How long does Aqua Kem last?

[Guest Bill]

I recentlty spent a few days away, set up the Thetford before I left, but ended up using the site loos, so the chemicals are still "virginal". How long will they last? Or, to ask the same question another way, how long will it remain useable; how long before I should chuck it out and replace it?

[Guest ALAN G]

I think that your chemicals neat or diluted will last longer than your van. However what you may find is that the malodours from any preused toilet system may give the impression that the chemicals are at fault. The modern Thetford is an uncleanable engineering disaster. That's why the sell very expensive specialist cleaning fluid to be used two or three times a year. And that doesn't work. For many years we used a Racasan Paragon toilet-a bucket type with a sealed lid. There was no flushing water with even more expensive chemicals but the surface was at times unsightly. The blue chemical was the same as you use for the Thetford. The Racasan was a "joy" to empty and keep clean. And it could be kept clean. You could see every surface. Not like the Thetford with its hidden bowels. Your chemicals will keep for your next trip. I always keep the toilet primed and ready for use..even if its likely to be next year.

[Guest David Powell]

My word Alan, the old Racasan brings back some good old memories. Commonly known a the "Bucket & chuck it" or as my Mrs called it "The splash & dash" But as you say, they scrubbed up nice and clean and no stale odours. As far as I know the 'Blue' has no shelf live problems, it so happens that I was cleaning out the garage [rare event] and I found half a can of blue of undeterminal age and it has been working fine all this year. So Bill,I don't think you need worry about the potency of your blue.

[Guest Derek Uzzell]

I agree with Alan G about AquaKem not 'going off' but not about cleaning Thetford cassettes. Thetford advise using a citric-acid solution and this is very effective for removing the residue that builds up on the cassette's interior surfaces. It does need doing regularly however - at least once per season, but preferably after each long trip. If done properly, it also minimises the chance of the seals leaking. I think the citric-acid process is described on Tehetford's website and is probably in the forum's archives somewhere.

[Guest ALAN G]

My van is four years old. I bought it a year ago. I don't know whether the previous owner cleaned the tank with a special prepation, citric or otherwise. I have twice used Thetfords (expensive} Tank Cleaner and the residue of scale, that I can see, on the lid sealing mechanism has not dissolved. I have no idea what the state of the rest of the internal organs are like. I have no intention of dismantling the various parts to find out! Hopefully the use of Blue chemical, in which I have great faith, will prevent too many bugs attacking us. As I said previously I have little faith in the over engineered and over priced mecahanisms that replaced the sealed cover to my good old Racasan. Also does anyone know why we need that expensive pink stuff to add to the flush water? It doubles the cost of "spending penny"

[Guest David]

Bill/Alan.G We have one of the new engineering disaters as you call it. When emptying it give it a good flush out and it stays clean inside, it takes a few minutes and needs two or three flushes. As for the Pink stuff you do not need it, it is only a bowl cleaner, we used a casstes for years before the pink stuff came on the market. Now we have a new one that flushes drawing water from the main inboard tank we cannot add flushing agent. I have put some in a spray bottle diluted and just spray the pan with it, a large container of that lasts quite some time. I usualy by the chemicals from Makro and its a lot cheaper than from caravan dealers. David

[Guest David Powell]

I think I may have mentioned this before, In lieu of expensive pink flush, the pan can be kept nice and clean by spraying it with a bumper shiner like 'Back to black' when ever it is cleaned and dry. As you all know, nothing much will stick to that. Plus it keeps the shutter nice and free.

[Guest Tony S]

Fit a SOG system now (about £100) and forgo adding expensive and dangerous chemicals for ever more!!!!!

[Guest Bill]

Thanks to all for your replies. Tony, from the tone of your posting I assume you are a fan of SOG. I’ve looked at them and thought that a) you can buy a lot of Aqua-Kem for £100 b) it is yet another load on the leisure battery c) it is just something else to break down – probably at the worst possible moment If I am wrong, please tell me