Dear Dave,
I stumbled across this video [from Deb’s RV Services] regarding black tanks. It appears to be a pretty informative primer on how they operate, which I needed to see. However, part way through I realized that it is also promoting Unique RV products.
Can you tell me what you think about this product? I’ve always been a Happy Campers user, which seems to work for us. Now, I’m not sure. We thought we did our research when we picked it as our treatment. And, like everyone else, we cannot depend on our tank sensors, especially black.
So, we’re interested in your opinion regarding the science and the product in this video. —Michelle
Dear Michelle,
This past year I have researched RV Digest-It Plus, and it does look like a great product. I have not used Happy Campers but see it at almost every RV show that has a vendor row or parts display. The very thorough video has some outstanding points and demonstrations about several different products, including Happy Campers—which they did not recommend, BTW. [Editor: However, many of our readers and writers are Happy Campers users.]
I have done several videos and written articles about the use of the proper treatment that has not only aerobic bacteria but an enzyme, as well, which is the protein they discuss.
The breakdown process of sanitation
To eliminate odors and effectively treat sewage, it is important to understand the breakdown process of sanitation. Inside your stomach, bacteria starts to break down the sewage using anerobic digestion which is without air or oxygen. Once you release that sewage into the toilet and ultimately the black water tank of your rig, the anerobic bacteria continues to break down the sewage but gives off the horrible smell you are experiencing.
At this time, it is important to add a treatment that not only breaks down the solids and paper but also reduces the smell. Aerobic bacteria digest the sewage with the help of proteins and give off carbon dioxide, which is odorless. Using a black water tank treatment such as RV Digest-It Plus is the best product, as the proteins help the aerobic bacteria break down the sewage. You can find it on Amazon here.
I have talked with many RVers that have been using Pine-Sol for years and swear by it. However, most of those are people that have been RVing for a long period of time and know how to use and maintain their black water tank and drainage system. Pine-Sol is simply a disinfectant and will kill the good bacteria and mask the smell with the pine scent.
Sewage will break down in water without any treatment and flush away easily if you use enough water. However, most paper will not, and a thorough flushing and use of a black water tank flush valve helps get everything out and keep it cleaner.
Here’s the key to black tank cleaning
The key is to use a bacteria and enzyme which is a protein treatment, plus lots of water. Water not only helps break down the sewage but also creates an odor barrier if the level is above the solids. It is a good idea to flush the toilet for ten seconds to initially get the solids down and have enough water flow to cover them.
Pine-Sol was made for floor and surface cleaning, not as a treatment. Calgon is simply a water softener product. Many tank flushing companies use Pine-Sol and Calgon dumped into a black water tank to do a deep clean. They let the solution sit for about an hour, then run a “jetter” on a pressure washer up through the dump valve to backflush the tank. The Calgon softens any calcium and lime buildup, while the Pine-Sol disinfects and cleans the tank, leaving a fresh scent. Not a bad idea to do this once a year, but not as a treatment.
You might also enjoy these posts from Dave
- Does Dawn dish soap keep RV black tanks clean?
- Black tank still smells after trying EVERYTHING. Why?
- How do I get RV black tank sensors to work with correct readings?
- Does using ice cubes to unclog a black tank work?
DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
RVDT2747
After trying many treatments over the years we’ve settled on RV Digest-It. Does a very good job of breaking down paper and is easy to find. I know many swear by Happy Camper, but it didn’t seem to break down paper very well for us.
Have been using Liquified for about 2 years, happy with the results. Believe that a lot of water is always necessary.
Also using Liquified. While it and RV-Digest-it seem to be fairly equal at breaking down solids, Liquified also includes a valve lubricant in its chemistry.
The single most important thing to put in your black tank is plenty of water. That alone solves the majority of issues that people experience. We’ve never used expensive “tank treatment” products. When we first bought our RV, I read an article that recommended using a combination of baking soda, borax, and citric acid powder, all of which can be found inexpensively in grocery stores, or really cheap online. A 1-tablespoon scoop of each dropped into the toilet after dumping, rinsing, and adding at least a couple of gallons of water does the trick in our 30-gallon black tank, for pennies per treatment. We also use it in the gray tank and have never had any odor problems with either tank.
We tried A LOT of black tank treatments over 35-seasons including the much touted ‘Geo Method’. The ONLY treatment that consistently worked was ‘Happy Camper’. 👍👍👍👍👍
Liquified is the best! RV-digest it is our #2 choice.
We shared this test of various RV holding tank treatments that my friend Joshua Sheehan conducted and then interviewed the winner, Matt Foxcroft. We’ve been using his product, Liquified, exclusively in our travel trailer since we bought it new in December and it’s been terrific. Yes, our black tank shows empty when we’ve dumped and rinsed it with the built-in tank rinse feature.
Hi Dave,
Regarding the comment in your post, I’ve always been a Happy Camper user, which seems to work for us. Now, I’m not sure.
Disclaimer: I work for Happy Campers, and I’ve seen this come up a lot due to the “super liquefaction” impressive rapid breakdown of proteins. We have just published a science backed article on this topic and the impressive marketing influence super liquefaction has had on rvers. I think this article would be helpful for your readers, it can be found here;
https://www.happycampers.store/blog/super-liquefaction-enzyme-tank-treatments-marketing-hype-and-real-waste-science/
Since you’ve never tried Happy Campers, I’d love to send you a free sample to test.
Great information Chris. My RV is my ‘vacationing home’. I now have made an informed decision based on my outcomes (& lack of odors) & the research. I’ve been using Happy Camper for 7 years & will continue to do so in the future. Thanks.