Do you put additives in your black water holding tank? Many RVers do, and many RVers don’t. Which side are you on?
In case you’re wondering why you’d put additives in your black tank (or, on the other hand, why you wouldn’t), check out all these articles we’ve published over the years about black tanks.
After you’re done checking out the articles above, vote in our poll below here and tell us if you do, or don’t, put additives in. If the poll takes a moment to load, please be patient. Thanks!
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Cap full of TankTechsRX natural probiotics plus 1-2 gallons water after dumping and spraying the black tank results in no odor and tank level sensor accuracy. No harsh, smelly chemical deodorizer needed.
Yes, Happy Camper. After each dumping and flushing, I add 2 full toilet bowls full of water plus holding tank treatment.
Yes Happy Camper and Digestit. Also dawn and a cap of calagon
Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment every time we empty tanks. Works.
Happy Campers
We always add one ‘helping’ of whatever black tank chemical we’re using when traveling normally (moving every week or so), but right now we’re motionless for about six months so we add a double dose of the stuff. When we dump, we use the rinse thing several times to get clean (or as clean as you can get when the rig is motionless). Then we add 3-4 gallons of water.
Absolutely do insert additives. Calgon and dawn as well as a digester product. Plenty of water added after each dump and flush procedure
15 years full-time and have only used water. Once in a blue moon, we have used rid-x when we will be away from the motorhome for a week or more. No problems so far.
Hi, Dave. Hey, there’s a blue moon on Halloween this year. Better get your Rid-X out. 😆 Take care. —Diane at RVtravel.com
I’ve been using BIZ Laundry Detergent for years. Claims to have enzymes that eat up the stains, and well you get the picture. Main thing is it works!
No odor issues and no sticking valves. I use it in both black & grey tanks.
Good dose of Rid-X. Controls the odors, digest everything to liquid, helps keep the sensors clear. Also after every dump I use the black water rinse, and when driving add a couple gallons to swash around and soon after setting up at our next stop use the black tank rinse and dump again to give the tank a deep cleaning. Never have any issues.
If moving I use nothing. If in a park for a week or longer,Rid-x. I trust the bacteria to work. Never had a problem but like they say” an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Rid-X RV and Happy Campers are my go-to tank treatments that I like to use.
I take an empty one-gallon jug to which I mix a cup of Calgon bath beads and 32 oz of PineSol. Careful. Do this slowly as you will get a lot of fizzling foam. Once this slows down, finishing filling the jug with with water, near the top. With your new brew, add about a cup to your toilet and flush. I will usually add a cup, every other dumping and thorough rinsing. I will also use a Bio tab (greenie), supposedly organic. Available from Walmart. Take the time to do a rinse each time you empty.
Be aware that Pine Sol is a petroleum based product and is detrimental to rubber and plastic gaskets/seals. Better to use a pine scented product like Pine Power…you will get the same results in tank cleaning.
You need to define “additives” as either commercial rv tank additives or non rv tank additives. For instance, I only use a cup of liquid laundry detergent and a cap full of Calgon water softener in both my black and gray tanks along with about 5 gallons of clean water whenever i travel. At the next destination, I drain and add about another 5 gallons to both tanks. I repeat this procedure every time we travel. So…. I answered “NO” as i don’t ever use any commercial rv tank additive of any type.
Happy Campers!
A copious amount of Campa Chem does my black tank well. It also helps my gray tank.
I use Tank Tech, in the black tank and Happy Kamper in the grey tank. Every time.
No commercial treatment for years. Only use Costco drop-in laundry detergent in black and gray tank. If we do get any oder will add pinesol. I answered no to survey.
I use the natural addatives made by unique. Ive used both the drop ins as well as the liquid. Worst thing is during the summer heat…theres still ordors when doing a full flush. If i maintain a half full bowl and do a half flush…no odors. I live FT in a stationary location and find this product to be very effective. To clean the bowl, shower and the sinks, i use simple green…as it doesn’t interfere with the natural enzymes in the unique products.
Zaal’s Noflex Digester
I use Dawn dish soap,I had faulty level sensor’s,And now they are working fine😎
Every time I use the commode I put bacteria in it I don’t feel that it’s necessary to put artificial bacteria in the commode to eat up the waist
I don’t leave the Blackwater gate open only open it to dump
In the last three years I have had no problems