Cassette toilet additives

Graymee replied on 27/06/2017 21:53

Graymee

Posted on 27/06/2017 21:53

I was always led to believe that a cassette toilet should not be emptied into the normal household sewage system via the household toilet or whatever as the chemicals, formaldehyde possibly, killed the good bacteria at the sewage works that broke down the waste. Is that still the case as modern toilet chemicals are formaldehyde free? A lot of people seem to be using Bio Pods that you would normally use in a washing machine as an alternative to the dedicate waste tank fluid. That is obviously safe to put down domestic drains but do they do the job the purpose made chemicals do?

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young thomas replied on 28/06/2017 13:16

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young thomas

Motorhomer

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:03 by DSB

I've stopped using toilet fluid these days. Instead I use the 'tea bag' type - I think they are Aqua Chem? Far more convenient than fluid.

David

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:16

....but, no doubt, even more of a rip off price than that in a bottle....and i bet they dont keep the cassette in 'as new' condition

yes, they are undoubtedly more convenient, as are the Aldi/Lidl pods, but at around £2.30 for 20 the supermarket pods are fantastic value and IMV, do a better job.

i still have a bottle and a half of Thetford blue in my garage which is unlikely to be ever used.

Cornersteady replied on 28/06/2017 13:17

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Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:03 by DSB

I've stopped using toilet fluid these days. Instead I use the 'tea bag' type - I think they are Aqua Chem? Far more convenient than fluid.

David

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:17

yes me too, I notice that Dometic do them now as well.

No more measuring the required dose and usually (in my case) spilling it.

brue replied on 28/06/2017 13:22

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brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:22

See here for a bit of info. Formaldehyde is the toxic one.

I like the way it says keep the emptying away from fresh water points....how many sites have them next to each other? Not something I like to see with airborne microbes.....

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DSB replied on 28/06/2017 13:25

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DSB

Caravanner from Staffordshire

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:17 by Cornersteady

yes me too, I notice that Dometic do them now as well.

No more measuring the required dose and usually (in my case) spilling it.

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:25

It's the spilling and measuring that converted me too. It's worth that extra expense.

David

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Cornersteady replied on 28/06/2017 13:34

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Cornersteady

Caravanner from Tyne & Wear

Posted on 28/06/2017 11:14 by Wildwood

My feeling is that emptying the waste into a toilet or chemical waste point feeding into the mains is not a problem as the dilution by the time it gets there is enough to prevent it doing any damage. Non bio ones emptying into a septic tank probably are a problem though and this should be avoided.

Some people swear by bio pods but how something designed to clean clothes can work in a toilet I have no idea so it is simply guess work as to their real effectiveness.

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:34

My (as was) head of chemistry did try and explain it, unsuccessfully in my case,something to do with enzymes breaking the stuff down in the same way they break down stains (such as blood). He did say it should work very well.

DSB replied on 28/06/2017 13:35

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DSB

Caravanner from Staffordshire

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:35

I could be wrong Brue, but I think no toilet fluid actually contains Formaldehyde these days (not even the blue). I do some research...

David

Randomcamper replied on 28/06/2017 13:40

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Randomcamper

Motorhomer

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:40

I like the way it says keep the emptying away from fresh water points....how many sites have them next to each other?

Rather worryingly they now seem to be immediately adjacent at Troutbeck Head....??

On my last trip there the drinking water taps have been moved indoors I think right next to the Chemical toilet Waste dump. It worried me at the time as I can easily imagine somebody offering up the filler of their cassette tank to the drinking water tap to do a rinse.......

I assumed it was to bring the taps in from potentially freezing cold, but worrying from a hygiene point of view.......

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brue replied on 28/06/2017 13:47

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brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:34 by Cornersteady

My (as was) head of chemistry did try and explain it, unsuccessfully in my case,something to do with enzymes breaking the stuff down in the same way they break down stains (such as blood). He did say it should work very well.

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:47

I think in the sewage industry different bio products are used to break down bacteria etc. I don't know how effective washing products in loos are at reducing harmful bacteria etc but they obviously break down solids..

DSB replied on 28/06/2017 13:48

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DSB

Caravanner from Staffordshire

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:35 by DSB

I could be wrong Brue, but I think no toilet fluid actually contains Formaldehyde these days (not even the blue). I do some research...

David

Posted on 28/06/2017 13:48

Certainly Aqua Chem Blue is formaldehyde free. See: https://www.thetford-europe.com/aqua-kem-blue-best-performing-toilet-additive-formaldehyde-free/ (Apologies: phone is not allowing me to add active links today, for some reason)

David

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