Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > General Discussions about our Montanas
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-22-2010, 03:37 PM   #1
dudleydo
New Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: norwich
Posts: 7
M.O.C. #9608
Tank Chemicals-Natural vs. Chemicals


Which is the better to use in the black water tank, natural bacteria or chemical additives? And if one goes with the natural bacteria, do I have to stay away from antibacterial soaps since they might make the bacteria ineffective?
 
dudleydo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-22-2010, 03:42 PM   #2
wswebster
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Three Rivers
Posts: 266
M.O.C. #1249
I have used natural bacteria for the last 6 years & I use anti-bacterial hand soap and have had no problems. I use a brand called Krones or Kronens, I think that's how it's spelled I don't have the bottle to look at right now. nice smell to it also. Stacy
wswebster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 12:56 AM   #3
jimcol
Montana Master
 
jimcol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,702
M.O.C. #7992
Send a message via AIM to jimcol Send a message via MSN to jimcol
We have used both chemical and bacterial additives in the black tank. Don't notice any difference between the two. I think the bacterial soap would end up in the gray tank instead of the black so it should not be an issue. Jim
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
jimcol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 02:16 AM   #4
Mrs. CountryGuy
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: _
Posts: 5,238
M.O.C. #6337
Unless Tana is going to be sitting unused for more than a few days we don't use chemicals. We dump every couple of days (unless in campground where there is no onsite dump). It is our opinion it is not needed. When we are grounded at the stick built I will add some to the tank.
Mrs. CountryGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 03:35 AM   #5
richfaa
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
Chemicals kill bacteria..bacteria kills waste. Simple choice.
richfaa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 04:55 AM   #6
boylanag
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Grand Blanc
Posts: 2,508
M.O.C. #5965
We flush regularly when traveling and do not add chemicals. We do flush the comode with plenty of water, though. When it does go into storage for a few weeks, we use chemicals, not sure which kind.
boylanag is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 04:56 AM   #7
HamRad
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
Water. And more water. When we first started RVing we used the chemical stuff. But we soon learned that it was not necessary. We simply use a lot of water when we dump the black tank. We flush the tank as many times as necessary until it is clear water only coming out.

In the gray tank we use the liquid soap anti bacterial type stuff and have not noticed it being a problem. Our bathroom sink and shower go into the rear gray tank. In the kitchen sink we use the same type soap plus kitchen type soaps. No problem there either.

Good luck.
Dennis and Mary Kay
HamRad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 05:28 AM   #8
5ER
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Pittsburgh (Carroll Twp)
Posts: 545
M.O.C. #90
I always wondered if Rid-Ex would work? The stuff that they sell for campers only seeme to be for covering up odor's and nothing more.
5ER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 05:51 AM   #9
richfaa
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
Rid X is for home septic tank use and is not fast acting enough for the short time waste is in a RV holding tank. The enzyme based RV product is fast acting but results are still questionable when in the tank for a very short time. We will be home for 6 weeks. The tanks are treated with Rid X. We seldom use any chemical in the tanks when on the road....lots of water and dump often and well.
richfaa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 08:12 AM   #10
TLightning
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
We use one cup lid of Calgon and lots of water.
TLightning is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 09:31 AM   #11
RCN.Stoker
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 143
M.O.C. #9497
I picked up the Calgon tip here and use it with the Thetford and it works like a charm. I only use the Thetford as we are often away from the unit for weeks.
RCN.Stoker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 09:52 AM   #12
bncinwv
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
Well shucks, someone has to stick up for the chemical industry!! We have used the orange stuff from Wal-Mart for years. We do notice a difference (odor) when it is not being used as a result of running out and will pick up another bottle the next time we are at Wal-Mart. We dump daily as others do, but still use the chemicals. Of course, having four to five people making contributions to the black holding tank may have something to do with it. I must mention of course, that my contributions does not supplement the odor!!! That was the politically correct term for "doesn't stink"!!
Bingo
__________________

Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
bncinwv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2010, 11:40 AM   #13
grampachet
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,107
M.O.C. #8045
DW has a very sensitive nose and smells really bother her. I quit using any chemicals a couple of years ago and she never even noticed. I dump about once a week and never have any problems. I also use whatever TP is on sale again never any problem.

These are not recommendations for anyone just what we do with positive results.

The only time I ever had any problems was when I tried out a MH and when I tried to dump someone else had so kindly built up the chocolate pyramid before we even used it.

We have also been using the sewer solution for about 4 years, and I do use the black tank flush.

Good luck.
grampachet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 11:08 AM   #14
Leaseit
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lawrenceville
Posts: 279
M.O.C. #5356
Since we do not want to turn the HOLDING tank into a septic tank, we do not use anyting which promotes more bacteria. One cup of Calgon does the trick for us and a great cleaner.
Randy
Leaseit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 11:17 AM   #15
Bill-N-Donna
Montana Master
 
Bill-N-Donna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110

We always use the chemicals also. The only thing we try and remember is not get any chemicals with formaldehyde in it. The reason being is that we once stopped at a RV park and they refused to allow anyone to dump if they were using it. They said it would mess up their sewer system and they were picking on that because a group of campers stopped overnight and with all of them dumping there it caused a problem for them. So we usually just buy the formaldehyde free chemicals but I really like using the drop in baggies the best. It leaves less of a mess and you always place the same amount in each time that way. We can tell a difference if chemicals aren’t used.
__________________
2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
Bill-N-Donna is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 11:46 AM   #16
Delaine and Lindy
Montana Master
 
Delaine and Lindy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobelville
Posts: 2,128
M.O.C. #6650
We only use Calgon and it does the trick. Works better than chemical for us. Delaine has a chemical sensitivity and we try very hard to stay away from chemicals. GBY...
Delaine and Lindy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 11:48 AM   #17
illapah
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Layton
Posts: 1,048
M.O.C. #666
We are in the Calgon and water camp too. I actually don't care for the chemical smell when we used it. Any other smells I either can't smell or don't bother me :}
illapah is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 12:50 PM   #18
OntMont
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Haldimand County
Posts: 2,413
M.O.C. #122
We have not used anything for years. Does not seem to be necessary. Just something else to make money from RVers.
OntMont is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 01:32 PM   #19
ols1932
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
As with any subject this one too has its pros and cons. Sometimes I use Snowfresh and sometimes I don't. When I don't, the black water discharging from the sewer outlet contains a lot of chunks that don't appear when I'm using Snowfresh. So, guess there is some validity to using some type of chemical.

Orv
ols1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-24-2010, 02:34 PM   #20
billhoover
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW
Posts: 255
M.O.C. #7895
Calgon for us along with Angel Soft TP...it disolves.
billhoover is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Tank chemicals Twopetes It's a Dirty Job but Someone has to do it! 17 11-03-2015 03:18 PM
Tank Enzyme Treatment vs. Chemicals larrymul General Discussions about our Montanas 8 03-05-2012 03:58 AM
toilet chemicals CasaDelSol Maintenance 18 07-21-2010 03:58 AM
What Chemicals in Black Tank? dannyl Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help 19 09-08-2006 03:51 PM
Chemicals in Blackwater Tank Rudi and Ellen Montana Problems, Problem Solving & Technical Help 9 09-05-2006 08:21 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.