The "GEO method"

[John]

I was reading about the "GEO method" for keeping holding tanks clean(er). This link refers to RV's but I was wondering if it would apply to boats too. The basic idea is to use laundry softener to make the inside of the tank and hoses more slippery, thus making it more difficult for solids to stick to them. (They also mention using bleach, which I know is not recommended.) I was wondering what you think of that? Here's the link:
http://www.rvusa.com/forum/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4026&start=1

Thanks.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

It really doesn't apply much to marine systems...

For several reasons...RV tanks are emptied via gravity through a drain in bottom...marine tanks are "vacuumed" out. RV systems all use onboard fresh water...while many larger boats do too, most marine toilets use raw (sea, lake, river) water...so you're dealing with different mineral content. RVs use mostly hard pipe...most of the GEO method would be damaging to hoses. The only part of it that might be worth trying is water softener...but why would you need to keep your tank walls clean? You don't clean out the sewer pipe in your house. IMO, the GEO method is a whole lot of unnecessary work and expense to accomplish no more than can be accomplished with plain ol' water used regularly, and a little detergent occasionally.

Did you read the whole thread? That's one tough group! There's some bad advice in it too...a claim that hypochlorous acid (chorine) neutralizes hydrogen sulfide and ammonia...neither of which is true. And in fact combining bleach and ammonia produces ammonium chloride gas, which is deadly!