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Topic: Question Snowbirds - Another use for Vinegar (Read 9 times) previous topic - next topic
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Question Snowbirds - Another use for Vinegar
Yahoo Message Number: 151442
Jim:  Great idea with the vinegar/water in the black tank. We use cheap dish detergent and occasionally some borax, aka the geo system, in the black tank and heat the RV in the winter because we are nearby and can. If not, we like your idea of draining the system and treating only the drains. Terry in Woodburn, OR  27RB
Terry Apple
2013 RB 27 Baby Blue Bentley
Re: Question Snowbirds - Another use for Vinegar
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 151445
Using bleach in the black and grey tank is not only unnecessary, but detrimental; bleach kills all the "good bugs" and contributes to deterioration of seals and fittings.

RVers come up with all kinds of black tank homebrews and concoctions, many of which are not only ineffective, but often damaging. Use plenty of water when flushing, dump when the tanks are at least 2/3 full, flush the black and grey tanks after dumping, and, if one has to use any "tank additive" at all, use only a bacteria/enzyme product like Pure Power. (Ditch the formaldehyde c--p; who wants preserved poop!?)

Sure, flushing/rinsing your waste tanks with Dawn, Simple Green, Calgon, or another relatively "benign" product, doesn't harm anything, but bleach does!

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
 
Re: Question Snowbirds - Another use for Vinegar
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 151452
While soap and water softener are harmless to the plumbing, concentrated chorine beach isn't good for the plastic fittings. Much less do I see a need to disinfect the holding tanks with bleach, it's not like you are drinking out of them. We don't sanitize our sewers at home.
Fresh water systems are a whole different subject.

The idea is to keep the tanks free of build up that reduces capacity.  To do that, dumping full tanks, along with frequent flushing is the first line of defense, get most of it out the first time.
Occasionally, when the tanks are full and the nearest dump is miles away, I will dump a half cup of dishwashing or laundry soap into each tank and let it agitate, while driving, helping to break down the scum build up.

Once a year, in the heat of summer, when the rig is going to sit for a couple weeks,  the flushed tanks are filled with fresh water and then a packet or cup of septic tank treatment is added to them, half to each tank.
Then the enzymes are left to 'cook' for a week or more, in the heat, eating whatever is left inside the tanks.  When flushed, the insides are spotless.
This is a good way to help keep the tank level sensors working.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze