Black bits in flushed water

Hello All,
I regularly clean out the holding tank and top up flushing tank, however, 'black bits' which look like pieces of rubber or leaves always appear in the loo pan. Any experience or clues welcome.

Stay safe
Mick

It’s a form of algae. Many people swear it’s caused by using the pink flush additive.

Me included.

No definitive proof, but I haven't seen any bits since I started using Elsan Green two years ago, which can be used in both flush tank and cassette.

It also smells a lot nicer to me than the Thetford blue stuff.

I haven't seen the black bits since I started using the pink stuff from Aldi.

I have to agree, the pink Aqua Rinse didn't stop mould growing in the flush water in our previous van. I don't know why I keep buying it.

I'm currently using Elsan Green just in the cassette. That isn't a recommendation, they all stink when you empty the cassette.

The black bits stopped appearing in my flush when I started using nothing but plain water in the tank. As has been mentioned elsewhere, a quick spray of diluted fabric softener in the bowl helps keep things slippery..
Al.

Thetford re-branded Aqua Rinse to Aqua Rinse Plus a couple of years or so ago and I'm sure I read somewhere that the new formula was supposed to obviate the black slime problem.

I bought some of the new stuff but haven't been able to test it's efficacy as we've not camped in the van for almost two years  - last year due to prolonged mechanical problems and this year for the obvious reason.

We use the Aldi pink stuff, it's ok when used regularly but we always get the black bits at the start of the year. No matter how many times I flush it through before the winter shutdown, they will still appear. Those of you who occasionally do a bit of cleaning at home ( ) would have noticed that the self same black bits appear on the outlet of cold water taps and on the flush holes of the toilet bowl

This from Thetford's website:
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Askit wrote:We use the Aldi pink stuff, it's ok when used regularly but we always get the black bits at the start of the year. No matter how many times I flush it through before the winter shutdown, they will still appear. Those of you who occasionally do a bit of cleaning at home ( ) would have noticed that the self same black bits appear on the outlet of cold water taps and on the flush holes of the toilet bowl

Yes, we get it on our bathroom sink cold tap at home, I clean it using an old toothbrush, and also around the bath sealant and slip mat, on which we use HG Mould Remover Spray.

See here:

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I stopped using the pink stuff or any come to that I use just plain water, after all that is what is used at home.

The black bits stopped my pump working in the first van I ever had, replaced pump after thoroughly cleaning out the tank, never used anything since apart from tried washing capsules a couple of years ago and then last year decided not to bother with anything.

Have had no problems in five vans.

Like Al we just use plain water after suffering the black bits problem, but, add a few drops of Thieves essential oil, it is expensive initially but lasts forever and kills all the smells. Works a treat, also excellent diluted in a small spray bottle for cleaning counter tops and faucets.

The black bits are the result of the pink fluid lining the surfaces of the tank/pump etc and building up over time as the water level ebbs and flows and is tossed about whilst moving. It builds up like the furring in a kettle. After a while bits start to be shed into the water, creating the black bits. If you get a piece of black and smear it on a white background, you'll see that it's actually pink, but in concentration it appears black.

Thank you, one and all. I think I have the 'solution'.
Stay Safe,
Mick

as we dont have a seperate flush tank (in none of the four vans weve had, 2 UK, 2 German) we dont get this oft reported issue.
ive always thought of flush tanks as a caravan thing, as caravans (generally) dont have a large fresh water tank.
why add all the complexity of extra tanks and pipework/electrics when all that users seem to get are problems with pink/black 'bits' in the system?
obviously, the above is a disadvantage (certainly seems like one), can anyone suggest an advantage over flushing from a central fresh water tank?
i guess Groundhogs post of making the flush water 'fragrant' might be an advantage, but many use plain water to overcome the 'black bits' issue....

As never had a flushing system that uses the main fresh water tank cannot comment on them, but don`t have a problem with toilet flushing system we have,

Caravanned for 30 years and got fed up with the faffing about with aqua-rolls etc, so MH `s are sheer luxury to us.

daisy mae wrote:As never had a flushing system that uses the main fresh water tank cannot comment on them, but don`t have a problem with toilet flushing system we have,

Caravanned for 30 years and got fed up with the faffing about with aqua-rolls etc, so MH `s are sheer luxury to us.

...agree....we dont have aquarolls either, but its even more 'sheer luxury' only to have and manage one water tank...as i said, why make life (and plumbing/electrics systems) more complex than they need to be?
how large is a flush tank?
how often does it ned filling?
if its more often thsn filling my fresh water twnk then thats extra work i dont need.....

As BB has told us many times, we tend to have tiny (13 gallon) fresh water tanks compared with euro models. Our separate toilet flush tank holds about 2 gallons and lasts about 3 days (especially as we aren't using site facilities at moment). If we didn't have that separate tank then that 2 gallons would be taken from our main tank making the refilling of that even more frequent.
I don't see the point of discussing this , we either have a separate tank or we don't, we can't do anything about it.

Paul, i was simply wondering why some converters chose to install them and others didnt, trying to understand the different thoughts/advantages....
in your case, id have thought it was easier to make the fresh tank 2 gallons (how imperial) larger than to install a completely separate system with its own tank, plumbing and electrics?
however, if you 'dont see the point' in discussing this, i wont be offended if you don't.

There is a remote chance of backflow into the main fresh tank if no separate flush tank is fitted. It’s very unlikely but possible so I’m happy to have a separate flush tank just in case. 

By remote you gotta mean virtually impossible. The only point at which fresh flush water and used flush water could possibly mingle is at the spout up by the rim. For used flush water to reach the rim you'd have to fill the bowl up, almost to capacity and not use the cassette trap door, or totally fill cassette and toilet bowl up to rim level.

I did say it was very unlikely...

Hi, I found Thetford = black bits, Elsan = No black bits!!  Keep flushing!! Regards   Paul