RV Holding Tank Sensor Fail! Power Washing Black & Gray Tanks & Struvite Removal.
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- Опубліковано 13 лют 2021
- RV tank sensors are a straightforward way to know when to empty your tanks. However, many people don't even realize they need to keep their sensors clean. Even if you do, you might not know how to do the job. Fortunately, it’s easier than you might think, and regular maintenance will keep your RV tank sensors working better for longer.
You've probably never heard of "Struvite" which is a mineral that builds up in waste tanks. Once that accumulates in your RV holding tanks, it might be time for an RV COLONOSCOPY!💩
Thanks so much to Mike Roe of HYDRO CLEAN AZ for the awesome cleaning job. Next time you're in the Lake Havasu City AZ area, Mike can power wash your RV holding tanks, too.
hydrocleanaz.com
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Peter Knize & John Sullivan host The RVgeeks channel on UA-cam, and co-host and co-executive produce The RVers TV show on The Discovery Channel, PBS, iTunes and many other outlets. Full-Time RVers since April, 2003, they share DIY RV maintenance, repair, travel, upgrade and operational tips & tricks they've learned in nearly 2 decades on the road.
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We're handy RVers, not professional technicians. We're happy with the techniques and products we use, but be sure to confirm that all methods and materials you use are compatible with your equipment and abilities. Regardless of what we recommend, consult a professional if you're unsure about working on your RV. Any task you perform or product you purchase based on any information we provide is strictly at your own risk.
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You've probably never heard of struvite, but once it builds up in your black or gray tank, your RV tank sensors might stop working, making it time for an RV COLONOSCOPY!💩 Watch the video, and check out our blog post for more details about keeping your RV holding tank sensors working properly. thervgeeks.com/clean-your-rv-tank-sensors/
Hi RVgeeks!
I have been trying to contact Mike all summer through his website email and phone even leaving voicemails. Haven’t heard a word! Is Hyrdoclean of Arizona no longer in business? Is there another way that I might get in contact? Thank you!
@@aubrysessions6244 Hi Aubry. We haven’t been in touch with Mike since he cleaned our tanks, so we don’t know what’s up. We’ll try to get ahold of him and let you know if we’re successful. We hope he’s okay and still around.
@@RVgeeks I hope so as well!
Thanks for the additional help.
@@aubrysessions6244 Hi Aubry! We emailed Mike yesterday at service@hydrocleanaz.com and he wrote back this morning. He’s definitely still working and available and asked that you please call or email him again. Your email must have gotten marked as spam or something, as he’s happy to help and said he didn’t see your note. Or try his phone at 928-331-0033. Please let us know how you make out!
Would using a better pre filter when filling up and hooking up long term lessen the amount of minerals that cause this tank plaque?
We just had this done today by Mike Roe and were extremely pleased with the service and with Mike. He is thorough and will give you great tips for keeping your tanks cleaned. We have two black tanks on our Class A Motorhome and they were both reading Full all the time, including just after dumping. They now read Empty when dumped. We also had our gray tank cleaned and Mike discovered a rather large tree frog (deceased) in our tank. Unbelievable! We're truly happy campers now and will certainly use this service again as we travel full-time.
That’s great to hear! Mike is a super guy.
Guys, you are the only UA-cam channel that would even approach this topic. Thanks.
We're not sure how to take that, Mark! 😂
Seriously, thanks for watching!
I've been rving for years and watched hundreds of videos and never heard of struvite. Great job of keeping us informed.
Glad to help, Doug!
You made yourself show it, I made myself watch it. Oh my. Oddly enough this was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen on the subject. After watching James, of Fit RV, do his experiment some months back, I convinced myself that there was nothing to do but get a composting toilet, something I don’t relish. Now I know if clean/maintain my tanks as my favorite Geeks do, AND I have the pros come in periodically, I can believe that the whole messy business is taken care of. Whew. Thanks Guys.
After watching this video, I made a point of contacting Mike with Hydro Clean. My travels were taking me through the Lake Havasu area and I wanted to use his service to get my 22 year old tanks as clean as possible as I plan on keeping this motorhome for a while. We were able to connect through emails and a phone call or two, and I reserved a spot in one of the campgrounds that allow his service (NOT available in the beautiful state campground right on the lake). My working career was in HVAC servicing, and I appreciate and recognize good service myself. Mike provided that service level, got my black tank sensors working again, and I felt my money was well spent. I had already previously used the most aggressive tank cleaning chemicals available, but was not able to get my sensors to respond. He cannot work miracles, but I believe that his equipment and knowledge can achieve the best results. Thanks for this video and the tip on a good service provider.
Great to hear, Jeff!
We are about to clean our tanks before winterization. This is definitely an option. Thanks for the video!
I don't even know why I'm watching this i don't even own a rv but its very interesting! Great job!
What a great comment! 😂 If you ever own an RV, you'll be fully prepared to deal with struvite! Thanks for watching!
Change Lanes just showed a video cleaning the inside pipe of their toilet. It had this stuff on it. Thanks for the heads up and another black tank education video.
Great video with great information! Thank you, I'll definitely remember to get our tanks looked at in a couple years since we just bought ours and started full-time.
I always enjoy getting a notification about a new video from you guys. Keep up the fantastic content! Looking forward to more videos!
Thank you! Stay tuned!
That's amazing as well as a little gross. I feel like we've shared something special, bonded and I'm a little closer to you guys now......haha. Great video and very informative as always. Kind of like an RV enema! Well....these things are expected as we and our RV's age. Take care and love you guys!
You're not wrong, Terry! LOL!
Wow! Impressive! Thank you for the video. And I’ve never heard of struvite but now I know. Thanks again 🤓
Thanks for the struvite lesson. I've always cleaned my tanks very well too but have still seen some of that stuff come out especially when the tank was dry. Glad it wasn't caked on you-know-what. 👍
Thanks Brian!
Get video for Valentine's Day. Thanks for the great information.
Thanks Danielle! We were worried that it might be a crappy topic for such a lovely day! 😂
Great timing for this video ! Thank you!
I've done something different. I switched the stock tank flush system with a Tornado® flushing system. It had a spinner on the end that sprays the sidewalls as well. So far it has worked well.
After reading and seeing thousands of bits of content on RV maintenance...here's something I've never seen! Thanks for the useful info!
Glad it was helpful, Joseph!
Hi. Just wanted to say I'm a long time subscriber and have received several really helpful tips and ideas from your videos. I don't know why you folks don't have more subscribers - you deserve them IMHO (in my humble opinion). You are the only other folks I know of that jet their tanks. After wasting money on special sensors, special flushes, etc. I do it twice a year and highly recommend it.
Thanks so much!
thanks for this video. I've never heard of struvite before.
Thank you for the information on this issue.
Loved the thumbnail for this segment! Ha ha! And the borescope before and after tell the story well. HydroClean to the rescue for sure! Stay safe out there!
Glad you enjoyed it!
We are very happy campers now. We seen this RVgeeks video and called Mike Roe at Hydro Clean. He fixed our plugged up black tank and our gray tank was way dirtier than the video. Mike was very informative and well worth the investment. Highly recommended if you are in the Arizona area.
Thank you for that but of information and your blog of alternative/preventing options. I tried the Borax, Dawn and a third component can’t thing if it, the mixture never mixed well and the borax sat at the bottom of the container and hardened, will not try that again. I will try the dishwasher treatment and then eventually have them deep cleaned, again than you for your informative post and video.
Mike is the bravest guy!!
Excellent video!! Thank you for the information. Safe travels.
Thanks for the kind words, Steve.
Thank you for this video! I am having this issue. 2019 Jayco NP
Great video. I live about 2 hrs from where Mike is. Will be heading to Havasu to see him soon.
Awesome!
This is a snippet (see quotes) from wikipedia concerning Struvite in waste water treatment plants. Most Rvers who either use a soft water system or live where the mineral content of the tap water is low, will likely never experience an issue with Struvite as it needs calcium,ammonia and other minerals to form.
"Wastewater treatment:
Struvite can be a problem in sewage and waste water treatment, particularly after anaerobic digesters release ammonium and phosphate from waste material. Struvite can form a scale on lines and belts, in centrifuges and pumps, clog system pipes and other equipment including the anaerobic digester itself. Struvite, also referred to as MAP, forms when there is a mole to mole to mole ratio (1:1:1) of magnesium, ammonia and phosphate in the wastewater. The magnesium can be found in soil, seawater as well as drinking water. Ammonia is broken down from the urea in wastewater, and phosphate, which is found through food, soaps and detergents. These elements in place, struvite is more likely to form in a high pH environment, where there is higher conductivity, lower temperatures, and higher concentrations of magnesium, ammonia and phosphate. Recovery of phosphorus from wastestreams as struvite and recycling those nutrients into agriculture as fertilizer appears promising, particularly in agricultural manure and municipal waste water treatment plants.
Having struvite scale in a wastewater treatment system can lead to great inefficiency within the plant or operation due to clogging of the pipes, pumps and equipment. There have been a few options to solve this issue, including replacing the pipes, or using a hydro-jetter or a mechanical grinder to clear them. But many lines can be underground and either of these options implies considerable downtime and labor. Chemical cleaning is now predominately used to clear systems of struvite. Chemical cleaning products have been developed to remove and prevent struvite with minimal downtime. Even a chemical-free, electric method of removing and preventing struvite has been developed and tested successfully at wastewater treatment plants in the USA. The electronic sine wave it produces is sent through the water in the pipe and is therefore effective on underground piping as well."
Thanks for the detailed info, Ben!
Wow! Simply amazing! I know what is on our list for another project! :)
Alrighty then! Good video and thanks for heads up. On the list.
I have been seeing those sheets coming out of my black tank when I run the flush on my 2000 Monaco Dynasty. I guess I need to flush more.
Wow! We are due for another cleaning! :)
Thanks for the video....I'm sure our Monaco will need a treatment someday soon. We're either living 100% on our sailing yacht or diesel pusher and we have definitely had struvite build up in our marine holding tank and associated toilet plumbing. Struvite can even cause things like y-valves to jamb up and break when you try to move them. When things were really a mess I've used a product called Sew Clean, which is likely just an acid, that dissolves the mineral buildup with just one treatment. It may work well on RV tanks as a DIY solution instead of internal pressure washing. Unlike an RV, on a boat you don't have a nice 4" drain that can be used to perform the "colonoscopy pressure wash" so chemical treatment is the only effective way. We find an occasional dose of muraiatic acid down the head keeps the boat pipes clean but I'd make sure your RV parts are only plastic and rinse thoroughly after treatment.
Thanks so much for all the info Tony! Will have to take a look into Sew Clean!
I've been watching you guys for years. Great videos, will produced with fantastic insight and information. Seeing the way you take take of your rig, EVERYONE has a Struvite problem. You guys are meticulous with your maintenance and your RV shows it.
Obviously the Struvite has nothing to do with you or what you're doing.
Keep up the great videos, fellas! Thank you.
Thanks, Russell!
Great video! Very informative and nice to know. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the feedback, MK.
I noted that Mike was well protected. 2 gloves, layered clothing...I would've worn a full chem suit! Thanks for the eye (greatfully not mouth) opener!
Wow, I had never heard of Struvite and had been RVing for years. OCD TRIGGERED!!! 😂Thanks guys! Off to clean!!
LOL! We hear you, RideMalibu! We'll never think of our tanks quite the same again! 😉
Probably worth noting...
Arizona and many Midwest state have VERY high minerals in there water. Other places have next to zero minerals in there water. Example, Atlanta Georgia, water is commonly 30 TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) where Arizona water is about 3000 TDS. So not likely you'll ever see Struvite in some areas.
We saw some struvite coming out from our black tank and didn’t know what it was, Thank for the video, my husband may managed to do this otherwise we will look for a professional, that would be my preference but my husband said he can do it.
Now I'm wondering what mine looks like inside and I too clean the "crap" out of it everytime. Great job guys.
Thanks, Nancy!
Great info. Thanks. Was wondering if your tank sensors worked more accurately after the cleaning?
100%! They're like new! Sorry I forgot to mention that in the video!
Mea Culpa means the opposite of "not our fault" lol. Great video!
Very informative video. Struvite is added to my vocabulary. You tank flush reminds me of the colonoscopy prep more than the colonoscopy. The prep is worse!
That’s it! 😂
i really wasn't digusted at all!!!! nice you got it done right!!! awesome video
Thanks, Cody!
@@RVgeeks how much service costs?
A bit over $200 covered both tanks. Not bad to spend that once every few years to keep our tanks healthy and sensors working properly.
Great information
So very interesting and a great video! I think our rv needs a colonoscopy now too!
Thanks! At least with a composting toilet, you only need half the “treatment“! 😂
Had this problem a few years ago while in Arizona. Had a guy come out to power wash and had a ton of struvite come out. He told us to use his product Tanktech rx and it would eliminate the struvite. We have been using it for years now, and havnt had any more clogs. I probably still need to have my tanks power washed again, as it has been a few years. Tankteck rx if available online at amazon. or at larger rv supply stores.
great info. thanks.
Mike has him a struvite collection going on there!🤔
We have a 2020 and the black tank has a built in pressure washer , so we don’t have much problems with that. But the gray tank on the other hand , absolutely horrendous. We are full timers and for anyone saying gray is just soap and water is highly uninformed. Our gray tank wouldn’t drain no no matter what. We thought we just had a clog and I would snake the drain. Then the water would run through and be clear. Then a month later the same problem. I finally waited till it drained completely over 48 hrs. Closes the tank and poured 5 gallons of boiling water down and let it sit. Then I got the snake and went in from the exit , I twisted and jabbed the tank so hard and oh my goodness I thought I was gonna pass out after seeing what was in The tank. I managed to get it clean again after hours and hours of the same process (was determined once I saw what was coming out) so so so so much struvite was coming out , it looks like leaves. I was absolutely disgusted and decided I needed a routine for the tanks. I am so grateful nothing worse happened. Thank you for this video , now I know a better method of removing struvite without having to beat my tank to death with a 25ft snake and boiling water lol
You should be very proud that in 16 years your water was only running light brown. !! Thank you so much !!! 🌷
And your RV isn't even that old. I hope you filmed or at least have photos of what came out.
@@lauravictorious4670 Yes, we have photos and videos. But with 3 years of full time use with a family of 4 , wear and tear significantly increases. Luckily it was a learning process to know what to do for preventative maintenance! 🌷
@@samanthagreen3125 goes to show how quickly the struvite can build up. I'm heading towards full time RV life.
@@lauravictorious4670 it def builds up quickly. But as long as you have a good cleaning routine and use plenty of water in your tanks you should be fine 👍🏻
Great info. I think I'm going to need this done too. Did he suggest a tank treatment product to use?
He didn’t, but we’ve heard positive things about a product called TankTechsRX
What a gratifying result! You can easily tell Mike is a fastidious professional. Loved the subtitles and “colonoscopy” thumbnail. 😂 You made this nurses laugh out loud. Especially having worked in a GI Lab recovery before. If you’re thinking vegan 😉🌱 start with 1-2 days a week and ask @gonewiththewynns for great veggie recipe ideas. They always have the most delicious looking food in their videos! Thank you for sharing”up close and personal” maintenance with us. Cheers!
Thanks so much, Belle! Glad you liked it. We’re currently travelling with Tom and Cait of Mortons On The Move, who are long-time vegans, and they have been a good influence on us in cutting down our meat intake!
Some good information
Amazing video, guys! Did Mike say how often this service should be done; I realize it would have to do with the usage of the rig. Also, is this a national franchise or how/where do we find a provider? Thanks for bringing a good service to our attention.
Y'all Be Safe!
Thanks Raymond! Mike said that “every few years“ at a minimum would be recommended. He’s a private individual business owner in Lake Havasu City, so we’d suggest googling something like RV holding tank cleaning or power washing might find someone near you, especially if you’re in a popular RVing part of the country. Safe travels!
Really wish I hadn’t been eating a sandwich while watching this! 😂
LOL! Sorry! Timing is everything!
Never eat while watching this... or porn. :(
What kind of sandwich matters.
Thx, great information....who knew?
Tanktechs RX is supposed to prevent struvite formation.
I never use my tank sensors, rather I wait for my grey tank to burb then I know it’s time to drain. My wife and I full time so usually a week of use for both our black 32 gallons and grey 41 gallons tanks. Our motorhome is 5 years old.
Good to know
Gotta admit... I thought "struvite" was in the same class as "leverite", but it clearly is a thing. First reference returned by Google is about kidney stones. Yikes! Glad to hear it resolved the sensor problem. Great video. Ps. My sensors have failed, but i just put up with it. Probably time for pressure washing.
LOL, Jack. "Struvite" is even worse than "leverite"... since it's beyond worthless and actually a pain-in-the-you-know-where! And, yes, struvite is one of the chemical compositions commonly found in kidney stones... but, other than pounding your head on useless tank level displays, having it in your black tank won't cause as much pain as passing a stone! 😱 Sorry to hear about your sensors... but it sounds like it's possible a good cleaning could get them back working for you.
A new version of " Dirty Jobs "
Hey guys, great content as always! I was just wondering if you have ever done a video tour of your rig. I have almost the same coach (05 Newmar Kountry Star) and have seen all the very nice upgrades you have done to yours but have never seen it in its entirety.
Hi Raymond! Thanks so much. We haven’t done a dedicated video touring our RV, but we have shown just about every part of it at one time or another. Maybe when it turns 20 in just a few years will do an anniversary video!
@@RVgeeks Thanks for responding! Have you ever had to re-spray the clear coat around the top? I suspect yours and mine were built about the same time. BTW, keep the great videos coming! I've learned a ton from you guys.
@@raymondmcdonald7085 Thanks for the kind words, Raymond! We sure did have re-paint the roof radius. Documented it all here: ua-cam.com/video/SWZyZRPV6WI/v-deo.html
@@RVgeeks Thanks for the link guys! I thought I had seen all of your videos. I think it's funny you guys sat on the fence about getting it painted for all the same reasons I'm still on the fence. Looks like I'll just have to bite the bullet and get it done. Are prices for paint and body in Canada better tush the lower 48?
@@raymondmcdonald7085 Hard to say about pricing in US vs Canada. Probably depends a lot on what part of either country you’re in. We went to a highly respected paint shop, so didn’t shop price much.
Wow very informative. Curious, are your sensors working better now?
Yes, Sir! Working great!
awesome!
If you’re worried about odor do this! For your grey tank do the easy math… if you fill your fresh tank full some goes to your black and most goes to grey. don’t fill if you have not dumped simple you won’t overfill. If you fill when you dump you don’t have to worry. No need for censors if you go about it this way. Censors are garbage in most units they fail. I’ve herd store of rvs used for a trip or two and getting wrong reading this may be caused by poor cleaning or flushing but regardless should not happen with a new rv within the first couple of months. As for the black tank all units are different but if you really want to know how full you are hit the flush pedal with your water off and look into the toilet and you will clearly see where your levels are. This may take time to get used to from just looking down the hole to determine your levels but you will be able to see quickly. And just timber for your black tank use lots of water I like about half atleast and this will help a lot. But let’s be honest the censors are useless and this is different for every unit I understand that but if you pay attention from the get go when they probably function you will not necessarily need them and if yours work and continue to work correctly let me know what tv you have I will be sure to keep that in mind for a future unit. Sorry Mike not trying to turn customers away this is a real issue and hard to maintain thanks cheers everyone!
Very interesting, is there a recommendation for how often this should be done?
Hi, Brett. Mike recommends every few years.
Those side notes were really funny. I'm curious . . . is it possible for our body "fluids" to eat away at the tank lining? If yes, could power washing be removing some of the actual tank material?
Hey Scott! We’ve never heard of that being a problem, even in older RVs, so we’re confident that holding tanks are made out of pretty tough stuff.
Wow I had the same stuff coming out of my gray tank bad part about buying used don’t know the tank maintenance. I clean my black tank like you guys do actually started doing it just like you guys showed in your one vid on cleaning the black tank and I saw a huge difference now I’m terrified 😳😳😳😳😳😱😱😱😱😱😱😱 to see what mines gonna be when I get this done this spring. To the RV gods I’m very sorry 😐.
Hah, I was expecting to see Mike Rowe from the Discovery channel. hahaha
Sorry you had to settle for “Mike Roe” being interviewed by Peter from the Discovery channel (The RVers)!
@@RVgeeks It was a dirty job either way.
Do you recall what water pressure Mike used cleaning tank? I would be concerned of damaging or cutting into the tank with too high of pressure.
We don't recall the exact pressure (maybe 2,000 - 3,000 PSI)? But Mike has been a this a long time, and we can't imagine him being able to stay in business if he were blasting open people's tanks! He did a great job for us, and our sensors work perfectly for the first time in a while. 😄
I guess struvite is better than calling that crust crap crystals. I heard him say that water is your friend. I wonder how well the ice trick works before a lengthy drive. Great info either way!
Ice can improve the condition of the bottom of the tank, but not like a pressure washer!
I have one small question for you. How do you know the sensor is inaccurate if you can’t see the level of the water in the tank some other way? Just wondering.
We calibrated our tanks using the following method: ua-cam.com/video/DvVGBFdJ_vo/v-deo.html and after many years, we have a very good feel for how much water we use when boondocking, so we know what to expect when things are operating properly. Another REALLY obvious tell is if we dump the tank and it still shows anything other than empty!
What most RVer's now want. A video on how to make his wash out wand.
What does he recommend for a Black tank solvent? We had our tanks cleaned to try and get rid of a travelling smell and the fellow recommended Tank Tech. So far works but maybe something is better.
Tank Techs RX is the only one we’re familiar with, so it’s good to hear it’s working for you, and we suggest keeping with it in that case.
Anybody know what PSI the pressure washer was putting out? Great video
Hydroclean uses 3,000 to 4,000 psi.
Had a sensor issue with our black water holding tank and used the ice method, drove our travel trailer around our back horse field, and the problem disappeared. We always add some water and a couple of RV packets to the tank when we return from camping trips. People do not realize the damage that can be done with a pressure washer. Use them sparingly as the will create other repair issues. I've saved our home septic system from having to have new lines installed, saving 8k in repair costs. Northern Tool sells sewer drain line cleaner hose. Worth every penny of the $100 cost for the hose. I would have reservations about using this idea on an RV tank cleaner unless you run you pressure washer on idle.
Great to hear that we're not the only ones with successful first-hand experience using the ice method, Greg! While pressure washers can damage things when used improperly, the good thing is that using one inside an RV holding tank isn't generally anything that a non-professional would be able to do, partly due to the specialized nozzle and modified clear sewer line section required.
I haven't been through all the comments, so this may has been asked and answered, but how does Mike prevent destroying the sensors with that jet head zipping around the tank? I imagine he has a stock of sensors to replace ones that are not working.
Hi Jerry! Great question. We’ve never heard of anyone having a sensor damaged by this method. The through the wall sensors only have a metal probe on the end, and the water pressure doesn’t appear to have any effect on them at all. If you have concern about it, we certainly recommend asking about it before you have it done. For the record, our Newmar has external sensors.
@@RVgeeks yeah I was thinking about the Horst sensors that actually protrude a couple of inches into the tank. The first time I watched this video I considered doing this in my area (Cape Cod). I was going to replace the sensors after clearing as part of a package.
That is a very nice man and I am certain he will gain many clients from your video. He did not get into detail regarding most of his clients. Most have to call him because they do not start with water in the black tank.They end up with a hundred pound pryamid that not even the Pope could move. Or somebody uses fiberglass based wipees for their Arse!!! His Hydro tip has to go in and cut up the pyramid. Some take several hours. This process you saw here on a properly cared for system should be done every 3 years on full timers.
Interesting. Our '05 Monaco Exec has built in tank cleaning systems that I can use to give the tanks an additional flush after dumping them. I haven't used them every single time I've dumped but probably maybe every 3rd or 4th time and more so with the Black tank. I didn't realize the Grey tank would get a buildup like that as well. I guess I'm going to be more diligent now and start flushing the tanks much more often. Doesn't your coach have the flushing wands built into your tanks? How must does a tank cleaning service like this cost? We're not getting any odors but it might be prudent to have it done even just to establish a baseline. Thanks for posting and sharing your 'amazing adventure'. You guys have so much fun LOL . Mike
Thanks, Mike! According to our "before" and "after" scopes, it's a good idea to do this from time to time. Cost was around $200 for both tanks. Not bad at all, all things considered! :-)
@@RVgeeks Doesn't your NEWMAR have a built in tank flushing system you can use?
Great question @MrGrunthunter! It sure does, and we ALWAYS use it. The problem isn't flushing thoroughly during dumping. It's that struvite forms just from having all that "stuff" inside it during use.
Did this process clean the tanks enough so that the sensors are now working? How often should this be done in an RV? And how much is it to have this type of process completed?
Sorry we forgot to mention that our sensors are working like new again! Mike suggested this be done every few years, but that depends on how much the RV is used and how the tanks are cared for, especially in storage. It cost $200+ for both tanks.
I have to say, the black tank was not as bad as I was expecting! As you have experience with the Thetford chemicalc cassette toilets, UK & AU, do you not use chemicals in your black and grey tanks in the US?
We do indeed! We use Happy Campers, an organic holding tank treatment. It works well, but struvite is a sneaky little 💩!
It's a crystallized mineral build-up that slowly accumulates on the sides of holding tanks from magnesium, ammonia, and phosphate (from hard water) and other organic matter all coming together. Even waste water treatment plants deal with it. It's really not what products like Happy Campers are designed to cover.
@@RVgeeks it’s obviously been helping over the years then as, you would’ve been in deeper 💩 than you actually were 🤦♀️😂
Wonder how this would work in a situation where a stationary RV has a septic company come to dump the tank, so not having a drain line while the guy is cleaning the tank
When I bought my Class C this spring none of my black tank sensors worked. They were all stuck on full. I tried just flushing the tank with no luck. I read a post of using 20 mule team borax and Dawn dish soap solution where you add it to the empty tank. Drive to your camp site letting it sloch around. After the weekend I drained the tank and gave it a good flush and half my sensors started working again. After 2 more treatments they are alll working now. So now after every flush I add about 2 quarts of the mixture and it seems to be keeping things clean and working. I don't even add deodorizer to the tank any more.
Excellent! That’s a great success story, Ken! 👍
I flush and drain my tanks then add a half bottle of pine-sol plus fresh water. Then when we drive the trailer to the next location it is sloshing around the tank cleaning it. It seems to help.
Hi guys
Love to see your videos. I just watched your How to dump black tank from 8years ago. Do you still use rid x in your tank or only happy camper now? Is rid x used in place of happy camper and how frequently? We have a 1 year old class a and we’re dumping both tanks at end of the trip out but many times the tanks were not full. Rv may then sit for a week or more in the drive before the next trip. How long would be ok to leave the tanks before dumping to avoid any problems? Since we are not full timers, how would you suggest we treat the tanks for storage over the winter months? Thanks
Hi Gina! We've been using Happy Campers for a few years, but still like Rid-X too. Either one works well, with one "dose" in the black tank after each dump, so there's always some in the tank. It's hard to say how long you can leave the tanks without dumping. If you're going out again within a couple of weeks, and there's very little in the tank (so enough room in the tank to handle your upcoming trip), we wouldn't worry about it. It's the long storage periods where you should flush out the tank as thoroughly as possible.
@@RVgeeks thanks so much for your quick response. My husband wants to know if having a macerator toilet would change any of the treatment and how often do you treat the grey tank?
A macerator toilet is unlikely to make any difference, as it’s the organic matter itself in the tank that causes the problem. We treat our gray tank with dishwashing detergent and water softener a couple of times a year. If you check out the associated blog post on our website today, we have some details about that, as well as a video we did a number of years ago. Safe travels!
Question. How often should one do this process? I had no idea!
Mike suggested every few years.
Would you recommend doing this about once a year that was pretty bad I'm sure he's seen a lot worse though good video guys
Thanks! Once a year is probably more than needed. Mike indicated that once every few years should be good.
I need to know the name of that 3 piece clear attachment that you feed the pressure hose through. Also need info on the type/size of that pressure hose line, and the tip used? PLEASEEEEEEE
Sorry Jerry, but we don’t know. If you contact Mike at HydroCleanAZ he might be willing to share his trade secrets! 😁
How often would you recommend using this service? Thanks. 🙂
Depends on how much you use your RV, how thoroughly you flush the tank each time you dump, and the condition of your sensors (if they're reading correctly or not). We think once every few years wold be good for most people.
@@RVgeeks Thank you!
How often should this be done?
Where can I get this service done professionally since I don't think my own pressure washer is the tool to use?
Sorry we’re not sure Jan. Try googling RV holding tank cleaning in your area.
I'm wondering if this type of pressure washing can be done in an old fresh water tank. I just dont believe bleach can remove built up slime. I know bleach kills bacteria but there is always something left. Killing mold is fairly easy. But it must be scrubbed off or it will come back.
This is a great question, Jim. We'd suggest calling an RV holding tank pressure washing service or two to see what they have to say.
But did it help or fix the problem... Your video didnt say???? Also whats the cost?? Will never be in AZ so will need to find someone local.. ty
Yes, it did completely remedy the issue for us. I apologize for not making that clear in the video. The cost for both tanks was just over $200 - well worth the price to keep our tanks ship shape!
Is there a treatment other than power washing that can prevent or reduce struvite?
Hi Bob. We've heard about a product called Tank Techs RX that's supposed to reduce struvite formation.
@@RVgeeks but where in 🇨🇦 ?
Curious if you know the ingredients of "Happy Campers Extreme Holding Tank Cleaner." I bought an 18 oz container of it, am trying it out in our RV, but nowhere on the label does it list the ingredients. Neither can I find the ingredients listed on their website. (Strange) Some people say it's simply high-priced trisodium phosphate (TSP). Do you know exactly what it is? Thanks for any help you can provide. Love your videos!
Sorry, we don’t. Guess they keep it a trade secret.
@@RVgeeks Thanks
How did you guys find this guy? I wish I had somebody doing this in my area.
Hi, Richard! Try Googling something like "RV holding tanks professionally cleaned" - and see if anything comes up near you! Good luck!
never heard of it. how often should you power wash the tanks
Mike suggested “at least every few years“
@@RVgeeks Thank you so much.
Thank God there’s no smell-a-vision on this one!
Right!? 💩😂
I watched your video on cleaning the black tank. It's a through cleaning and yet you still got Struvite. So Struvite is inevitable? The through cleanings just slows it's progress.
Over a long period of time, some amount of struvite is pretty much inevitable. But if it doesn’t affect tank sensors, it’s not necessarily any big deal.
What your tip on grey tank daily use and keeping it clean 🧼
Here's one method: ua-cam.com/video/gmdzFpdB--c/v-deo.html