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grey water tank smell

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Daves
petermcd
roli
Cymro
IanH
TeamRienza
RogerThat
Gromit
Tinwheeler
vwt4
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The Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Owners Forum (ASOF)  :: Auto-Sleeper Motorhome Forums :: Auto-Sleeper "Van Conversions" Forum

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grey water tank smell Empty grey water tank smell

Post by vwt4 Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:25 pm

hi all
I accidentally left some dirty water in the tank due to having other problems to worry about, now got a bad smell coming into van, any recommendations for any products that may get rid of said smell, many thanks
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Post by Tinwheeler Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:39 pm

After emptying it try pouring a cheap bottle of disinfectant down the plug hole and drive a few miles on a bumpy road. It worked on ours.
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Post by Gromit Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:50 pm

Yes, and in future swill a small amount of toilet fluid down the sink every so often.

Be careful though, as the blue stuff can stain plastic.
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Post by RogerThat Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:57 pm

Tinwheeler wrote:After emptying it try pouring a cheap bottle of disinfectant down the plug hole and drive a few miles on a bumpy road. It worked on ours.

I'd quarter-fill the waste tank with clean water too, in order to aid the sloshing.  Agreed, works wonders up!
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Post by TeamRienza Wed Oct 14, 2020 8:13 pm

I used to be sceptical of the coca cola solution touted by some. A few years ago in France when the weather was hot, I decided to try it. The cheapest win brand cola and about 4 litres sorted our smelly tank out.
 
I have used this ever since. Obviously if you can empty your tank and then add the cola before travel, it will be more effective.

My current van has a 6 inch inspection hatch accessible from the cabin under a hatch, so I am able to scrub the sides and bottom whilst using a ‘shower’ setting on the hose which I utilise. This is my routine after every trip, but I still use cola effectively.

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Post by IanH Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:21 pm

Never close the grey tap unless the vehicle is in use, always open at home, or after properly draining on a site or Aire.
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Post by Cymro Wed Oct 14, 2020 10:20 pm

IanH wrote:Never close the grey tap unless the vehicle is in use, always open at home, or after properly draining on a site or Aire.

Ditto.

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Post by roli Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:12 am

You could use something like Thetfords Tank Fresh (if you have plentry of cash) or a remedy off this forum a few years ago Supermarkets own brand of Orange Cordial - works a treat
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Post by vwt4 Thu Oct 15, 2020 9:19 am

Thanks everyone for the suggestions
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Post by petermcd Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:52 pm

I use old fashioned ‘washing soda crystals’ dissolved in warm water. Mix up about half a small bucket, use it for washing/cleaning the fridge then pour the rest down the basin in washroom. Keeps the tank smelling nice and also seems to clean the tank level sensors to give a reasonably accurate indication (!)
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Post by Daves Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:02 am

Or a dose of Milton (baby bottle steriliser) down all plug-holes.
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Post by Daves Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:16 am

As we never drink from the fresh water tank (always from a separate container) we occasionally add a dose of Milton to flush the system through the fresh tank and consequently through the waste tank.
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Post by Traficlady Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:00 am

When you’ve got it clean, put a diluted capful of Zoflora down the sinks and shower after emptying the tank when you leave a site.

Nora

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Post by cobs Sat Oct 17, 2020 7:12 pm

Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean
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Post by Gromit Sun Oct 18, 2020 10:15 pm

cobs wrote:Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean
Is there any stainless steel in a grey water tank, or am I missing something??  scratch head
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Post by cobs Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:06 am

Gromit wrote:
cobs wrote:Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean
Is there any stainless steel in a grey water tank, or am I missing something??  scratch head

Was responding to the comment from Daves that he occasionally uses Milton to flush through the fresh water system and consequently the  waste tank
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Post by Askit Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:07 am

Gromit wrote:
cobs wrote:Just a word of caution re Milton - apparently it can affect stainless steel, as in the heater so possibly better to use something like Puriclean
Is there any stainless steel in a grey water tank, or am I missing something??  scratch head

Cobs, you beat me to it snigger

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Post by Gromit Mon Oct 19, 2020 9:20 am

I was missing something . . . the post from Daves!!     oh_blast!   Whistle1
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Post by cobs Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:18 pm

up!
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Post by mikemelson Tue Oct 20, 2020 5:13 pm

I pour half a bottle of bleach down the various plug holes into a half full waste tank, leave overnight.
Next day, drive over the local speed bumps & immediately empty tank down a suitable drain. 
You'll be surprised the amount of crud that comes out!
I haven't found that bleach has a detrimental effect on stainless steel.

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