JTMO
Novato, CA
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Joined: 10/26/2003
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Extreme here, I go 4-6 weeks (15-20 person days), on mountain property before pulling out to dump my 50 gallons.
Only when it gets totally full does it get ripe if the wind hits the vent pipe just right, back into the roof vents. Your 2-3 days just doesn't compare.
In 4 years of travels coast to coast I have never used chemicals. I just flush well after dumping. Many campgrounds have had their septic systems killed off by RV's and their chemicals. Example, Jackson Rancheria CA now makes you dump into a holding tank {before using their full hookup sites) that they truck offsite as one of us killed the sewage plant.
Now, these are specially trained engineers in waste management. I have to go with them and my experience, no chemicals in my 'holding' tanks. Heck, if there are good little enzymes in there to break something down I am happy.
Pine-sol I here is fine?
They spent $100000 fixing our problem.
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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Aridon wrote:Smell? What smell? If you need to put bleach down your tank to stop the smell I'd suggest looking for another cause because you shouldn't be smelling anything. I know we don't.
We dump around once a week or there abouts. For the most part the water flushes everything out but if there are some solids in there the bacteria will eat them and they shouldn't have any chance of turning into concrete.
If you want to use bleach feel free to do so, I just don't think its necessary and if you end up using too much you will end up with a leaky seal. Thats about the last thing I'd want on a black tank.
Some people act like things are a competition or if someone does something a different way that its just RIDICULOUSLY WRONG, do what you want and enjoy yourselves. Message boards are filled with opinions, because they are like bum holes everyone has one.
jorn wrote:All my "reading-up" conflicts with your statements, but I'd dare not suggest you change what you claim is working for you.
These are interesting sarcastic responses that were completely unnecessary. If you disagree, then disagree.
Happy Camping!
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LLeopold
Camarillo, CA USA
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Joined: 06/19/2001
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Please keep it civil folks.
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jorn
Twin Cities
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Joined: 06/14/2005
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outdoorsman2007 wrote:
These are interesting sarcastic responses that were completely unnecessary. If you disagree, then disagree.
Happy Camping!
Okay, I do. 
2001 Coachmen Leprechaun 314SS (Acquired in July 2008)
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shutdown
In The Dog House
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Joined: 03/13/2008
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I am not going to read 4 pages of stuff on how clean folks like a poo tank. But I'll tell you what i do...tried the blue stuff, the green stuff, the Orange stuff, the dry stuff, the wet stuff. I am not a self proclaimed poo tank expert or clean freak but i do hate the smell of my own waste. What i found is that NONE OF IT WORKED AS WELL AS BLEACH! nor was as cheap or easy to find. FYI I use a half cup and a gallon of water to start then a half cup when i can smell it again. BTW i have never had a problem with leaky seals...I have camped 75~80 nights per year over the last 3 years using bleach
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FamilyCamping
CA
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Joined: 08/19/2005
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I just don't enjoy the poop tank enough I guess. Our family all use the toilet in the trailer instead of public one at the campgrounds. When the gauge displays 'Full' or real close I dump it.
THAT'S ALL. If pouring what ever in there makes you feel better have at it! Personally I have poured blue AquaKem in if it seemed to stink when flushing, but otherwise I don't think about or care what is, or is not happening in a tank of poo!
If it aint broke I'm not gonna fix(or change) it!
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bigjimcruising
Orange County, CA
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Joined: 02/22/2007
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I'm full time in my camper so I need to clean the black tank perhaps more often then others but I use the bleach method about every 3rd tank. More often in heat waves since that seems to really cook the bad stuff! Depending on tank level I'll use either 1 or 2 gallons of bleach. I'll usually pour them in, run a few errands in the rig then head for the dump station. I'll do a full flush to get the bleach oders out of the tank and then refill the tank by about 10 gallons to start all over again. I've been doing this same system for a year and a half with no problems at all. I works very well to kill the bad smells. I use whatever bleach is on sale at the store and there doesn't seem to be any difference in them other then now some are scented! Works great! By the way, I've tried just about every other method that I've come across on these forums and in the stores. Took me months and lots of trouble to wind up doing it the "KISS" way. Nothing worse then smelly tanks!!
2007 F450 4x4 Extended Cab, 6.0 PSD AT, 9ft Flatbed with 8ft boxes. Okanagan 117DBL, loaded. 13ft tall! Happy Trails!
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onemancan
Southeast US
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Joined: 06/30/2006
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I've had the sensor, odor and even Phorid Fly issues also. After running through the gamut of so called formaldehyde-free treatment products, I thoroughly washed my black tank clean, then took the no additive approach. The flies increased. Long story short, a couple of years ago I found a product called Oxy-Kem2. I got it from http://northernexplorer.com - I have other issues with my rv from time to time but my holding tanks are problem free. Sensors stay clean, no odor and just a few flies every now and then. It's a green product that uses oxygen and enzymes to do the dirty work.
Hope this helps someone with holding tank issues.
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raydf_1
Miami FL
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Joined: 05/10/2008
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Thanks one and all for the excellent information! This Oxy-Kem2 product, by the way, sounds wonderful.
Cheers!
onemancan wrote:I've had the sensor, odor and even Phorid Fly issues also. After running through the gamut of so called formaldehyde-free treatment products, I thoroughly washed my black tank clean, then took the no additive approach. The flies increased. Long story short, a couple of years ago I found a product called Oxy-Kem2. I got it from http://northernexplorer.com - I have other issues with my rv from time to time but my holding tanks are problem free. Sensors stay clean, no odor and just a few flies every now and then. It's a green product that uses oxygen and enzymes to do the dirty work.
Hope this helps someone with holding tank issues.
Ray
2009 Fleetwood Pulse 24A
Miami FL
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siliconjunkie
Buckhannon, WV
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Joined: 04/25/2004
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My guess is that all the campgrounds with sewage problems are more than likely undersized or poorly designed and maintained systems. There isn't enough chemical in a given tank dump to matter or "kill" a properly designed and sized system. It is a fraction of a percent, well under 1% at most. Blaming it on chemicals is just a good scape goat.
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