RV Tank cleaning

kands · 27-10-2007, 21:30

Hi all
I am not sure if this has been posted before, I couldn't see it anywhere though

, I want to post it for everyones attention as this is always a subject that crops up when two RVers meet

.
This is not my work but that of a Mr Charles Bruni.
The Geo Method of Tank Cleaning, at least one of our members will be interested in reading this and maybe will challenge for copyright

Hope that you find it as interesting as I did, and "when" we get an RV again I will be trying it out, so please can we have some feedback if anyone else tries it out too?
Thanks

Keith

ScotJimland · 27-10-2007, 22:52

Interesting read Keith .. but it's at odds with the advice on this site ..

Quote:

RV waste systems depend on bacteria to decompose waste, including toilet paper and anything else that's biodegradable.

http://www.phrannie.org/macerator.html

Two opposite views.. which is correct ?

kands · 27-10-2007, 23:37

I have no idea which one is correct Jim..... There seem to be many different ideas but when I read the one I posted it was the first time I had seen that idea and as it uses no real harmful chemicals I thought I would give it a go (when we finally get our RV...)
We have tried the "culture" method in Rocky but sometimes we had horrendous smells coming from the sink wastes, and usually when dumping I found that the grey tank stank more than the black??? I guess the article I posed works on the assumption that an RV black / grey tank is a holding tank and not a septic tank, and if you follow that line of thinking then it makes sense to keep the tanks "clean" instead of carting around a mobile septic tank?
I believe that you have gone for the septic tank idea, what is your experience of that system? Have you tried to clean out your tanks, and if so to what level of success?
I do not pretend to know the answer mate, I am as confused as everyone else, but after trying one method (not terribly successfully) I am willing to try the alternative approach

I will give it a go and let you know.........

Keith

ScotJimland · 28-10-2007, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by kands

I believe that you have gone for the septic tank idea, what is your experience of that system? Have you tried to clean out your tanks, and if so to what level of success?
I do not pretend to know the answer mate, I am as confused as everyone else, but after trying one method (not terribly successfully) I am willing to try the alternative approach

I will give it a go and let you know.........

Keith

Hi Keith

Now more than a year full time and I've never used any chemicals or deodorants in the tanks, there are no nasty smells (except when dumping).
After emptying the black I give it a flush with fresh water to ensure the solids are washed out..
When possible I prefer to 'free fall' dump rather than use the macerator which is good but doesn't give the tank a good woooshhh as it empties and I never empty unless it is full to the brim, doing otherwise you run the risk of solids drying out on the tank walls, not good ..

kands · 28-10-2007, 14:32

Hi Jim
Now that is interesting to hear. I always prefer to take the advice of those who have personal experience.......
I never had much issue with the black tank, I also much prefer the "free fall" method as I think it discharges much better and the fuller the better. Being weekenders I do expect to get a bit of a smell from the black tank,as it sometimes does not get dropped for several weeks, but it has always been acceptable to me ( I have dealt with worse whilst at sea

) however the grey tank is absolutely heaving. So much worse than the black.......

I will probably try the Geo method on our new RV grey tank, but continue with the same method as you with the black tank, unless it is stinky, then I will try the Geo method and see what happens then

What a wonderful Sunday lunchtime discussion

Keith

ScotJimland · 28-10-2007, 16:36

Hi Keith

I think tanks and waste pipes in constant use are less likely to give problems than those used occasionally, if you think on it, the kitchen sink at home seldom smells but after two weeks on holiday .... hmm , not very pleasant

Any news on a replacement RV .. ?

Jim

kands · 28-10-2007, 16:51

I would agree that it is the major difference between us weekenders and you guys and it certainly makes sense mate.... I will neutralise the grey from the get go...
Replacement is still the subject of tense negotiations, so don't want to tempt fate at the moment mate, but once we have won and concluded the deal we will let you all know

Keith

Bryan · 28-10-2007, 18:25

On a related note, and one mentioned in the Geo linn Keith provided, what sort of paper does everyone use? Ordinary household stuff or specialist stuff?

We use Thetford aqua-roll as we used to use it in the boat.

Bryan