Ok, I have been reading another Forum this afternoon and they were talking about using Calgon water softner in black tank. Then I read about the Geo Method. What is this??? I've never heard about Calgon used in the black tank. And this discussion got pretty heated!!!! Thats why I came back to RV-Dreams and posted the question. (because we all seem to be friends and treat each other like family!)

Thanks!

Ann

(some of these guys on the other forums can really get 'brutal' with each other!)

Hey Ann,

I was reading about the GEO method and quickly reallized how familiar it sounded.

I don't know why it is called GEO, but it is a familiar process. Over the years, many Rv'ers have devised ways to keep their tanks cleaner. One that folks I traveled with used was a pint of PineSol, a cup of Dawn dish detergent and several gallons of water. The idea was that the cleaner and detergent each used a different chemical action for cleaning. The liquids were added to the tank (and plenty of water) after dumping and before travel so that the action of the RV going down the road would agitate the fluids in the tank. I am sure it worked, just as I am sure that the Calgon method (GEO) works also.

I am unsure about the make up of Calgon Water Softener, they are not very free about there formulary. It seems to be something that decreases surface tensions and breaks down pulp and greases; it may precipitate some minerals also. Since you might drink water treated by the chemical it is probably safe. I like the PineSol and Dawn combination because it smelled clean.

The point of all the systems is to keep the tanks clean with out formaldehyde. Since dumping formaldehyde into a septic system may cause damage to the system.

I also use a clear plastic elbow about once a month, so that I can tell when the rinsing process has largely cleaned out the waste tank. About once a month do a thorough washing, especially the black tank.

I also switched to the Monsanto tank chemical. Partly because it is formaldehyde free, and partly because it works better than almost any other I have found.

Of course, your mileage may vary and there will be as many opinions on this as there are RVers.

Mike

Mike, Do you use the pinesol/Dawn method everytime you empty the black waste tank? Do you use this only in the black waste tank or in the grey tank too?

You mentioned that you use the monsanto chemical now. Do you use that instead of the pinesol/dawm method?

Just wondering? We have always used the 'green stuff' we'd get at Walmart. I never really thought much about the chemical vs detergent/watersoftner method until I saw Geo Method mentioned and the lengthy discussions on it.

We have never really ever had any problems with our black waste tank stopping up (knock on wood!) We have had some odor problems before in hot humid weather,but we were able to get rid of that quickly. I have smelled sewer gas before while in the kitchen, around the sink. My hubby thought I was crazy! Has anyone else ever smelled that sewer odor around the kitchen sink???

I also read to always keep the tub/shower,bathroom and kitchen sinks stopped up when traveling. It has something to do with sewer gas? Also, don't keep ceiling vent open in bathroom while traveling because it makes a vacuum and draws up sewer gases. I didn't know there were so many little details about this holding tank subject that one has to remember.

Ann

I got tired of paying through the nose for the expensive black tank chemicals. For the past 7 years we have only used Pinesol in the black tank in our 5th wheel (in the place of chemicals). I don't know if it will break down the seals (hasn't yet) or not, but it sure saves us money.

I carry a large (Costco) bottle of Pinesol and after I dump the tank I pour in about a pint and add a couple gallons of water. I leave it that way until it's time to dump again (full tank).

I did pour in some Dawn on our last trip home to help remove the TP from the tank sensors, but still have the sensor problem. I guess I need to do that more often.

As for odor problems, never had them. Yep it's hot here too. It got up to 117 degrees this summer. I also leave the roof vents cracked/open when we travel and have never experienced the vacuum effect you mentioned. I also leave the sink drains open.

Maybe I have been just lucky...   

A half cup of Calgon or any Dishwasher soap with a couple of gallons of water before moving keeps our tanks clean. We have not had ANY smells after installing the CW RV 360 Sanitation Vent. http://tinyurl.com/ovney

War eagle, the reason for covering the drains is that the water sloshes out of the traps during travel breaking the seal.

We tried the water softener deal and it works pretty good but we had problems often finding the calgon. Then I found a product called Rvpro 100 and 200, all natural and works well controlling smell (though we seldom had a smell problem). The most important thing is keeping plenty of water in the black tank and using a toilet paper that breaks down. The best paper we found short of buying the expensive rv stuff is Angel soft. The test for toilet paper is put a sheet in a glass of water and shake 5 times. If it seperates it will work well in the black tank. I tried it with angel soft and it completely dissolved ! It is cheap and works well. SO the main thing is, lots of water the proper paper and always flush the tank completely. I advise buying a clear sewer connection, if you think you flush your tank throughly then this connection will tell you. I always thought I did a great job. HA! I bought this and it took me a good 30 minutes to flush the tank well enough to get the water clear.

The thing you want to remember is these are 'Holding tanks' not septic tanks. You only need to keep the waste liquidfied and somewhat odor free. Usually a tank that has not artificial chemicals will keep odor controlled by enzymes naturally.

-- Edited by Tmcblane at 12:34, 2006-11-12

Guess I never really finished my post. Softening the water is a great idea, either by using soft water or a softener like calgon. It does help break surface tension of the water and prevent scum from forming on the sides of the tanks and also the sensors. We now use a softener on our rig so we don't have to search for Calgon any more.

Tmcblane, I didn't know you could have a water softener on a RV.  What are they like compared to the type that you have in a sticks/bricks place.  Does it have the big container of salt and run through the hot and cold water locations?

Thanks,

DJ

DJ, it is made for rv use by Portable on the go. It is about 6" diameter and about 14" tall. It only takes a box of table salt to regenerate it. Depending on the hardness of the water you can get from 300-700 gallons of soft water. We have pretty hard water (425 grains and 450 is about the hardest) we get by with regenerating the softener once per week. Works great. Cost was $295 as I recall. Unfortunately it kinda has to set outside of the rig. At least so far I have not figured where to put it inside to make it convenient.

I've started using a cheap liquid fabric softener and it seems to be working well. I've also tried Dawn but never Pine Sol. I love the smell of Pine Sol. I'll have to try it! The fabric softener seems to clean the sensors too. Haven't had the sensors registering below 2/3 for a long time but now they do when emptied!

Sandra

I'm sold on using Calgon every other dump or so.  Plus I like to add a cup of Dawn with several gallons of water before we hit the road.  The sudsing action works great while we drive.  The only time I'll use a chemical is when we have to park the moho without emptying the tanks for several weeks.

I do the same for the grey tank, as many people have noticed that the grey tank, with grease, food, etc in it, can get quite stinky!  The Calgon and Dawn method helps break down and release the grease and food bits next time we dump the tanks.  I have not found the need to use bleach like the Geo method suggests.

I found liquid Calgon at my old Wally World (rural town). You have to hunt for it sometimes....

Lois, I just always watch for it in the laundry eisle of the various grocery strores I'm in. Our usual store doesn't carry it, but others do so I stock up when I find it. I use the Calgon every other dump or so, and use the Dawn whenever I'm going to travel with water in the tanks so it can suds them up (even if that means from the campsite over to the dump station. Rough campground roads do a good job of agitating things!)

-- Edited by HighwayRanger at 16:08, 2007-12-09

I thought I read that is was unwise to add bleach to your black water tank because it kills "good" bacteria!

Paul

We have not used any chemicals or additives in our black or gray tanks since we went Full-timing in 2001. The sensors in the black water tank do not work, but then, I don't know of many that do after a few years. I just dump the black tank once a week.

We do not have any odor problems unless we are forced to travel with almost full tanks, (like after we stay in a driveway without hook-ups for a couple of weeks at our Son's house), or it is extremely hot and we have not dumped for awhile. We use Angel Soft TP, and have never had blockage problems.

The first few times we used the RV without chemicals, we had an odor problem, but I was told that it was natural until the good bacteria started to do it's job. Who ever told us that was right. And yes, bleach in the black water tank will kill this bacteria.

Before we hit the road Full-time, we had to use chemicals because when the RV sat for long periods of time, the smell was unbearable, but now that it is used daily, we have no problems.

Please remember, what works for us may not work for you. Try different things to see if it works in your situation.

Jim

I also use NO chemicals in either tank nor do I suds them up or Calgon. I use plain-jane Northern double ply. Never had a clog or gunk. Never had an odor problem. My tanks will be full time for months and then they might sit for 4-6weeks. Simple works for me and simple that is also smell-free is the best.

Give a no chem approach a try. It might work for you to!

No chems here, only problem we have is when someone leaves a fantastic fan on without opening a window creating a whole house vacuum and the toilet gets flushed. Nothing strong but you can tell what just happened !!! Angel soft and our sensors are external I believe.

We have not used chemicals in a while and it has been odor free ....now that the weather is cooler. I am not sure what it might be like when we reach that 100 degree days? But we are going to continue without and see how it does. We still will clean our black tank often. We have the out side sensors on our tanks and they do not get dirty. Joe and Sherri

We use Costco brand toilet paper and it seems to work well.