Flush tank additives

EalingBob replied on 15/02/2017 21:36

EalingBob

Posted on 15/02/2017 21:36

I recently started using biological liquitabs to add to our waste tank. I found that they worked well with little difference between them and the expensive stuff you can buy in caravan dealers.

I was wondering has anyone any experience with additives to the flush tank? I would have thought that any suitable wetting agent would do? Has anyone tried washing up liquid...or am I being naïve? I tried car screen wash and that seems to work very well but it's not cheap and a lot more expensive than washing up liquid!

Any advice?

Many thanks,

Bob D.

82 replies

young thomas replied on 03/04/2019 08:06

Member

young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 02/04/2019 20:23 by nelliethehooker

Exactly what I do in our caravan. I add the hot water that I drain off from the van to aid the cleaning action.

Posted on 03/04/2019 08:06

...didn't know you had a grey waste tank....or are you talking about the cassette?

also, when moving from location to location (I won't say site to site...) I don't drain the hot water as we'd obviously have to refill and reheat...

a waste of water and energy...

nelliethehooker replied on 03/04/2019 19:54

Member

nelliethehooker

Caravanner

Posted on 03/04/2019 08:06 by young thomas

...didn't know you had a grey waste tank....or are you talking about the cassette?

also, when moving from location to location (I won't say site to site...) I don't drain the hot water as we'd obviously have to refill and reheat...

a waste of water and energy...

Posted on 03/04/2019 19:54

It is a cassette, BB. After having trouble with water leaking from a joint from the hot water tank don't want to risk it happening again when on the move, hence the emptying of the tank ( I guess it's only holds about 4 ltr anyway so not a lot to refill and reheat.) I also check for leaks when refilling the unit once on site.......I'm a belt and braces type of guy, as you well have guessed.

Olivegrower replied on 09/04/2019 22:39

Member

Olivegrower

Caravanner

Posted on 09/04/2019 22:39

We use a few drops of Zoflora in the flush tank. Good pongs and keeps the flush tank clean.

proterra replied on 12/04/2019 13:10

Member

proterra

Caravanner

Posted on 13/09/2017 22:43 by Little Jack

Hi, I'm no expert but I seem to remember when I first learned to drive many years ago that you should not use Washing Up Liquid in your Screen Wash bottle in a car as it is corrosive to the Windscreen rubber seals. For this reason I would be cautious about using it in any part of your Caravan toilet system. Whilst on the subject, and forgive me if I am teaching anyone to suck eggs, but I always spread a thin layer of vaseline over the sliding rubber disk (the bit that allows waste to drop into the tank when you pull the leaver) on our toilet cassette when the caravan is not going to be in use for any period of time. Apparently, the rubber disk will perish if allowed to go bone dry. Hope this helps and does not insult more experienced caravanners than I.

Posted on 12/04/2019 13:10

I always give it a spray with Wd40 or similar

ABM replied on 12/04/2019 15:34

Member

ABM

Motorhomer

Posted on 12/04/2019 15:34

Proterra { and Little Jack }, You have to be careful with standard WD40 'cos it softens many plastics -- they have brought out silicone etc based versions but I've no info on them.

As for the Closing / sealing disc on a cassette I use the Thetford spray designed for that job - I've not checked on it's composition ( it stays in the van) but it is in a spray can which must be good for 5 years use I reckon.

Tammysmum replied on 16/04/2019 21:32

Member

Tammysmum

Caravanner

Posted on 16/04/2019 21:32

I use Milton in my flush, after being put off using the pink flush stuff because of the black slime that was produced. My thinking was if its OK for babies' bottles etc then it can't do harm to the flushing mechanism and it smells fresh and clean always

Tinwheeler replied on 16/04/2019 21:49

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 16/04/2019 21:49

I'd be very doubtful about using Milton in the flush tank. Babies' bottles don't have seals and moving parts and the toilet manufacturers often warn against using cleaning materials because of the chemical content.

We don't add anything to the flush water - just like at home.

1 person likes this

Kerry Watkins replied on 17/04/2019 07:50

Member

Kerry Watkins

Caravanner

Posted on 12/04/2019 15:34 by ABM

Proterra { and Little Jack }, You have to be careful with standard WD40 'cos it softens many plastics -- they have brought out silicone etc based versions but I've no info on them.

As for the Closing / sealing disc on a cassette I use the Thetford spray designed for that job - I've not checked on it's composition ( it stays in the van) but it is in a spray can which must be good for 5 years use I reckon.

Posted on 17/04/2019 07:50

We have just replaced our seal on the toilet cassette and used olive oil to lubricate it before installing.

Navigateur replied on 17/04/2019 21:47

Member

Navigateur

Caravanner

Posted on 17/04/2019 21:47

We don't add anything to the flush water - just like at home.

Ah - but you could. These things that dangle in the cistern. I wonder if I could lower one into the flush header tank.

EmilysDad replied on 17/04/2019 23:39

Member

EmilysDad

Caravanner

Posted on 16/04/2019 21:49 by Tinwheeler

I'd be very doubtful about using Milton in the flush tank. Babies' bottles don't have seals and moving parts and the toilet manufacturers often warn against using cleaning materials because of the chemical content.

We don't add anything to the flush water - just like at home.

Posted on 17/04/2019 23:39

but a caravan toilet isn't the same as the one at home .... 🙄

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