Mould in Toilet Flush Tank

andytyneandwear
andytyneandwear Club Member Posts: 115 ✭
First Comment
edited September 2020 in Caravans #1

Does anyone have any ideas on how to cure the black mould that comes out of the toilet flush tank, I've always used flush tank fluid.

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #2

    Stop using the pink flush fluid and see if there's a difference. The general opinion is that it causes the algae you are seeing.

  • Amesford
    Amesford Club Member Posts: 685 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #3

    I've only had that problem once and that was when I neglected to drain the flush tank before leaving the site and was left in the van for a while surprised

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #4

    I read somewhere that Thetford suggest using Milton in the tank for cleaning it, we have in the past used Puriclean in it at the same time as cleaning the water system.

    Since we finished the supplied sample bottles and the big bottle of pink we bought years back, we have given up using pink, just use plain water.   

    Fewer black bits, less hassle, less weight to carry and less money spent, so a winning situation.

  • andytyneandwear
    andytyneandwear Club Member Posts: 115 ✭
    First Comment
    edited September 2020 #5

    Does not  seem to matter weather I use fluid or not still get lovely lumps of mould summer use or winter storage .

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited September 2020 #6

    I stopped using pink fluid around 10 years ago and it cured the problem for me.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2020 #7

    I have had black bits in the flush in the past, but not recently since I just put a tiny splash of pink in the header tank .... but does it really matter if you get a few black bits in the flush water?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #8

    Buy some Thetford cleaner and add required amount to flush tank. Top up with warm to hot water, not boiling, and leave for 24 hours. Empty flush tank and refill and flush through again. That will usually shift it. I have been using the pink flush additive for years and when I start getting black bits I know it's time to clean the flush tank.

    David

  • DCL
    DCL Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited September 2020 #9

    The algae is caused by to much flush additive added in the mix, follow the directions and you should not have black bits, and do not leave flush in the tank, empty into spare bottle after each trip for use next time. Clean and flush like David at the end of each season.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited September 2020 #10

    Or even, like many motorhomers have to do, just use a separate spray bottle of ready mixed pink or even a very diluted disinfectant like Zoflora perhaps!   Those who have flush water taken from the main water tank cannot add 'pink' to to that tank 'cos it ruins the taste of morning coffee and truly fouls up the lamb gravy,  honest wink

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2020 #11
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2020 #12

    We've noticed it this year, possibly due to all the warm weather and the van stood still for such a long time. A longish journey today has shaken more out of the system. Will give it all a good rinse out when we get home.smile

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
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    edited September 2020 #13

    I have only ever had that problem when I used the Thetford rinse.I changed to Elsan some years ago and have had no problem since.

  • NaylorC
    NaylorC Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited September 2020 #14

    Don't use too much pink fluid in the flush tank (you only need a very small amount - some people don't use any, but I prefer to use some) and when not using the loo for any period run all the pink fluid out of the flush tank and then run some water only through.

    Never had a problem if doing this.

  • Kento
    Kento Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited October 2020 #15

    My Lunar had a mod fitted a few years ago so that the flush tank could be fully drained when not in use, and I suspect the defect would have been common to most toilets as it is a Thetford unit and not unique to Lunar.   Full draining seems to help a great deal in reducing the algae build up.  So check your tank by draining then pressing the flush button to clear any residue.

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