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KayakkrazyUP
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Joined: 01 May 2012
Location: Upper Peninsula
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Posts: 37
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Topic: Sewage treatment Posted: 16 Jun 2012 at 2:58pm |
Any opinions/advice on liquid Thetford (or otherwise)sewage tank treatment as opposed to tablets, or the packets of chemical I just purchased?
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Posted: 16 Jun 2012 at 4:52pm |
I used to use the blue formaldehyde liquid and it worked well. However, there is a certain amount of controversy regarding how "green" the stuff is. I've heard yes and no. I recently finished off a case of 8 bottles of an eco-friendly stuff. It was not very good about controlling odors - 2 to 4 days. I just purchased a case of the orange liquid and will see how it goes. I have not tried the "drop in" packets. All - I usually purchase at Walmart.
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TerryM
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Location: Saint Augustine
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Posts: 1950
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Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 3:27am |
Formaldehyde is used as a preservative. Why preserve that stuff. I have ran into campgrounds that have their own septic tank and they say not to use that stuff. It keeps the sewage from from braking down in the septic tank.
Terry
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RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565
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Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 5:18am |
That is one of the reasons I decided to try something else....for the reason you state. I have a septic tank and I wouldn't want to dump embalming fluid in it!  I've often wondered if I could just get a quart jar and mix up some water and baking soda and get good results. Seems I've heard baking soda is a natural cleaner & deodorizer. 
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2Peas-n-Rpod
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Joined: 05 Jun 2011
Location: Nampa, ID
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Posted: 17 Jun 2012 at 11:07am |
We have gone to the "green" stuff, and it seems to do a fine job, as long as it's not very hot (like high 90's or above for a week or 2). But if you're like most of us, you are dumping the black tank every 2 or 3 days while you're on the road anyway, so I don't see any need for some super duty tank treatment that lasts for weeks on end. Just try a few different brands and see what works best for you - besides, it gives you an excuse to go camping under the guise of "scientific research"
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2011 R-Pod 182G Hood River Edition
"Ribbitt" Pod (now sold)
2000 Ford F150 5.4L V8 TV
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TerryM
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Location: Saint Augustine
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Posts: 1950
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Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 3:53am |
Scientific research works for me! I usually put about 5 or 6 very full toilet bowls of water into the black take after I empty it. Then drain that out. Fill the bowl up to the top, add the blue stuff and flush.
Terry
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RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4
Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp
Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
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Posts: 6128
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Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 7:47am |
We use the drop ins. Been happy.
Most of our trips are under 4 days, and we do use the campground facilities when convenient/nice, so often we may not dump every trip because we are not full. We dumped this weekend, and that was the first dump of the year. 4th trip.
My dad has had a home dump station since about '75, back before the green question came up.. I recently asked him if it ever bothered his septic, either chemical or just the volume of dumping in +60 gallons at once, and he said no.. but he also said that since the non formaldehyde stuff came out, it's all he has used. I am getting ready to add a dump station here at our house, and was a bit worried, but all of the info I have been able to find says no problem.
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp
Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062
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Posted: 18 Jun 2012 at 12:15pm |
Here's a thread where we discussed using water softener. Supposedly it keeps anything from sticking to the walls of the black tank so it rinses cleaner and therefore doesn't smell. I've been trying this but we've still been using other chemicals so I can't say if it works as a stand-alone solution.
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