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The top holding tank issues for RVers are preventing clogs and backups, and eliminating foul holding tank odors. Many frustrated RVers turn to popular holding tank treatment products to try combat this, and many of these products are enzyme-only products. But the real question is, how does an enzyme-only holding tank treatment work, and what exactly does it do? In this guide we will explore exactly how an enzyme-only tank treatment product works and what it can do for tank odors and backups.
In order to fully understand how these enzyme holding tank treatments work, we first need to understand that enzymes are non-living proteins that break down organic waste. These enzymes work in your tank by breaking down the feces and toilet paper inside your black tank into smaller pieces, preventing large build-ups of waste from occurring inside your tank. It’s that simple!
Enzyme-only products have three main features that make them very popular. First, Enzymes are really good at breaking down large chunks of waste, which, as we covered a little earlier, aids in preventing those larger chunks of waste from becoming a clog or leading to a backup.
The other benefit of an enzyme-only product is its speed. Enzymes often work very quickly, which can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with a clog that needs to be removed right away. Do keep in mind, though, that enzymes cannot completely eliminate the poop and toilet paper inside your tank, they only break the waste down into smaller pieces that are more easily removable from your tank.
Finally, Enzyme-only products are safe to use. Many other traditional or “old school” treatment methods on the market rely on using caustic chemicals to break down the waste inside your tank. Enzyme-only products don’t contain any of these harsh or caustic chemicals, which can give you as the user much more peace of mind when using them.
It’s good to note that while enzyme-only holding tank treatments break down waste and aid in preventing clogs, they are unable to control odors. To make up for this lack of odor control, some producers of Enzyme-Only tank treatments try to tackle the odor issues in other ways. Some address these odors by adding strong fragrances that mask these odors, which is not a great method. These products are essentially replacing one foul odor with another strong (many times unpleasant) odor.
Other manufacturers prefer to use a chemical solution, which can lead to you having to interact with risky, dangerous chemicals to treat odors. This is obviously not an ideal method.
Yet another method for reducing odors (especially when travelling in high-heat areas) is by employing a zinc or mineral product. It is good to note though that these products can be dangerous to use if not packaged correctly. As long as you are using a product that is safely packaged, these products are great for reducing odors. But again, be wary of companies that produce a zinc or mineral product that is not packaged with your safety in mind.
Finally another great odor reducer to pair with an enzyme-only product is a bacterial tank treatment. The best part about using a bacterial odor reducer is that the bacteria inside the product also shed even more enzymes while reducing tank odors. This means that using a bacterial odor reducer not only reduce odors, but it also strengthens the breakdown process occurring in your enzyme-only tank treatment as well.
It’s good to remember that using an enzyme-only tank treatment paired with a good odor reducer is only one part of whole-tank maintenance. In order to prevent backups, clogs, and odors at all times, we strongly recommend that you follow The Unique Method.
In the end, enzyme-only products have their advantages when it comes to breaking down the waste inside your tank, and many people find them to be extremely helpful. And when paired with a safe and effective odor reducer, while also employing The Unique Method, you will have happy, healthy holding tanks. We hope this article has helped you to better understand RV enzyme treatments. If you have any further questions or concerns about this topic, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always here to help. Happy camping!
Many people may wonder, “Is a tank flush really that necessary?”. We recommend that you thoroughly flush out your black water holding tank for 20-30 minutes every 3-5 dumps.