The Best Holding Tank Treatment?

“What additive is best for my RV holding tank?” is probably the most asked question I get, especially when I’m hydro-jet high-pressure cleaning RV holding tanks.

Searching Facebook or YouTube will result in about as many tank treatments or advice as there are RVs. recommendations are as varied as the stars in the sky, suggesting store-bought liquids, powders, or packets, and even various homemade recipes or geo methods.

When asked what to use, I always answer “water”.  Seriously, water is your best tank additive, and most RV tank problems are due to not having enough water.  When you dump your black tank and close the valve, always fill at least two toilet bowls full of water and flush it down to the tank (2 or 3 gallons) to create a water base. Similarly, for your gray tank, run your sink faucet down the drain for about 30 seconds.

Several holding tank products are actually harmful to your RV, and as an RV Technician, I’ve had to replace piping sealant, gaskets, and rubber dump valve seals deteriorated by them. Pine Sol is a leading culprit to deteriorating RV dump valve seals because it contains chemicals that can break down rubber and certain types of plastic materials…do a Google search and see for yourself!

“But then what additives/treatments are best to use?”

Firstly, RV holding tanks are just that, they hold “stuff” for a little while, then you drain it out.  Don’t confuse that with a septic tank found at most rural residences which takes months to break down toilet paper, bodily waste, and food waste into a slurry that flows out the leach lines.  RVers need to understand and maintain their holding tanks, piping, valves and valve seals so “stuff” doesn’t stick to the inside of the tank or products that cause troubles.

Secondly, which additive/treatment is best depends on the answer to this:
How long does “stuff” sit in your holding tank?

If just a few days, then don’t waste your money. Most tank treatments at WalMart or Camping World reduce some odors but do little to break down waste in that short of time. Reading the ingredient labels will show the majority are mostly fragrance and some sawdust fillers.  Most can cause problems due to chemicals and fillers that get sticky (cause sensor issues) and sink to the bottom of your holding tank and don’t flush out, even with the RVs tank flush feature.
I use a little Calgon Bath Beads (mixed in the toilet bowl so it dissolves) to help make the water soft and the walls of the tank slick. It smells good too.

If you answer more than a few days, then use 1 or 2 ounces of Just Science Probiotic RV Tank Treatment with 1/8 cup Calgon Bath Beads mixed in the water in the toilet bowl so it dissolves. This amazing and cheap product mix has no chemicals or fillers, just organics such as probiotics, yeast, and bacteria to help break down “stuff” in the tank and make it a slurry to flow easily and not get sticky or cake up, and also reduces the mineral build-ups that can coat sensors and stick to the sidewalls. It even reduces Struvite, the crystal structure (kidney stones) from bodily waste that sticks to the walls and sensors.

By the way, never leave “stuff” in your storage tanks when not using your RV. The “stuff” can harden, get moldy, or grow critters you don’t want to know about. Always dump/flush your holding tanks before storing your RV for more than a few weeks. When traveling, always put at least a few gallons of water in your holding tanks to slosh around and help clean. Pouring a bag of ice with some Dawn Dish Soap down there prior to traveling is a good idea too if you want.

RECAP:

My suggestion: After dumping your black holding tank, fill your toilet bowl with water twice and flush it down, then mix with some more water 1/8 cup Calgon Bath Beads with 1 to 2 ounces of Just Science Probiotic RV Tank Treatment and when dissolved, flush it down. (Do this similarly for your gray tanks every other time or so).

Want to pre-mix a jug? Here is a recipe chart for what jug you have. If you received one of my jugs after a tank flushing, it’s the 32 oz size:

Additionally, every 2 years or so of RV use, have your tanks professionally high-pressure cleaned with a Hydro-Jet system capable of at least 2,000 psi. by myself, or an RV Technician who has been trained to do this.
More information can be found HERE.

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