Odoriferous Black Water Tank

[rfield54]

I need a good solution for an odoriferous black water tank on a sedentary (read: I can't instigate the bag of ice trick) Airstream. I noticed a lot of praise for "Flush King" in a search I just ran, but I think I need more cleaning action...like a wand. Is any particular one best? Any other solution I might be missing? I want to avoid using chemicals because of the septic system. Thanks . . . Roy

[jcanavera]

FYI Roy, there are many septic tank friendly compounds available to use in your black water tank. Even Wal-Mart sells them. Just read the labels for that information.

Prior to the inbuilt flush system on my Classic I found that emptying the black tank when full, and then filling one more time and emptying again, followed by adding a dose of the holding tank chemical and a quart or two of water pretty much kept my tank in pretty good shape between camping trips.

Jack

[Silvertwinkie]

Ditto Jack's comments. We've had no issues since. The tank flush is very handy. I use to think it was a real toy, but since we've had it and used it, we've found it VERY useful.

[rfield54]

I currently use a tank additive, as well as letting the tank get 3/4 full before flushing and then filling and flushing with fresh water...two and three times. I'm pretty sure this is accumulated matter we're talking about, though.

[Silvertwinkie]

You eatin' cheese, chili and drinking some beers like some Wisconsin folk we know?

Doing the flush as described, we've had little to no remains in the tank after the fact (before we had a tank flush).

[rfield54]

I realize what works with an already clean and stable system (I have a newer trailer as well), But the trailer in question is 25 years old. I suspect the BWT was funky before I bought it 3 years ago. I'm telling you, it's not what's IN the inside of the tank but what's ON the inside of the tank. I'd love to just bypass the tank and go straight to the septic line, but I don't want to alter it in case I want to sell it.

[john hd]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

You eatin' cheese, chili and drinking some beers like some Wisconsin folk we know?

Doing the flush as described, we've had little to no remains in the tank after the fact (before we had a tank flush).

HEY! i resemble that remark!


roy,

try finding a product called "robic" it is a enzyme that designed for septic systems. it is supposed to break down "solids" in a septic system.

toss a box of it in, fill the tank, let it sit for a week or so and see what happens. at the very least you will be doing your septic system some good when you dump it.

can't hurt to try it!

john

[nickcrowhurst]

Roy, after doing what john describes, I would suggest trying what I did. I simply dragged a hose through into the trailer, and let one of those angled wands blast water in for several hours, changing the ratational angle of the wand every quarter of an hour. Then I stuffed the hose up the external black tank outlet, and let that run for hours, again pushing and turning the hose to get at a slightly different part of the tank. I was surprised how effective this was. The tank should not smell if it is digesting properly. It will smell if things like chlorine in bleach ,some detergents, or formaldehyde treatments are allowed to enter the tank and kill the natural bacteria. I use Ecosave, as recommended by Phred at http://www.phrannie.org/macerator.html
Good luck. Nick.

[rfield54]

Thanks for the replies. Phred's site is very informative. I now know the benefits of aerobic bacteria.

What then is the best product for toilet cleaning...baking soda? - Roy

[Stefrobrts]

I just wanted to add that I had a problem with an accumulation when I bought the trailer - my 12 gal tank only held six gallons! I dumped in some Rid-X, filled the tank, and let it sit for a couple weeks between trips. It really cleaned it out and a lot of the old stuff came loose on the next dump.

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by rfield54

What then is the best product for toilet cleaning...baking soda? - Roy

Roy, elbow grease plus dihydrogen oxide works well, but if you don't have those, baking soda is what Phred recommends. If that doesn't please you, then a little Dawn will not harm the good bacteria. The things we talk about! Nick.