX" as others here have suggested. My observations are just that, and in no way am I one to criticize others or their opinions. Now, for the news:
I use a clear elbow as the first thing connected to my waste tank, so I can see what is going on. Too many times I have closed the black valve on some debris and then have to deal with the clog in the valve. So I let the black tank flush water rinse the tank until I see nothing but clear water coming through the elbow, then I shut the valve.
Using Tank tech RX I have see no difference in the poop count, tissue tussle or other black tank criteria. I doubt it has done anything but to relieve my bank account of $42.95 at the RV store. One clue may be its 'ingredients'; Structured water (??), lactic acid bacteria, molasses and rice bran. AFAIK, cellulase enzyme is the only thing that can break down toilet paper (cellulose). As far as odors, no change noted, but I never have smelled a black tank odor anyway. Tank Tech instructions say "90% of odor problems are caused by insufficient water in the tank."
So I'll continue with my scientifcal observations of Tank Tech RX until the quart bottle is empty. I'll let you know if something different happens with my black tank.
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Bill,
I also use a clear elbow between the tank output and the dump hose. Prior to using Tank Tech I would always see some debris and brown liquid initially when flushing the tank after dumping. With TT the flush liquid is clear. Agree that odor is mainly dependent on amount of water in tank.
Steve
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Steve, All I can say is that the flush liquid is only clear after I use the black tank flush; your experience is, to me, remarkable.
Happy travels!
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Hi All,
So I ran our hose that has sprayer nozzle on the end into the bkack tank and sprayed/filled/dumped 4 times until drainage ran clear. Took advice and have added extra water with each use of the toilet, I did add some of TST chemical, tank now ready to dump after sitting two weeks to fill. I pulled the handle and only liquid drained, closed valve and filled again with water, must be plugged somewhere. Will run the sprayer again and hopefully this did not damage the tank.
Jason Worman
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Repeat the fill, drain, rinse, flush. A true clog will not allow much water to drain, until the clog/plug comes out. The clear elbow on the drain fitting reveals all. If all else fails, run an old hose end up thru the black valve into the tank and turn on the water; be prepared for a shower. A reverse rinse like this should take care of any plug. Good luck!
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Jason
Usually a clog or back up is located at the drain valve itself and most often caused by a leaking drain valve allowing the liquid run slowly leak by leaving the solids behind at the valve resulting in a dam of solids behind the valve.
There are clear dump elbows with spray nozzles which spray back into the dump valves but there effectiveness depends on the distance back to the valve and wheather or not there are and elbows or turns in the dump piping as most have.
By leaving your dump cap off and running water into the black tank with the dump valve closed you should see no water come out of the dump piping if you do the black water valve seals are leaking and should be replaced.
If no leak keep flushing until you get it clean .
I've found over the years that the flush wands you put on a hose and stick down the toilet work as well as anything for the tough ones or the hose up the dump pipe but that's messy .
As for chemicals I don't use any of the fancy stuff as I have never had odor issues as others have suggested put a gallon or two of water in the tank after dumping to create a wet bottom so the solids don't dry out and stick and of course to cover them so they don't drink.
Again when I feel the need for chemicals believe it or not I use a half cup of fabric softener it coats the tank and helps those nasty solids slide right out but the most important parts is to keep an inch or two of water in the bottom of the tank if your like me my gray water tank is always the first to fill up anyway so that extra water in the black tank is ok.
Another trick is to dump your black tank then raise your dump hose up about a foot and with the black valve open then open the gray valve this runs gray water back into the black tank then close the gray and lower the hose to allow black to dump once more if timed right you can get three or four good flushes on your black tank before you good ahead and dump all the gray. Then fallow up with the tank rinse I find this works better than the tank rinser because of the water volume.
Hope some of this helps
Eric
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Eric,
Thanks for the advice, dump valve is not leaking, so will do another good flush, have had no problems until recently, only change is with summer here, have not had to drive much to refill propane tank, which means the tank doesn't slosh around.
Thanks,
Jason Worman
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So Jason, I know its tough sledding on the Oregon Coast around Coos Bay; Must be about 62-66 today, and in the winter, it drops to what, 56? You've got it made, so enjoy!
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Bill,
We get a lot of rain here, but when it's good it is really good! Supposed to be high 60's and sunny all week. Feel free to stop by and spend a day or two with us, will show you the sights.
Jason
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We're basking in the clouds and t-storms in Whitefish MT, but will be on the Oregon coast in late July; might take you up on the tour offer!
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Whitefish is beautiful, lived 8 years in Missoula, got tired of the snow and cold