A buildup of solids in an RV sewer tank is a bad thing. So getting rid
of the yucky mess should it occur is a frequent topic of discussion
among RVers. Most of us have heard that putting ice cubes down the
toilet will do the job. The idea is the hard cubes will bounce around
when the RV is moving, banging all that nasty buildup away. So does it
work? James of the Fit RV ( http://fitrv.com ) wanted to find out. See
the results in this very interesting and enlightening video.
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The reason you put ice in a black tank is to clean the level probes, not to clean the bottom of the tank.
ReplyDeleteNumber 1 (so to speak), the tank wasn't filled at least half-way before putting in the ice so that it couldn't "scrub" where needed.
ReplyDeleteNumber 2 (so to speak), the "outlet" pipe was sitting higher than the bottom surface.
Number 3, for the first time in my RV experience, I did use the ice treatment (only about three pounds) in my half-full black tank whose sensors were showing 2/3 full when empty for at least two years.I did that within the last couple of months with perfect results. Sensor is back to "empty" when it should be. I should have done it long ago.
Kudos for the effort and dispelling the myth.
ReplyDeleteWhen using ice cubes in a black tank they always recommend filling the tank half full also, not just ice. I agree with the first poster is that it is mostly for the sides and sensors and has very little effect for the tank bottom. The best way to clean a tank bottom and sides is to use Extreme Happy Campers Tank Cleaner.
ReplyDeleteI agree, soaking does a better job, even if the coach remains stationary. I put about 2 Tblsp of Simple Green in each tank, black & gray, and fill them with water. Let it sit for a couple of weeks, dump and flush. Not only cleans the bottom of the tank but also the level probes on the sides of the tanks.
ReplyDeleteTo clean probes one needs to fill the tank with ice and that would be counter productive because it would hardly move around.
ReplyDeleteI use Palmolive eco liquid diswashing detergent after each dump. Half a jug. Plus 5 gallons of water with a cup of bleach mixed in.
ReplyDeleteMine came to me with crud stuck on the sensors. It cannot be removed unless I pay for a deep clean.
I also full time RV and do not have ability to move mine around.
I've learned how to tell when it's almost full and usually dump every 3 or 4 days. At most a week.
If anyone has a suggestion that is an easy and inexpensive way to clean already covered with solid waste probes, I'm all ears.
Otherwise I will stick to what works for me.