Holding Tank Chemicals

[richardcoxid]

Hi, fellow TDR RV’rs



Recently we stayed at a RV park that handed the following notice to every camper:



“We operate on the septic Tank System, so save yourself some money and help make our septic system stay in good working order. Try this:



Toilet and Holding tank freshener

1 Cup Borateem

½ Cup Pinesol

3 tblsp. Ammonia



Put into an empty gallon container and fill with hot water. Use 2 cups everytime you empty your holding tanks. This works just as well as the commercial tank fresheners and only costs pennies. ”



Has anybody tried this? Does it work as well as they say? Is the Borateem/Pinesol/Ammonia detrimental to the holding tank or valves? Do the holding tank level probes stay clean? Are there any other “home brew recipes” that you know of? Do they work? Etc.



IMHO- With the exception of the Formaldehyde (bad for the environment) based holding tank chemicals I think that most of the others are over rated in their effectiveness. I don’t mind the $5-7/qt. price as much as they cost too much for something that doesn’t work as good as claimed

 

[clem]

There are many home brews out there, but one thing for sure Ammonia is no good for the valve seal. We have been RV'ers sence 1965 ,have used alot of the stuff out there they all work till the temps get up in the 90's then all bets are off

 

[Fireman]

We have a few members who use fertalizer. No kidding! I'm no biologist, but it has something to do with feeding the bacteria that breaks down the waste. Maybe one of them will see this and chime in with a better explanation.



Fireman

 

[Casey Balvert]

Try using urea fertilizer. When you buy it, just to be safe test it by put a quarter cup into a mason jar with water to insure that it dissolves completely. It it doesn't contain insoluble contaminents add a half cup of the granules for every 40 gallons of holding tank capacity and replenish it once a week during warm weather. This is the stuff Odorloss is made of. I have been using it for two years now. No formaldahyde. The bacteria use the nitrogen as they break down waste producing nitrogen gas which has no odor. Works for me anyway.



Casey

 

[Fireman]

See, wad I tell ya?



The mans a geniou..... geneu... ... . jeane... ..... awwww he's purdy smart aint he?



Fireman

 

[Forrest]

Casey,





I just ck'd out urea fertilizer ... powerful stuff ... 46-0-0.



Do you think Sulfate of Amonia, 21 0 0, would work in 2x quantity?





thanks

 

[Casey Balvert]

And it does a nice job greening up the lawn too. Not sure if the Sulphate of Ammonia would work as well. I do know that this stuff works really good. And my wife has a better nose than my dog does.



Casey

 

[Hummin Cummins]

Urea

Also the stuff used in Ice Melter. Along with white potash. Thats why it wont hurt your grass.



(former pesticide/fertilizer applicator/well contaminator)