a very tasteful topic, sorry
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:32
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Member - Tonester (VIC)
For porta-potti owners. I bought one recently and this evening unpacking was the end of the first usage session (4 days, family of 5). I sit here still smelling the smell in my nostrils. The instructions say *not* to use household cleaners, but only "genuine" ones from manufacturer (thetford), which I don't have on hand tonight, and I would suspect anyway would be heavy dosing and expensive to purchase.
Any owners care to share a possible keeping and smelling fresh secret?
Reply By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:40
Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:40
I should add this question was not for the additive for the
tank when in use (the blue chemical), but for afterward when it is fiushed out and "cleaned" and put to storage.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Jack - Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:42
Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:42
Post 39216 below might have some useful clues. I usually leave some "pink" stuff in the top
tank when I store it, and it has a pleasant enough smell. But I am going to try the Bio stuff they talk about in that post soon to see how it goes.
Jack
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:56
Tuesday, Nov 07, 2006 at 22:56
I use Bio Magic for both purposes. It neutralizes the smells rather than masking them and is supposed to be very environmentally friendly as
well.
After cleaning, I just dose the bottom
tank ready for the next use and put it away.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 08:57
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 08:57
Hi Norm:
I don't want to hijack the thread, but is the Bio Magic used in both tanks? I had a look at the website, but could not get much on its use in "travelling loos".
Jack
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 09:23
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 09:23
Jack,
Yes, the one product is used in both tanks.
It tells you on the container how much to use, depending on the size of the waste
tank .For the top
tank, which is usually about 11 litres of flushing
water, the quantity of BioMagic was around 50ml from memory.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:07
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:07
So guys, can you leave stuff in the bottom
tank during storage?
Instructions say to store it clean and dry. I figured that keeping the chemicals in there for long periods might do damage.
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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:20
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:20
A few ml of Bio Magic shouldn't hurt it, and hasn't yet. It is just plastic after all.
Most important thing is not to leave it too long with the 'family business' in it.
I don't empty the top
tank at all. Just top it up as required.
We rarely go more than 6 weeks without at least a short
camping trip though. Someone who goes 6 months between uses might use different practices.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Nick R - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 08:48
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 08:48
After each use we always prepare it for it's next use, some pink in the top and the green in the bottom, it is never too offensive except for one time it wasn't emptied after it's last use.
Nick
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:10
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:10
As I just asked as a followup to one of the other replies, the instructions say to store dry when not in use. Does the chemical in the bottom
tank for long periods not hurt it?
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Nick R - Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 09:52
Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 09:52
Tonester,
Therein lies the difference, I never read the instructions, why would you need to do that? a slosh of green in the bottom and a slosh in the top and fill the top with
water.
2 families use the one we have access to so it only sits for a month or so, hasn't hurt it yet (3 years).
Nick
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Follow Up By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 17:10
Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 17:10
Just be aware of the "nasties" of the green liquid. I wouldn't "slosh it" at all.
This chemical contains formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is classifed as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
That is why many have moved to safer products such as BioMagic.
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Follow Up By: Nick R - Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 21:59
Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 21:59
it's ok sandman, it was a carefully measured metric slosh, not one of those imperial sloshes that go everywhere.
Don't know biomagic, also I thought formaldehyde was confirmed as a carcinogen like one of my other favourites, creosote....
Like all cleaning agents, pesticides, herbicides and other dangerous goods it is a good idea to handle them in a safe manner.
Nick
FollowupID:
463704
Reply By: Mr Fawlty - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 10:47
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 10:47
I keep a bottle of "Nil odour" around... small green bottle from supermarkets. Only need 1 drop & it kills even the most offensive odors. I find the best trick when you are going to store these things is to a) empty them, b) rinse in warm
water with a bit of detergent, c) rinse in warm
water and then d) store them with the lid off so that the damp interior can dry out and not cause any further moldy fragrances to grow in the dark moist environment. Make sure you lube the rubber seal with some natural plant oil, Olive seems to work best as mineral oil can attack the rubber....You can use any of the treatments in these without worrying about specific brands...
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Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:15
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 14:15
I avoided flushing with detergent cause again the instructions said to not use household cleaners...
I did note it said to lubricate the seals. I was going to use a little mineral oil too (ie. the car one). Is the olive oil used in a kitchen ok for these things as you said? I presume there's no real difference... (First press extra virgin olive oil too, only the best for my dunny).
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Crazy Dog (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 18:53
Wednesday, Nov 08, 2006 at 18:53
Yeh! Don't use it!
tsk tsk...
Grrr!!!
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Follow Up By: Member - Tonester (VIC) - Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 08:48
Thursday, Nov 09, 2006 at 08:48
geez, you must be full of sh1t then dude! :-)
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