Black 'gunge' in the Thetford flushing tank

[Kev Lunn]

I have a Sterling Europa 'van now just into it's third year. The 'van is
fitted with a Thetford cassette toilet that has the manual flushing pump.
This year I have found that black gunge seems to have built up in the
flushing tank and is pumped out when the toilet is being flushed. Despite
re-filling and pumping until empty several times I'm still finding this crud
coming out of the flushing nozzle. Anyone else had this problem and found a
way to resolve it? I do use Aquarinse incidentally, not just fresh water -
and I do drain down the flushing tank each autumn.

Kev

[Darren Guiden]

I get this with a portapotti, like you i use aquarinse, prehaps this is
causing some kind of mould in the holding tank or pump?

i put some diluted bleach in, flushed it through a few times, it disappeared
for a few months, but came back so now i just ignore it.

"Kev Lunn" <kev...@lunn11.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8mn8vn$o6v$1...@newsg4.svr.pol.co.uk...

[Harebell]

Yes, we have exactly this problem. The 'van's now in its third year (from
new) and the bits started appearing towards the end of last year. They only
tend to appear when the flushing tank is getting low. We too have always
used Aquarinse when refilling the tank. Be interesting if someone comes up
with an answer to this.
Harebell

[kevin.reed]

We do use Aquarinse however there are no black bits at all in our Porta Loo.

Andy Clarke <motorhome-...@egroups.com> wrote in message
news:r411ps43opks2nnvv...@4ax.com...

> On Tue, 8 Aug 2000 19:39:33 +0100, Harebell wrote:
>
> >Yes, we have exactly this problem. The 'van's now in its third year
(from
> >new) and the bits started appearing towards the end of last year. They
only
> >tend to appear when the flushing tank is getting low. We too have always
> >used Aquarinse when refilling the tank. Be interesting if someone comes
up
> >with an answer to this.
>

> Don't use Aquarinse! We just use plain water and have no problems....
>
> --
> Andy Clarke
>
> UKMotorhomes.net - The UK Motorhome Website
> http://www.ukmotorhomes.net
> Motorhome List - The UK email list for motorhome owners
> http://www.travel.to/motorhome-list

[J L Williams]

The message <Lz6k5.8511$VO3.1...@news6-win.server.ntlworld.com>
from "kevin.reed" <kevin...@ntlworld.com> contains these words:

> We do use Aquarinse however there are no black bits at all in our Porta Loo.

We have been using aquarinse for three years that is, and we have no
black bits in the flushing water.........yet! :-)
Cheers
Jim

[Kev Lunn]

Thanks for all your replies. I've e-mailed Thetford themselves to seek
their advice on this problem. I'll post their reply when (if?) I get it.

Kev

[TONY]

Yes I will be interested in there reply . I have just bought a new electric
flush toilet for my van and have used Aquarinse in it several times and
still have two 1.5 L bottles left ! Tony

"Kev Lunn" <kev...@lunn11.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message

news:8ms9ii$jh1$1...@news5.svr.pol.co.uk...

[Kev Lunn]

I have now received a reply from Thetford on this problem :

-------------------------------------------------------

REMOVAL OF FRESH WATER TANK RESIDUE

If water is left in a sealed tank or container, soon bacteria and / or algae
will develop. Light and temperature will speed up the growth. To protect
themselves from being flushed away, these micro-organisms will form a slimy
film (often grey or brown) on the walls. The active ingredients in Aqua
Rinse will prevent adherence to the walls.

If no Aqua Rinse is used or at a very low concentration slime / algae will
build up rapidly (days). If at this time Aqua Rinse is used, the film that
is already present will come from the walls.

May we suggest draining down the water tank completely and treating firstly,
with a diluted solution of "Milton" the sterilising agent and fresh water,
leaving overnight and then draining off. If the problem persists, try
charging the tank with a triple dose of Aqua Rinse, leave for 48 hours and
flush through. Continue procedure until residue build up subsides.

-------------------------------------------------------

I'll give it a try and see what happens!
I do use Aquarinse regularly although on occasions, if the tank needs a
top-up the night before leaving a site, I will use just fresh water because
I prefer to empty the flushing tank prior to towing and don't want to waste
the additive. This means that the residue left in the flushing tank will be
fresh water rather than Aquarinse treated water. This may be why I have got
the problem when others haven't!

Kev

[Robin James]

The message <200008091...@zetnet.co.uk>
from J L Williams <j.l.wi...@zetnet.co.uk> contains these words:

I am still using the Porta-loo purchased in 1988 and have always used
plain water in the flushing tank with no problems! The flushing tank
is never emptied completely until the van is drained down for the winter.

Robin James

[F.Red]

Why dont you pratts look at the subject !!!!

It has jack shit to do with porta loo's

Will everyone wanna start telling us what they had for diner next ?
Well I suppose they will !!!!
How far can you stretch this subject.
Has the original poster got his/her answer ?

"Robin James" <robin...@zetnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:200008121...@zetnet.co.uk...