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Old 01-02-2019, 01:34 PM   #1
Acaines
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Enzyme poll

Enzymes for black tank necessary or not? If so, how often?

I've seen where people recommend them and others say they never use them and have no troubles.

We've not used our black tank yet but the indicator is showing 2/3 full. I'm thinking of treating with an enzyme then getting a tank sprayer in there. I'm pretty confident the bank we bought it from made sure the tanks were empty. They did a good job of cleaning otherwise. They even winterized the water lines. I figure this is all part of cleaning a repo.
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Old 01-02-2019, 01:40 PM   #2
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Enzymes are not needed and a waste of money. The holding tanks are just like buckets were you hold the waste water until you dump it out. I do put some holding tank chemicals in the black tank to control odor if I'm staying in one place for a while. Otherwise just water and every once in a while a little dishwasher soap to slosh around while traveling.
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Old 01-02-2019, 02:29 PM   #3
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Ok... so far, enzymes are 0-1.
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Old 01-02-2019, 02:37 PM   #4
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We have RV'ed for many years. We know of no one in our winter RV park who add additives to any tank. And why would you smell it? Do you have bad seals somewhere? It vents on the rooftop, nowhere else.
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Old 01-02-2019, 02:37 PM   #5
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Dollar general fabric softener and laundry detergent and pine sol
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Old 01-02-2019, 03:43 PM   #6
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No enzymes. We do add the chemicals with deodorizers in them maybe once a month when out.....it makes DW "feel" better. Also add a big squirt of Dawn from time to time so I can watch the "bubbles" come thru the clear connector. We do use the black tank flush every time - some times shorter duration than others, and no, none of it keeps the level monitor accurate. Fortunately, we've been doing this long enough that I figure we know how full the tank is faster than the monitor.
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Old 01-02-2019, 05:30 PM   #7
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Toss in a "Camco Drop-Ins" after every tank dump. Does it work??? Do I care, no. Do I feal good, yes. Have we ever been plugged up, no. Lived in this unit about 300 days now. About $0.12/day.

The tank level indicators for all three tanks are junk.
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Old 01-02-2019, 05:42 PM   #8
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Toss in a "Camco Drop-Ins" after every tank dump. Does it work??? Do I care, no. Do I feal good, yes. Have we ever been plugged up, no. Lived in this unit about 300 days now. About $0.12/day.

The tank level indicators for all three tanks are junk.
Frank, be careful with those "self dissolving" packet things. Do you have a clear attachment on your sewer? If not, you need to get one.

I read of folks using them and thinking they might be handy I tried them....not so much. I tried using them 3 times and 3 times I had partially melted plastic "balls" come through the drain. With everything else in there I sure didn't want partially melted plastic balls to clog things up.
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Old 01-02-2019, 05:49 PM   #9
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It's not just the CAMCO drop in's. We've had several members report that they "drop in the packets" and have found them not dissolved, partially dissolved, intact and plugging (caught in) the slide valve, or gumming up the sensors. Some say they got partial "odor control" (in other words, they could smell the orange) and others say they've never had a problem with the drop in's.

If I remember correctly, the recommendation was to tear/cut the packet to be sure it does release the contents into the holding tank.

To me, if I were going to do that, I'll just buy a "liquid deodorizer" and pour a little of it into the toilet when needed or desired.
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Old 01-02-2019, 05:52 PM   #10
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Frank, be careful with those "self dissolving" packet things. Do you have a clear attachment on your sewer? If not, you need to get one.

I read of folks using them and thinking they might be handy I tried them....not so much. I tried using them 3 times and 3 times I had partially melted plastic "balls" come through the drain. With everything else in there I sure didn't want partially melted plastic balls to clog things up.
We completely dissolve them with the potty cleaning brush, cleaning the bowl at the same time. Yes, we have a clear elbow and use the tank flush with every dump. Things appear to be well broken up and no tissue clumps witch is why we continue to use them.
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Old 01-02-2019, 06:11 PM   #11
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If you are dissolving them in the bowl and using them to clean the bowl before flushing why don't you just use the packets (same stuff), put it in the bowl in water and do the same thing then flush? Seem so much simpler. (Just trying to help).
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Old 01-02-2019, 08:08 PM   #12
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Only use liquid. TST citrus, smells good day 1-3. Doesn’t smell good after that but doesn’t stink.
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Old 01-02-2019, 08:13 PM   #13
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Only use liquid. TST citrus, smells good day 1-3. Doesn’t smell good after that but doesn’t stink.

Chuck, is there a reason to only use liquid? Maybe for use in the bowl? We use other stuff for a bowl cleaner but is that your reference? I'm thinking I use either the little packets or liquid when we choose to put it down the drain; is there a problem with the granules?
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Old 01-02-2019, 08:35 PM   #14
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Last time I used packets that were given to me, they didn’t open. I know for a fact that my liquid mixes. Just personal preference I guess.
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Old 01-02-2019, 08:38 PM   #15
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[QUOTE=shov;320732]Dollar general fabric softener and laundry detergent and pine sol[/QU
I have a rv water softener connected, use either cheap dollar store laundry or dish soap, but skip the Pine Sol, to me pine scented poo smells worse than just regular poo.
For the most part any chemical into the black tank is strictly for odor control, any claiming to break down paper/solids is a sales gimmick, they are not in the tank long enough to break anything down, lots of water is much more beneficial than most of the chemicals.
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Old 01-02-2019, 08:51 PM   #16
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Last time I used packets that were given to me, they didn’t open. I know for a fact that my liquid mixes. Just personal preference I guess.

Yes, you're right. I wasn't clear. The "packets" I was talking about were the ones with the little granule that dissolve right away. The other plastic wrapped "packets" I've had never dissolved and were a problem, not a help. I think we're on the same page.
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Old 01-02-2019, 09:25 PM   #17
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So I’d have to say enzymes are 0-2. We have only used liquid Calgon and a squirt of Dawn dish soap after the black tank is emptied for the past 4 years in the camper, of course, adding back in a little water for it all to mix. No smells, no other problems.
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Old 01-03-2019, 09:13 AM   #18
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Im not a full timer but we use our outback frequently (15->20 trips a year), I use the water softener and put some of the liquid tst in the tank from time to time to keep odors down. However I dont always do it, just during long trips (longer than 5 days) and about once every month that were using the trailer (Feb-->Nov).

HOWEVER, when I put the trailer to bed in the winter I use three of the packets and put them in my black tank after filling it about half full. I also add some antifreeze to keep things slushy if things get that cold but usually dont. I think this helps keep the tank clean and the smells down once spring arrives.
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Old 01-03-2019, 10:30 AM   #19
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Enzymes are 0-9
Packets are 1-5.

Very informative.
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Old 01-03-2019, 11:34 AM   #20
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Been using this for 3 years.....never had an issue with it.


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