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12-19-2004, 09:34 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Jonesborough
Posts: 235
M.O.C. #2313
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Calgon-Black tank
After looking on this site and a few others, I have saw the method of using Calgon and detergent in the black tanks instead of chemicals. All posts I have seen on this method are positive. Has anyone tried this method and had problems?(sensors, seals hardning,etc.) Since there no chemicals, have you experienced odor problems? Does it work as good as most say it does? Thanks..
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12-19-2004, 02:49 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Mount Shasta
Posts: 1,488
M.O.C. #1685
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I tried the Calgon method in September on my rig and it did a fine job of cleaning the tanks and sensors. I added the Calgon solution to empty tanks before departing on a 200 mile run, then dumped on arrival and put chemical in the tank. I'll continue using the chemical and do the Calgon treatment only when the sensors act up.
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12-20-2004, 07:12 AM
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#3
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Livingston
Posts: 177
M.O.C. #53
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How much calgon to how much water. Our sensors have not been accurate since day one. Would really help while boondocking.
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12-20-2004, 09:30 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Mount Shasta
Posts: 1,488
M.O.C. #1685
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I can't take credit for this procedure as it was posted by another MOC member some time ago. I can't find it now, but here's what I did.
I dissolved two cups of the water softener in a gallon of hot water then poured the solution down the drain into the empty tank. I then added about 15 gallons of clean water to the tank so there would be plenty of liquid to slosh around while enroute. Also adding a cup of laundry detergent to the tank at the same time helps clean the tank.
It was also suggested that the solution could be put in an empty tank and left through normal usage until time to empty it.
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12-20-2004, 10:45 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Livingston
Posts: 177
M.O.C. #53
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Thanks for the information. We will give it a try.
Dennis
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12-20-2004, 11:30 AM
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#6
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New Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Satellite Beach
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #1594
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There are 226 posts in this thread, but the first one is the key. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/13148780.cfm
I use this method and have not added any chemicals (blue stuff) since June. No smells - everything is working OK. I will add that I use 20 Mule Team Borax instead of Calgon. Works the same and is cheaper. Can be found at most Wal*Marts.
Although the author says that he doesn't use chemicals, he also says he doesn't add water softener and soap after every dump. I do, it's not that expensive and since we don't have the "blue" smell nor the other smell, I'll continue this way. I also have not had to add bleach which the author does. Must be because I am a weekend camper and dump after every weekend trip and he is a full timer only dumping when his tank reaches capacity.
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12-20-2004, 12:50 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #722
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Big Red,
thanks for the link. We're getting ready to go camping between Christmas and New Years and going to give it a try. Thanks again.
Steve
__________________
Jill and Steve
2012 3100rl Montana
2014 F350 DRW
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12-20-2004, 02:23 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Old Town
Posts: 173
M.O.C. #2230
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We use this method on our tank and it has worked very well. I recommend it for use. I was leery at first, but not anymore.
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12-21-2004, 08:00 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
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Big Red, that's an excellent post you linked to. I've saved it for future reference. We're going to give this method a try, too. We've had some problems recently with odors from the galley tank where food particles tend to go when draining dishwater, etc. We've used some drano products that seem to help but that just cleans out the trap. I think the tank needs a cleaning, also. Thanks for the post and the tip.
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12-21-2004, 10:23 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ore City Texas
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #2224
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I'll just add a quick note to Steve's comment. We notice that it is often the galley tank from which we notice the odor when dumping. Fortunately, we do not get any odors back up into the RV. For sure we are going to try the method suggested in this thread in the galley tank. Probably, then in the black tank.
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12-21-2004, 11:01 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 578
M.O.C. #718
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I tryed the Calgon once and it worked ok but seemed to me to take a long time to mix and do three tanks, After I read some posts on the product Pure Power which they had great comments I have been using it and almost one bottle and has worked great cleaned the sencers and no smell a little pricie about $19. only use 2oz. but so is calgon. I think its what ever you like, there are several that work.
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12-22-2004, 05:42 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: St. Paul
Posts: 812
M.O.C. #621
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We fill the tank 1/2 to 3/4 full, add a couple 5# bags of ice and a 1/4 bottle of dish soap. Then drive for a while and then dump. Works great for us and the cheap soap costs pennies compared to the calgon.
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Dennis and Carol
How much calgon to how much water. Our sensors have not been accurate since day one. Would really help while boondocking.
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01-11-2005, 07:00 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: none
Posts: 1,566
M.O.C. #1043
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I agree with the # of post on this subjet. I use calgon before leaving and dump when I get to my camp site, then when leaving I do the same on the way home and dump again, then full 1/4 way to desolve whats left.
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01-22-2005, 06:50 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Full Timer
Posts: 918
M.O.C. #331
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Just where does one find Calgon? Ive tried just about every supermaret, Home Deppot, Wal-Mart, Target, etc in 50 miles and no one seems to carry it or have any idea where it might be found.
Thanks,
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01-23-2005, 04:38 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Minden
Posts: 643
M.O.C. #1629
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I found mine at Walmart....Liquid Calgon. I found the dry Calgon somewhere else...probably the grocery store.
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01-23-2005, 06:27 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Topeka
Posts: 1,121
M.O.C. #2215
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PJ ... if you still haven't found any Calgon, try looking at WalMart in the area where the bubble bath and bath soaps are located.
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01-23-2005, 07:38 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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Shoot Vicki,
I thought we were talking about the Calgon that goes in your laundry??? DUHHH on me!
Carol
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01-23-2005, 09:53 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Topeka
Posts: 1,121
M.O.C. #2215
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Well, shoot right back ... now I'm wondering if we got the wrong stuff. Quite frankly, I wondered why bath stuff would be used to clean black tanks!
BOY, IS MY FACE RED!!!!!
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01-23-2005, 11:54 AM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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Vicki,
Use it in your bath then!
I thought they were talking about the stuff that is a laundry additive, keeps the soap scum out of your clothes, I have to use it here to help keep the rust out of the clothes. I use a rust stopper salt in the water conditioner thingy in the basement, but the Calgon or whatever that stuff is that I have used, helps keep the whites just a bit whiter, just a bit longer.
I would guess that if you fed the bath stuff to your holding tanks they would sigh AHHHHHHH (ain't that what the commercial says??? )
Carol
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01-23-2005, 12:58 PM
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#20
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New Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Satellite Beach
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #1594
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Actually -- you both are right. It is a water softener and some stores will sell it with the laundry supplies. But, some stores do stock it with the bubble bath stuff. Soft water is the key - it makes soap work.
But, there are cheaper alternatives - just get a water softener - that will get the job started. As I said in an earlier post, I use 20 Mule Team Borax because it is cheaper but does the same thing - softenes water.
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