Porta Pottie Top Tank

[Jim Stevens]

Peggie,I read your reply to a porta pottie question where the owner had "blues" leaking out of the top reservoir. My Thetford MSD porta pottie says to add only water to the top tank I thought. Have I understood the directions correctly? Do you recommend having some chemicals in the flush water reservoir?Also, what's your recommendation for the kind of chemicals I should use, is KO the stuff for porta potties in your opinion? I've been using regular household toilet paper rather then the pricier marine fast disolving kind. I haven't had any problem emptying the tank, pours right out. I don't do much of an inspection, just a quick pour and flush. Do you think the marine paper would save me a possible clog of the pour out?Man, I start thinking of my boat's head and the questions just keep coming! Thanks Peggie

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

I wouldn't use Thetford chemicals, period

They're highly toxic chemicals. Some still contain formaldehyde...their "non-formaldehyde" formula just substitutes gluteraldehyde, which is even more lethal. So I'm not surprised that they advise against putting their chemicals in the flush wate reservoir...if any were left in the bowl and a child or pet got into it, they could be poisoned or blinded. You don't want any of it come in contact with your "privates" either. Because permanently installed pumpable portapotties are vented, organic products like K.O., Odorlos and enzymes will work in those just fine...but unfortunately they can't work in a portable model because the tank is sealed. My favorite odor control product for portable portapotties is white vinegar. It prevents odor by lowering the pH level. As for toilet paper, you can put just about anything in a portable portapotty that can go down a household toilet. However, only quick-dissolving toilet paper should be used in pumpable models. The "good stuff" can clog up the pumpout line. However,

 

[Chris]

How much vinegar?

What strength do you use when you mix the vinegar with the water in the reservoir?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

50-50 with water in the reservoir

Add undiluted to the lower tank as needed.Large doses of vingegar should only be used in *portable* portapotties...large doses of vinegar should NOT be used for odor control in permanently installed pumpable models or holding tanks. As mentioned earlier, it works because it lowers the pH level, which slows bacterial activity. Slowing bacterial activity not only reduces odor, it also interferes with the breakdown of solids and toilet paper--no big deal in a tank that's emptied by dumping it down a toilet and then washed out, but when solids and paper can't break down in a tank that has be pumped out, the result is clogs and sludge.