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Old 02-08-2018, 05:15 PM   #1
sparky01
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Holding Tank Chemicals

Unfortunately we only get to use our RV 2-3 times a year whereas we dry camp for about a week at a time. Question, since we don't camp for more than a week do I still need to add chemicals to my holding tank?
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Old 02-08-2018, 05:21 PM   #2
JRTJH
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With the short time that waste is in the tank (for most of us) chemicals are used more to deodorize the holding tank than to aid in breakdown of contents. While there's some breakdown that occurs, there's not really any need to use chemicals unless you notice an unpleasant odor. It won't damage your tank to not use them and it won't hurt to use them even if you have no odor. It's more a personal choice than a necessity.

We do add a cup of cheap olive oil to our tank every year during winterizing as a lubricant for the seals in the dump valves. Other's use commercial seal lubricants others don't add anything. Again, that's a personal choice each of us makes without any "necessary requirement".....
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Old 02-08-2018, 05:25 PM   #3
sparky01
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Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
With the short time that waste is in the tank (for most of us) chemicals are used more to deodorize the holding tank than to aid in breakdown of contents. While there's some breakdown that occurs, there's not really any need to use chemicals unless you notice an unpleasant odor. It won't damage your tank to not use them and it won't hurt to use them even if you have no odor. It's more a personal choice than a necessity.

We do add a cup of cheap olive oil to our tank every year during winterizing as a lubricant for the seals in the dump valves. Other's use commercial seal lubricants others don't add anything. Again, that's a personal choice each of us makes without any "necessary requirement".....
Do add water to the olive oil?
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Old 02-08-2018, 05:31 PM   #4
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Nope. I pour the olive oil down the toilet after all the tanks are empty. It coats part of the bottom of the tank and flows to the rubber seals where it sits all winter. I do the same with the two gray tanks by removing the P trap and pouring the oil down the "straight pipe into the tank"... Then I reconnect the P traps and pour enough antifreeze into them to make a liquid seal so odors won't flow back up into the trailer.
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Old 02-08-2018, 06:00 PM   #5
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wouldn't the oil float to the top
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Old 02-08-2018, 06:09 PM   #6
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Only chemicals I use is rv antifreeze in the winter. A gallon in black and gray tanks keeps the seals wet and it is ready to roll for winter camping. Use deletes the antifreeze so the protection disintegrates but not enough to freeze over a weekend in the teens.
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Old 02-08-2018, 06:22 PM   #7
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I use chemicals in the black tank primarily for deodorizing. We dump on the 4th day always unless we are boondocking (rarely). When it's hot or with other circumstances that I have finally decided I don't understand, you can get some smell so I just put the deodorizer in there because. Galley tank is the same. After 3-4 days you can get some smell if you're not careful in heat; we just put the stuff in there to prevent any unwanted "something"; and yes, the tanks are cleaned and "sanitized" regularly.
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Old 02-08-2018, 06:49 PM   #8
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wouldn't the oil float to the top
Yup, probably would IF there was anything in the tanks. I ALWAYS store my trailer for the winter with EMPTY tanks, don't you?
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Old 02-08-2018, 07:36 PM   #9
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oil would float to top with antifreeze
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Old 02-08-2018, 09:18 PM   #10
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oil would float to top with antifreeze
SHEESE GUY !!!! Empty tanks don't have antifreeze in them either !!!!
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Old 02-09-2018, 07:12 AM   #11
ctbruce
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Are these tanks EMPTY, or just empty? What do you do about water vapor in the air in the tank? I usually add Damp Rid to mine to keep the air dry as a bone.

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Old 02-09-2018, 07:54 AM   #12
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Up here in the Tundra the air is so dry that we just leave the vent stack open to the atmosphere and it dehydrates the tank air down to "dry 'nuff"... With the little water left in the tank air, it raises the level of the olive oil "just right" so it works better.... With rising barometric pressure, it actually "pushes the oil into the seal" to help permeate the rubber and keep it supple...

That little moisture also takes the edge off the vinegar so the salad dressing isn't quite as tart.... Now, how much salt and which spices to add..... That's a topic for another thread....

Maybe "Holding Tank Salad Recipes" ???

Yes, cabin fever is hell !!!!! Time to dig the Cougar out and get ready to head south
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Old 02-12-2018, 09:51 AM   #13
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LOL! I don’t mind a little edge on the vinegar...


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