Regular antifreeze

[Zigmorgan]

Can I use regular antifreeze in my black tank when in a pinch?

[petefoss]

You shouldn't since it really should be disposed of as hazardous waste not just dumped into a sewer or septic system.

[ducksface]

Yes, anything is fair in an emergency.
And
You can use vodka or kerosene or diesel in the same pinch. I wouldn't use diesel or kerosene because I'm just not that kinda guy.

Maple syrup doesn't freeze until about 20° below zero Fahrenheit.
But
Unless the epa has changed something since 1998ish:
Car antifreeze is not a hazardous waste unless it contains heavy metals from being ran through an engine and radiator(typical usage). New readilyavailable walmart and auto zone antifreeze is now safe.

If someone shows new antifreeze being epa rated as hazardous waste I'll have a moderator take down this post.

And
Unless that tank is full with no headroom, a freeze isn't a problem once it thaws.
There is no need to care about a 3/4 or even 7/8 tank freezing



you said black tank and pinch7

[petefoss]

Interesting I hadn't thought about the fact that the antifreeze would be "new" not used if it was dumped and the black tank.

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by petefoss

Interesting I hadn't thought about the fact that the antifreeze would be "new" not used if it was dumped and the black tank.

I had to assume it new since he said 'in a pinch' and not 'as a penny pinch'

I also left the 1998 disclaimer in case, like coffee being dangerous, then good for you, and now bad again....

[petefoss]

Be interesting to look at the MSDS at spill cleanup procedure.

[lwmcguire]

Ethylene glycol is carbon, oxygen and hydrogen

In a sewer system it sure won't be an issue at all

Antifreeze and polyester cloth are the two main uses

Regulations due to used antifreeze are going to be possibly different by state

The area of your grey or black tank to prevent freezing are the lines right ahead of the valves

[Lt Keefer]

Never use regular antifreeze in your black tank. A quick search of the internet for the SDS for antifreeze shows it is an environmental hazard. You wouldn't be able to dump your tanks.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

Never use regular antifreeze in your black tank. A quick search of the internet for the SDS for antifreeze shows it is an environmental hazard. You wouldn't be able to dump your tanks.

Ethylene Glycol is a poison. It will kill most animals and most aerobic bacteria. Propylene glycol is not poisonous and is use in some human drugs.

[ducksface]

OK, new rule.
No mystery sentences.
Post a link so we know it's fact and not heresay heresy.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...te-good-or-bad
https://www.healthline.com/health/an...oning#get-help

My links say simply:
Don't drink from a black tank with antifreeze in it.

Now show me where it harms a sewer system and then show me where it harms a septic tank.

I promise not to drink out of the black tank if the op promises this is a one time, I'm stuck in a 30 below blizzard sort of thing, as the op suggests.

I couldn't find a bacterial link.
Edumadate me.

I do remember, before they put the bittterent in it back in the 70's, antifreeze tasted like pineapple soda. It was really really tasty. I don't suggest it. I can also tell you wd40 does not taste as good as it smells. And the smell of starting ether makes me instantly very very hungry.

Personally I like the maple syrup idea.
Your black tank will smell like someone crapped an IHOP.

[Beau388]

[QUOTE=ducksface;222999]
My links say simply:
Don't drink from a black tank with antifreeze in it.

Now show me where it harms a sewer system and then show me where it harms a septic tank. QUOTE]

A simple search produces - <https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000774.htm>


From the EPA Septic tank guidelines -

<https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-10/documents/rv-wastewater.pdf>

[cavie]

No need for anything in the black tank. Just empty it. If there is something in it there is plenty of room for expansion and nothing to break. Well except for a log or two.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by cavie

No need for anything in the black tank. Just empty it. If there is something in it there is plenty of room for expansion and nothing to break. Well except for a log or two.

In the tank maybe, but depending on how the drain is configured you may be in danger of cracking the exit piping. Remember, freezing liquids expand in ALL directions. Do you really want to chance having to make a repair on the black tank drain piping?

[Zigmorgan]

Originally Posted by ducksface

OK, new rule.
No mystery sentences.
Post a link so we know it's fact and not heresay heresy.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...te-good-or-bad
https://www.healthline.com/health/an...oning#get-help

My links say simply:
Don't drink from a black tank with antifreeze in it.

Now show me where it harms a sewer system and then show me where it harms a septic tank.

I promise not to drink out of the black tank if the op promises this is a one time, I'm stuck in a 30 below blizzard sort of thing, as the op suggests.

I couldn't find a bacterial link.
Edumadate me.

I do remember, before they put the bittterent in it back in the 70's, antifreeze tasted like pineapple soda. It was really really tasty. I don't suggest it. I can also tell you wd40 does not taste as good as it smells. And the smell of starting ether makes me instantly very very hungry.

Personally I like the maple syrup idea.
Your black tank will smell like someone crapped an IHOP.

Yes this is just an emergency question. Haven’t had to do it. But was wondering about the ability to do so if I get caught in a bad way.

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by Zigmorgan

Yes this is just an emergency question. Haven’t had to do it. But was wondering about the ability to do so if I get caught in a bad way.

Those of us who read yours as the emergency situation you propose understand the difference between habitual and one time emergency.
Those of us on a septic tank understand the risks of rinsing our dishes in bleach and using toilet cleanser, yet we do it.

Just don't drink from the black tank you've added antifreeze to.
If you do drink from the maple syrup'd black tank, report back to us.

I took the time to read the epa pdf link provided. It says, as a sideline, to BEWARE of antifreeze in a septic system. It does not prohibit its use, does not define the exact risk, nor says it's a hazardous material. The document does not mention any prohibitive law.

[lwmcguire]

Well as you all can imagine Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen are going to be a huge issue in septic tanks

We have to look at a real situation where there might be a couple gallons into a minimum of a thousand which changes the toxicity

A lot of house plants are hazardous to your health but we typically don't eat them

A lot of regulations are written for worse case situations and for job creation as well

Just use a bit of common sense in everything we do will go a long way

Not against regulations at all but we are sure over regulated in many areas

[capeharj]

Why would you even think about auto antifreeze? You can get RV antifreeze at the same place at half the price. and no worries.

[TLeenhouts]

One teaspoon of Ethylene Glycol will kill a dog. It takes TWO teaspoons of Propylene Glycol to kill a dog. They are both poisonous. In the old days the saying was:"The solution to polution is dilution." Yeah, RV antifreeze, which is Propylene Glycol, is way cheaper.

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by TLeenhouts

One teaspoon of Ethylene Glycol will kill a dog. It takes TWO teaspoons of Propylene Glycol to kill a dog. They are both poisonous. In the old days the saying was:"The solution to polution is dilution." Yeah, RV antifreeze, which is Propylene Glycol, is way cheaper.

We're having a bit of rule here due to some people being way wrong and those people needing facts to sway them.

Post a link.
Dog covers a lot.
I'm sure there's a proof somewhere.

[MJC62]

Ok here's the fix for the black tank. If your in a pinch, pour in a gallon of corn liquor. Most of it tastes like crap anyway...….