What chem do you use in the black tank

[Dave W]

Usually one of the deodorants will keep the odor down. Since we seasonal, I simply do a good back flush and cleanout every other dump which suffices. We generally take a lengthy trip each fall. On the last leg to home, I will add a few ounces of easily found Rid-X which has both same basic ingredients as Happy Camper at a lot less dollars(look at the SDS). Remember, these are holding tanks, not septic tanks. All you want to do is to better break up whatever is in there to do a full dump. Rid-x and Happy Camper will do that job. That blue stuff in a plastic bottle is for all intent, a deodorant

[GHallof]

For as crappy as this topic is. I have to say all of the comments are interesting for sure. The creativity on the many ways to deal black tank waste is impressive. I purchased and tried some happy camper this weekend. Jury is still out and a bit more time will tell I'm sure.

One thing I did notice from a number of posts was that if these systems are operating properly there should be no odor as they are vented. I agree to a point. However, this weekend while trying the new happy camper I think I figured out why (not miraculous for sure) many get a whiff out of the tank.

Its hot out. The black tank gets hot. The ingredients are doing their thing waiting to be dumped. You finish your business and flush. Next thing ya know, you get a blast of this most awful smell, so thick you can chew it. Here's the reason...Your automatic fan is on and set so high that its draft pulls the odor back into the bathroom.

Again not a miraculous discovery, but I laughed like heck when it happened this weekend to me and I realized that because of this thread I was paying more attention because of what I read.

I really want to thank everyone on here for all the contributions of information...Even the stinky ones!!!

[mjmspeednut]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

The Calgon helps to keep the sides slipperily so stuff does stick to the sides, allowing for a better flush.

How much Calgon do you use? Say for a 60 gallon tank.

[mhs4771]

I just use a cap full of calgon and approx a cup of generic pine sol.

[speedster100]

Last couple years we have been using Dollar store fabric softener good for the valve seals and smells fine.

[Wycomike]

Originally Posted by GHallof

For as crappy as this topic is. I have to say all of the comments are interesting for sure. The creativity on the many ways to deal black tank waste is impressive. I purchased and tried some happy camper this weekend. Jury is still out and a bit more time will tell I'm sure.

One thing I did notice from a number of posts was that if these systems are operating properly there should be no odor as they are vented. I agree to a point. However, this weekend while trying the new happy camper I think I figured out why (not miraculous for sure) many get a whiff out of the tank.

Its hot out. The black tank gets hot. The ingredients are doing their thing waiting to be dumped. You finish your business and flush. Next thing ya know, you get a blast of this most awful smell, so thick you can chew it. Here's the reason...Your automatic fan is on and set so high that its draft pulls the odor back into the bathroom.

Again not a miraculous discovery, but I laughed like heck when it happened this weekend to me and I realized that because of this thread I was paying more attention because of what I read.

I really want to thank everyone on here for all the contributions of information...Even the stinky ones!!!

LOL, you are correct! I recently installed a new MaxxAir model 7500K fan in our bathroom and now the wife makes me “turn off” the fan when I am doing my business ��. That new fan moves a whole lot more air (and odor) than the stock Fan-Tastic one ever did.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by GHallof

For as crappy as this topic is. I have to say all of the comments are interesting for sure. The creativity on the many ways to deal black tank waste is impressive. I purchased and tried some happy camper this weekend. Jury is still out and a bit more time will tell I'm sure.

One thing I did notice from a number of posts was that if these systems are operating properly there should be no odor as they are vented. I agree to a point. However, this weekend while trying the new happy camper I think I figured out why (not miraculous for sure) many get a whiff out of the tank.

Its hot out. The black tank gets hot. The ingredients are doing their thing waiting to be dumped. You finish your business and flush. Next thing ya know, you get a blast of this most awful smell, so thick you can chew it. Here's the reason...Your automatic fan is on and set so high that its draft pulls the odor back into the bathroom.

Again not a miraculous discovery, but I laughed like heck when it happened this weekend to me and I realized that because of this thread I was paying more attention because of what I read.

I really want to thank everyone on here for all the contributions of information...Even the stinky ones!!!

Our MaxxFan is always on and I have a super sensitive nose. I never smell anything. One thing I did do is go on the roof with a hose and run water down the vent to make sure it was working shortly after we bought this rig. It's the first thing I would do if I ever did start to smell the beast.

As far as all the folks using chems for short periods of time, I do the same for tiger control. I snap my fingers once a day to keep them away. It must work, I haven't seen a tiger around here ever.

[OKCamper]

So what's with the pods you can toss down the chute? I've heard rumors about some not dissolving. It's always someone heard about someone who had problems with their valve. I'm having problems with my new HC 335 galley valve leaking the first time I took it out. I can't just toss a pod down the kitchen sink so there are other issues with valves not associated with these pods. Has this actually happened to anyone's rig personally where pods didn't properly dissolve? I used a rental RV in Alaska for a week with no odors at all. I was pretty impressed so I'm thinking about staying with the pods.

[432bartman]

Using PurePowerBlue liquid

[DebNJim B]

Update from my earlier post.

We have always used the eco-blend w/o issues, but we mostly do winter camping in the south.

Couple weeks ago all our kids visited for a couple weeks and DW and I stayed in the camper to make more room the house. Just used the toilet for midnight visits, but when I flushed it, wow, bad odor. No odor other than when the flush valve was open.

Thinking back, seems when we came back north in the spring we used our own private b/r for rest stops and the last couple nights were parking lot boon docks so I didn't have the chance to dump and flush the black tank.

Anyway the temps in July were in the 90's most everyday. Seems that makes a difference. As per my son-in-law's advice I got the good blue stuff and that took care of the odor. I will keep that in stock if we do any further summer time camping.

[Montana Man]

Originally Posted by OKCamper

So what's with the pods you can toss down the chute? I've heard rumors about some not dissolving. It's always someone heard about someone who had problems with their valve. I'm having problems with my new HC 335 galley valve leaking the first time I took it out. I can't just toss a pod down the kitchen sink so there are other issues with valves not associated with these pods. Has this actually happened to anyone's rig personally where pods didn't properly dissolve? I used a rental RV in Alaska for a week with no odors at all. I was pretty impressed so I'm thinking about staying with the pods.

I cut the pods and pour the contents down the hole. I put the wrapper in water to see what happens. It turned into a blob that wouldn't be nice if wedged in a valve.

[beeje]

We have been using happy camper for years. Does it work ? Don't Know. If your sink/tub traps are full of water along with water in your toilet bowl, you should have no smells. We have been on septic for 25 years with the tank being 10 foot from the house and never had a smell issue. Just saying!!

[Last2Die]

Okay, so I read on here about the Calgon and I use it because you all recommended it but what does it do...? Lol. I do plan on getting some happy camper too...I think...

Tony

[beeje]

Originally Posted by Last2Die

Okay, so I read on here about the Calvin and I use it because you all recommended it but what does it do...? Lol. I do plan on getting some happy camper too...I think...

Tony

It's Calgon and it's a water softener keeps stuff from sticking to the sides of the tanks

[Last2Die]

Ugh autocorrect on my phone kills me sometimes. That’s what I thought thanks.

[OKCamper]

Montana Man, Thanks for the info. That's enough for me to steer clear of them. Back to measuring cup for me.