kfc
SC
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I used TST that is available at Wal Mart. And I also used Scott's. The main thing is to put about 5 to 10 gallons of water in the tank before using it. And make sure that it is at least 2/3 full before dumping it. Even if you have to add water to the tank to get it to that level. And after you empty the tank put in your chemicals and about 5 gals. of water. Good luck.
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Wildwood TT
Texas
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Joined: 07/06/2008
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kfc-
Thanks! I will check that brand...TST. I don't recall that being mentioned yet but there have been so many responses that it is hard to keep up. I hate to sound so stupid but do we just start flushing WAY before we start "going"? Is that what you mean by putting 5-10 gallons in before you flush? Not clear on that. Or do you mean that we should have some extra gallons of milk jugs that are filled with water and pour those down before flushing? I have 3 small ones under age 9 so I really need to know how to handle this in order to "talk it up" and explain the importance of extra water in the bowl before flushing. Thanks for your help!
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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Wildwood TT wrote:I did check out the Scott's 1,000 tp for septic systems today while doing some grocery shopping at Walmart. It looks awfully thin and didn't feel very soft when I squeezed it. I suppose I could stand it for long weekends but I can't say I would ever put it in my house. Ouch! Economically speaking, I think we will go with the blue stuff for now rather than the Geo method or other things suggested...although I appreciated all the input. I can't fathom using just water with three kids under the age of 9...two are boys. Their bathroom here at the house stinks no matter how often I clean it. Ick!
If their bathroom stinks, it's because they have bad aim, clearly it's not because of any issues related to an RV-type black tank.
With that much use (2 adults and 3 young kids), you're going to be dumping frequently anyway, which is an argument for using the Geo method. In case you hadn't checked, the Geo method is based on using lots of water and occasionally using other products in the tanks.
We use nothing but Scott's TP in the RV and stick house, and we're on a city septic system. Why not try one roll; IMHO squeezing a roll just tests for how puffy it is, and won't tell you anything about the comfort factor of the surface of the paper. It's thin because it's single-ply, which is why it's OK for septic and RV systems.
Joanne
1994 Lazy Daze 23.5' TK
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Wildwood TT
Texas
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Joanne-
Thank you for your response...another female with knowledge of small children. This is the exact response I have been waiting for. I was really worried that this tp would be rough but I trust a female so we will give it a try. Are you using chemicals or just lots of water? My kids are so young that I worry they won't remember to use lots of water when they flush. Do you add fabric softener to your blank tank?
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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Well, my own son has grown up using nothing but Scott's at home. He complains about a lot of things, but has never complained about the TP in 20 years.
Tell the kids a graphic story about the dreaded "Poop pyramid of doom" if you want to impress them with the importance of using plenty of water. (Do a search on these boards if you need inspiration.) If necessary, explain that those responsible for creating it are also responsible for removing it.
I have never used any "chemicals" of any type in my RV's tanks. I guess you'd call me a user of the Geo system, since I occasionally toss some detergent and water softener (not fabric softener) down the toilet, about once every 4 or 5 dumps when I'm on the road.
To backtrack a little: Wildwood TT wrote: ... do we just start flushing WAY before we start "going"? Is that what you mean by putting 5-10 gallons in before you flush? Not clear on that. Or do you mean that we should have some extra gallons of milk jugs that are filled with water and pour those down before flushing? ...
After you dump the tanks, you should put some water in the black tank to make sure that it never gets dry. IMHO, 2 or 3 gallons is enough, which you can add from jugs or by flushing.
Different RV potties have different flushing systems. On ours, you lift UP on the pedal to add water to the bowl, and then step down to open the gate and everything drops into the pit. For this last step, you hold it open just long enough for the bowl contents to drop down; then release. In preparation for this grand finale, the recommended water is added by holding the flush pedal UP (with your foot) as long as necessary, at least long enough to submerge any paper that's in there. We once caught my 4-year-old grandson doing this 3 times in a row, so apparently some little kids enjoy this step.
The crucial thing is that there's enough water in the black tank in proportion to other stuff, so that when you dump it all moves along. Therefore, it's OK if some users use too little water, as long as other users come along and compensate for this.
Only moms (or grandmoms) of little kids can have these down-to-earth poop conversations! In my experience, people who have only recently been toilet-trained are much more open to these suggestions, compared with people who were toilet-trained 50 years ago and who don't want to think about it.
* This post was
edited 07/12/08 08:10pm by joanne0012 *
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flyingchamp
SC
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I too am new to RVing. Was at Camping World this week-end reading every label in the toilet treatment isle. When another RVer came up and told me not to use any of those products. She uses one capfull of laundry detergent and one of the water softner and has never had a bit of trouble. Warning about blue stuff, Its very blue!!! When we bought our RV I couldnt figure what the blue was on the carpet until I got it all over my hands! Man what a mess. Have you heard about putting down some ice cubes when you first start out also as they kind of roll around down there and get stuff off the sides.
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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If you use plenty of water and occasionally put in some water softener and laundry detergent , you won't need to use ice cubes or anything else to "get stuff off the sides." This method has already been mentioned twice on this page, as well as by the gal you encountered at CW.
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Rubiranch
Salt Lake City, UT
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I also use TST. After dumping and rinsing our tank I add about 2 1/2 gallons of water, a bottle of TST, two capfuls of Calgon and some Rid-X.
Works good for us.
Ice cubes. For the life of me I can't imagine those doing anything as far as breaking up stuff inside the tank. I would think they are a waste of time.
We always travel home and dump at a county facility just a few blocks from home, if everything hasn't loosened up by then it aint coming loose. 
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K3WE
Missouri
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Rubiranch wrote:Ice cubes. For the life of me I can't imagine those doing anything as far as breaking up stuff inside the tank. I would think they are a waste of time.
While I've never used ice cubes either, I wouldn't knock them and then make a statement that pretty clearly implies that you have never tried them.
Based on what I've read here, a lot of folks have found that ice cubes and driving will give a little "scrubbing action" to the inside of the tank.
I think it's good to stop for a minute and ask if some folks aren't "over the top" on "sanitizing" the black tank.
But that doesn't make someone crazy for having encountered gauges that are shorted out with accumulated stuff, nor someone wanting a little extra rinse action (and who hauls heavy sloshing water to do so, like you do, or who tries to get an extra rinse in before unhooking the sewer like I do), or someone who thinks a little "abrasion" from ice-rocks sloshing around in the thank might clean the tank sensors a bit more.
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Tim from Alabama
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Well, my poop stinks, and I don't like it when I pull the handle to flush and the air comes up with everything i've put down there.
I also use Scotts single ply, but it does leave a few things to be desired at times and sometimes will take a little extra in a heavy situation....lol
I use the Portapak drop ins. I also boondock. So, I drop in one and fill the bowl twice to dump down with it. I don't get those smells coming up and I don't have trouble with my valves sticking either. I also use plenty of water per flush, and I flush a full bowl with each #1 to help the water down there out.
When my tank is full, I use my portable 25 gallon tote and dump in it to carry off to dumpsite. I also clean it with plenty of water after each trip and pour about a cup of liquid fabric softener in it and leave the cap off to air out between uses.
When i'm getting ready to leave the campsite, I drop in a pack and pour in 2 cups of liquid softener and fill the black tank to 2/3 tank. I then drive back home with that in there to wash the insides clean, as I don't have to worry about that extra weight and I don't camp very far from home.
When I get home, I hook up to my septic system at home and pull the valve. When it's empty, I use my backflush system...an old tank outlet cap with a screw on fitting for a hose pipe...and run my hose and backflush the tank until it's full again, close the valve, remove the cap, and flush that down my septic system.
Doing all this, my tank always smells fresh and clean even in the heat of summer when I open the flush on the toilet, and I also leave the valve open to allow airflow through the tank and the roof vent.
BUT, that's just me and I don't like to smell what i've left behind when I am trying to leave more behind.
Tim
If I don't meet your expectations
Maybe you should lower your standards.
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