Reprint from Today's RVs with permission (OP Products)

August , 2004

HOLDING TANKOLOGY

Making Sense of Scents and Cents

The “RV Lifestyle” conjures up many images, but most would agree that it wouldn't be a lifestyle were it not for the convenience factor that accompanies the life in a moving home. Perhaps nowhere is that more so than in the bathroom or kitchen of just about any recreational vehicle. We are able to take sinks, toilets, and showers for granted simply because they are connected to the oft ignored, but never forgotten, holding tank. Few will argue that the black and grey water tanks are two of the most important components of any RV, and none will dispute that their trouble-free operation adds immensely to the enjoyment of the “RV Lifestyle”. With that in mind, it makes sense to be somewhat familiar with the contribution holding tank additives make in maintaining RV holding tanks in a trouble-free condition.

There are several problems commonly associated with holding tanks, but the No. 1 problem most RV'ers must contend with is unpleasant odors. Other problems include sludge accumulation, waste build-up, tissue blockage, and level gauge malfunction. As long as the holding tanks continue to function somewhat normally, odor control will remain the primary objective of any treatment method. Of the different treatment methods in use today, holding tank additives continue to be, by far, the most popular treatment method. As popular additives may be, they remain a bit of a mystery to most RV'ers, and this is mainly because it is so hard to differentiate between the available products.

All of the commonly found additives fall into 4 general categories: Chemical Treatment, Nutrient Enhancement, Enzymatic Treatment, & Bacteriological Treatment. These different treatment methods are briefly summarized in the table below:

The table conveys a bias towards bacteriological treatments, but not without reason. Mother Nature has been dealing with large quantities of waste for billions of years, and it appears she has done a pretty good job of keeping things tidy, if the air we breathe and the ground we walk on are any indication (not counting the manmade pollutants, of course). In the natural world, bacteria are the means by which all organic matter is broken down and returned to its natural state in a cycle that is never ending. This natural process wasn't lost on industry, either. Microbes are used everyday in countless industrial processes where chemicals fail to achieve the desired result, with sewage treatment being a relevant example that closely mimics conditions in a holding tank. One of the distinct advantages of using a bacteriological holding tank treatment is that they work very well in both the grey and black water tanks. In fact, there is no need to buy a grey water treatment product. Nor is there a need to separately purchase a level gauge cleaner, a tissue digester, or a valve lubricant. A good bacteriological product should be all that is needed to properly care for and maintain any holding tank that hasn't suffered too much abuse over the years. Simply put, bacteria are the only way to safely and effectively break down waste and eliminate odors.

Although price isn't always the decisive factor in a buying decision, the accompanying chart shows how much variation there can be in the true cost of maintaining a holding tank. The figures in the chart are based on the lowest available non-sale price for a particular product. It is important to remember here that an inexpensively priced product may have a relatively high cost per treatment, depending on the size of the recommended dosage. The chart is not meant to be all-inclusive as much as it is meant to be representative of the brands most commonly found on the shelves of most stores.

Last Updated Thursday, December 07 2006 @ 12:59 PM Pacific