stephs2125

Shelby Township, MI

New Member

Joined: 01/26/2012

View Profile

Offline
|
Hello! I am a first time RV owner first trip scheduled for May. I hope I am posting in the right forum.
I have been doing a lot of reading on methods to take care of the black tank and the one that appeals to me the most is the Geo Method.
For any of you who have used this method with a brand new TT, how did you begin? Ive read that you don't need to use the softener on the first use, but when should you and do you need to do / use anything to start out?
Thanks in advance for those that reply!
Kindly,
Steph
2012 Roo 233S, Husky Centerline WDH
'04 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 4WD, 5.7L V8 Hemi, 3.92 axle ratio
DH - Steve
DD - Addison (AKA Addytude)
I want to capture the world - one photo at a time!
Nikon D7000
Nights camped in 2012 - TBD
|
dalmationlovers

Port Orchard, WA

Senior Member

Joined: 06/14/2010

View Profile


Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I don't use much of anything in my black tank. I dump after every weekend and in the summer I put 1 packet of chemicals only to freshen it. If you put plenty of water and dump when necessary you shouldn't need anything in your tank. That is only my opinion.
Good Luck
Arnold
|
2oldman

Winchester WA

Senior Member

Joined: 04/15/2001

View Profile

Offline
|
If you've been reading about GEO then you probably don't need any links to discussions of it.
|
smildrum

Durham,Maine

Senior Member

Joined: 09/25/2007

View Profile

Offline
|
We've been using the Geo method for 4 seasons.I put a 2 gallon bucket of hot water/Geo mix into the toilet just before we leave for the first weekend in the spring,saving a little to dump into the sink and shower drains also.It's usually the last thing I do before we lock the door-it gets a good sloshing around to coat the walls of the tanks.We always do a good job flushing the tanks at the dump station and re-Geo in August.Never had a problem with the black tank.
|
Eycom

32043

Senior Member

Joined: 09/12/2004

View Profile

|
If you travel a lot, you're going to find hard and soft water. Subsequently, water softener such as Calgon will and won't be readily available in stores, if you get the correlation. I've found that water, and plenty of it, works just fine with proper dumping protocol.
RVn Full-time
|
|
|
BigSur2

Hampton, VA

Senior Member

Joined: 05/18/2011

View Profile


Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I use the GEO maybe once per year just to sanitize and "clean" the tanks. Other than that, just plenty of water as others have said. I personally use a Hydroflush to fill and empty my tank a couple of times after each trip.
BigSur2
2012 Keystone Bullet 286QBS
2006 Ford F150 5.4 V8
|
gbopp

The Keystone State

Senior Member

Joined: 08/03/2008

View Profile

Offline
|
I use the Geo Method most of the time. Sometimes I just use water.
Try it, there is no difference if the tank is new or well used.
I've never had any tank problems.
|
AJR

Close to Madison Wisconsin

Senior Member

Joined: 07/28/2005

View Profile


Offline
|
Lots of water makes sense. GEO makes sense. Just like suspenders do.
Ever had a problem.
Never leave the black valve open at a full hook up site.
2002 Damon Challenger 348
W22 8.1 Vortec
2010 Escape toad
|
anaro

Mebane, NC

Senior Member

Joined: 01/16/2011

View Profile

|
I didn't start w/ the geo method. I started w/ drop ins until I got an odor. I switched to the geo method and haven't looked back. I add tide liquid detergent and calgon water softener every trip. I also flush w/ a wand every trip. When we first started doing this, there was some very nasty stuff that washed out and then the stuff coming out got clearer and clearer (we use a clear elbow to see). Now it flushes out so much easier. I would think you could wait until your first dump to start w/ the water softener. Just remember to always keep a few gallons of water in your black tank (add it before your first use). We only add the stuff to the grey tank every few trips, it doesn't need it as much. One more thing, don't forget to sanitize your fresh water system before you use it.
2009 Ford F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4L diesel 4WD
2011 Crossroads Zinger ZT26BL
Reese Dual Cam
4 nights camped in 2013!
21 nights camped in 2012!
27 nights camped in 2011!
|
Sandia Man

Rio Rancho, NM

Senior Member

Joined: 08/09/2008

View Profile

|
Nothing wrong with using aftermarket black tank additives or homemade concoctions, but we keep it simple, just use plenty of water and internally flush/rinse tank after we dump. No odors and tank sensors have worked as designed. Have fun on your maiden voyage!!!
|
|
|