Couple of past Threads  that might  interest you for your question.

 

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t23407342/thetford-toilet-chemicals/

 

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t52391213/portable-toilet-chemicals/

This is a very controversial question you ask.The larger percentage of active participants on this great forum use Napisan or equivalent.It does break down all solids and most find it satisfactory.Thetford product does what is advertised but has a higher cost and many claim it is not friendly to the environment. There are various brands of "bio"products available also,which many use and swear by.Over the past 8 years I have tried them all and now use Portasol (available at Bunnings and large hardwares) . This product suits us but may not be the preference of others.Just try a few Garry and find one you are happy with.

patrol03 wrote:

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 This product suits us but may not be the preference of others.Just try a few Garry and find one you are happy with.

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 Just be aware that chemicals should NOT be mixed.  If you try one then want to try another be very thorough when rinsing out so no residue of the previous chem remains.

Personally we use generic Nappy Soaker from Reject Shop, about $3 kg from memory, can't get much cheaper and more effective than that.

Look for 34% Sodium Percarbonate in whichever one you buy.

 

Thanks everyone.
I really appreciate your replies.
I think that I might try the Reject shop stuff and see how we go.

Hello Gary Andrews

I did some research on chemicals for portable toilets quite a few years ago, before I went long distance travelling
My interpretation was (and I could be wrong), is that any chemical with disinfectant in it, is harmful to septic systems.

The original toilet chemicals of years ago, were bad for septic systems, and small sewerage farms
Some small towns were reluctant to allow the dumping of portable toilets in their system.
I have no idea what the modern toilet chemicals are like, in respect to sewerage systems

Sodium Percarbonate is an oxidiser.
Sewerage farms rely on oxygen, by either natural or mechanical means, to help break down the effluent.

As jules47 has said above, nappy soakers have Sodium Percarbonate as one of their ingredients.

My second hand motorhome came with original manufacture toilet chemicals.
In all honesty I did not like the smell of these chemicals, and never used them

I can recommend Napisan type products, as this is what I have been using on all my long distance travelling.
I always read the label, to ensure that it is at least 30% or higher Sodium Percarbonate

JCT wrote:

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The SOG system, which Gary refers to, promotes itself as requiring no additives as it supposedly works on the 'oxygen neutralises system'.

From my searches it appears to work fine for those inside the RV but very poorly for those outside.

In fact some users suggest it is fine for use in the bush with no neighbours but to turn it of when next to others if you want to remain friendly.

I personally have decided not to convert to a SOG system and continue to use a product such as nappy soakers which contain around 35% Sodium Per-carbonate.

If I had a SOG system installed I would continue to do the same as I do now.

 

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I installed an SOG unit in our van.  The unit has a carbon filter on it which filters air being exhausted and is replaced every 12 months.

Their is no toilet odour in the van. No need to add chemicals and can be put into a septic system.

I wish I had installed it years ago.

 

I was told about a mixture to use in toilets.

4 litres hot water, 1 cup borax dissolved in the hot water, 1 cup cloudy ammonia and 1 - 2 cups pine-o-clean. [use green pine-o-clean so the finished mixture does not look like a bottle of urine.]   This mixture  makes 5 litres of product.

Make smaller amount if required.

Add 75ml to cassette per application.

 

 

 

depends if your sxxt stinks
Ken

Now guys =- you do know, I presume, that you having to be the one to empty the van cassette, is payback for all the p.....ey baby nappies you never changed!!!!!!

I think you are right Jules can't remember those nappies but Nowdays its my job .We use the generic nappysan and lately also use a cap full of eucalyptus oil sweet as well you know what I mean !!
Dhutime

Dhutime wrote:

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A question ,if useing SOG and no chemicals ,AND using the toot for number two ,how do you put up with the smell when emptying the cassette ?

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 If you had been a simple country lad like a few or us you would have grown up with long drop dunnies. If they are treated correctly, not overused and no chemicals are used you would know that any smell from them is just a compost type smell. If you are judging by the usual smell from roadside dunnies I can imagine your apprehension. Those ones are overused and maltreated by city-slickers. Yes there is a bit of smell from a well kept long drop but it is no where as objectionable as those roadside ones. The smell from any of those cassettes is not hard to get used to, you just have to go forth with a positive attitude, most people get used to emptying their cassettes, there are very few that I can't smell when passing them in the process.

There are two ways to get your pottie contents to compost. One is to add chemicals like Sodium Percarbonate (nappy soaker or Bio Magic.) This oxygenates the contents to do the composting (often referred to breaking down.) The other is to introduce a good supply or air and the oxygen therein oxygenates the contents (SOG system.) Either way you come out with a similar result.

As far a whether to crap in your pottie or not, strait urine is fairly inert and most chemicals will not react with it. If you only urinate in the pottie you really need a masking chemical and not a composting type chemical. As far as faeces goes, vegetarians will also have more problems with smelly potties, you need meat products to get the composting process going. When I was up in TPNG the Seventh Day Adventists who were vegetarians had to flush raw meat down into their septic systems to get them working

To all you people using Aqua blue - stop being environmental vandals. It contains formaldehyde based products.

A formaldehyde (embalming fluid) based chemical is often used to neutralize odors; this method of deodorizing the portable toilet releases toxic fumes. The formaldehyde based chemical interferes with the bacteria in portable toilets, these bacteria release odorous gas when breaking down waste. A notable exception to the formaldehyde based formula is California, which has banned the use of this chemical in portable toilets, RV's and the like because it interferes with their sewage plant operations.