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Water tank maintenance means keeping each tank on an RV clean and odor free: dose the fresh water tank so drinking water stays fresh, flush the grey tank so sink and shower water drains without smell, and digest the black tank so waste and paper break down instead of building up. The treatments below cover each tank, and the steps that follow show when each one goes in. Every figure below comes from the Amazon listings.
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The quick answer
Dose the fresh water tank with a freshener at 1 oz per 20 gallons, pour a grey tank deodorizer into a sink or shower drain, and add a black tank digester at 2 oz per use. Camco TastePURE and STAR BRITE AQUA treat fresh water at 1 oz per 20 gallons, and a 16 oz bottle of Camco treats up to 320 gallons. Walex Elemonate (on Amazon) handles the grey tank with a lemon scent, and ACTIVE handles the black tank with 16 uses in a 32 oz bottle. The steps below put each treatment in order.
Step 1: Dose the fresh water tank
Fill the fresh water tank, then add the freshener at the stated dose. Camco TastePURE takes 1 oz per 20 gallons, and a 16 oz bottle treats up to 320 gallons. STAR BRITE AQUA takes 1 fluid ounce per 20 gallons and can be used as often as needed. Camco lists its freshener for drinking, cooking and cleaning water, and suggests combining it with a Tastepure RV water filter (40043). STAR BRITE lists its treatment for boats, RVs and all potable water systems, and for bathing water and ice as well.
| Treatment | Tank | Dose | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camco TastePURE | Fresh water | 1 oz per 20 gallons | |
| STAR BRITE AQUA | Fresh water | 1 fluid ounce per 20 gallons | |
| Walex Elemonate | Grey water | Pour into drain, no dose stated | |
| ACTIVE | Black and grey | 2 oz per use |
Step 2: Keep the grey tank fresh
Grey water from sinks and showers carries food and soap into the grey tank, and odor builds up between uses. Walex Elemonate pours into the sink or shower drain with water and targets odor-causing buildup in galley sinks, bathroom sinks, shower drains and holding tanks. It leaves a fresh lemon scent and is formaldehyde-free and bronopol-free. A 32 oz bottle pours in as needed, with no dose stated on the listing.
Step 3: Digest the black tank
The black tank holds toilet waste, paper and sludge, and a digester breaks that down so the tank drains clean. ACTIVE takes 2 oz poured into the camper toilet or tank and flushed, with 16 uses in a 32 oz bottle. Its enzymes and bacteria digest toilet paper, waste, tissue, grease and sludge, and the formula maintains sensor probes and helps prevent clogs and pyramid plugs. It works with black and grey water tanks in RVs, campers, marine, porta potty and cassette toilets.
Step 4: Flush the whole system when smells persist
When odors or tastes persist after dosing, the listings point to a stronger step. STAR BRITE lists AQUA Water Shock for unpleasant odors or tastes and AQUA Water Tank and System Flush for a thorough cleaning and deodorizing of the entire fresh water system. Camco suggests combining its freshener with a Tastepure RV water filter (40043) for fresher water. Check the dose on each bottle before adding it, and use the treatment matched to the tank.
Water tank maintenance gear
Each step above needs a treatment matched to its tank: a freshener for the fresh water tank, a deodorizer for the grey tank and a digester for the black tank.
| # | Product | Solar Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Camco TastePURE Freshener | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  STAR BRITE AQUA Treatment | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  ACTIVE Black Tank Treatment | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |  Walex Elemonate Deodorizer | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Camco TastePURE Freshener
A 16 oz fresh water freshener that treats 20 gallons per ounce and keeps RV drinking water fresh.
Pros
- 1 oz treats 20 gallons, up to 320 gallons per bottle
- Prevents algae and slime build up in the drinking water tank
- Rids odors and bad tastes for drinking, cooking and cleaning
- Simple to use: measure, add to the freshwater tank
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Fresh water only; does not treat grey or black tanks
- Needs measuring for each dose
- Filter sold separately for the freshest water
Detailed Review
The listing states a 16 oz bottle of TastePURE drinking water freshener, with 1 oz treating 20 gallons, so a bottle delivers up to 320 gallons of treated water. It prevents algae and slime build up in a drinking water tank and rids odors and bad tastes. The maker lists it for drinking, cooking and cleaning water, and suggests combining it with a Tastepure RV water filter (40043). The spec table gives a 1.0-pound weight and a 2.0 by 2.0 by 9.0 inch size. No warranty term is stated.
Who it's for: RV and camper owners who want a simple dose for the fresh water tank on every trip. Who should skip it: owners who need a grey or black tank treatment, which this freshener does not cover.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 32/35, build 21/25, value 21/25, safety 5/10 and warranty 0/5: 79 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Dose | 1 oz treats 20 gallons |
| Treats | Up to 320 gallons per bottle |
| Weight | 1.0 pounds |
Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Drinking water freshener for potable RV water tanks, so safety scores 5 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
STAR BRITE AQUA Treatment
A 16 oz water treatment and freshener for potable water systems in boats and RVs.
Pros
- 1 fluid ounce treats 20 gallons of water
- Isolates and deactivates chlorine and sulfur
- Can be used as often as needed
- Suits boats, RVs and all potable water systems
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No stated total gallons per bottle
- Stronger odors need a separate shock product
- No stated shelf life or storage guidance
Detailed Review
The listing states a 16 oz bottle of AQUA Water Treatment and Freshener for potable water systems in boats and RVs, with 1 fluid ounce treating 20 gallons of water. The water soluble formula isolates and deactivates chlorine and sulfur, the most common causes of smelly, bad tasting water. It can be used as often as needed for bathing, drinking water and ice. For stronger odors the maker points to AQUA Water Shock, and for a full system clean to AQUA Water Tank and System Flush. The spec table gives a 2.5 by 2.5 by 8.0 inch size. No warranty term is stated.
Who it's for: boat and RV owners who want a freshener for drinking water that also handles chlorine and sulfur. Who should skip it: owners with a grey or black tank odor problem, which needs a different treatment.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 21/25, value 20/25, safety 6/10 and warranty 0/5: 77 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 16 oz |
|---|---|
| Dose | 1 fluid ounce treats 20 gallons |
| Use | Boats, RVs and all potable water systems |
| Size in | 2.5 x 2.5 x 8.0 in |
Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Water soluble formula that isolates and deactivates chlorine and sulfur, so safety scores 6 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
ACTIVE Black Tank Treatment
A 32 oz black tank treatment with 16 uses that digests waste and maintains sensor probes.
Pros
- 16 uses in a 32 oz bottle
- Enzymes and bacteria digest toilet paper, waste, grease and sludge
- Maintains sensor probes and helps prevent clogs and pyramid plugs
- CA compliant ingredients, safe for campgrounds and septic systems
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Black and grey tanks only; not a fresh water treatment
- Liquid formula needs measuring for each dose
- No stated shelf life in the listing
Detailed Review
The listing states a 32 oz bottle with 16 uses, dosed at 2 oz poured into the camper toilet or tank and flushed. Enzymes and bacteria digest and liquefy toilet paper, waste, tissue, grease and sludge, and the formula maintains sensor probes and helps prevent clogs and pyramid plugs. It works with black and grey water tanks in RVs, campers, marine, porta potty and cassette toilets, and uses CA compliant chemical ingredients. No warranty term is stated.
Who it's for: RV owners who want a black tank digester that also keeps sensor probes reading. Who should skip it: owners who only need a fresh water freshener, which this black tank treatment does not provide.
Its Solar Score of 9.6/10 comes from performance 30/35, build 20/25, value 21/25, safety 5/10 and warranty 0/5: 76 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 32 oz |
|---|---|
| Uses | 16 uses |
| Dose | 2 oz per use |
| Tanks | Black and grey water tanks |
Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. CA compliant chemical ingredients, safe for campgrounds and septic systems, so safety scores 5 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
Walex Elemonate Deodorizer
A 32 oz grey water tank deodorizer with a fresh lemon scent for sinks and shower drains.
Pros
- Fresh lemon scent for grey tanks, sinks and shower drains
- Targets and dissolves odor-causing buildup
- Formaldehyde-free and bronopol-free
- Pour-in use with no measuring step stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Grey water only; not for fresh or black tanks
- No stated dose per use
- No stated total uses per 32 oz bottle
Detailed Review
The listing states a 32 oz bottle of Elemonate grey water tank deodorizer with a fresh lemon scent. It targets and dissolves odor-causing buildup in galley sinks, bathroom sinks, shower drains and holding tanks, and is poured into the sink or shower drain with water. The formula is formaldehyde-free and bronopol-free. The spec table gives a 2.0-pound weight and an 8.0 by 5.25 by 2.0 inch size. No warranty term is stated.
Who it's for: RV and boat owners who want a lemon-scented deodorizer for grey tanks, sinks and shower drains. Who should skip it: owners who need a fresh water treatment or a black tank digester.
Its Solar Score of 9.5/10 comes from performance 28/35, build 20/25, value 19/25, safety 6/10 and warranty 0/5: 73 of 100 points, placed on our 9.2 to 9.8 scale.
Key Specifications
| Size | 32 oz |
|---|---|
| Scent | Fresh lemon |
| Use | Grey tanks, sinks and shower drains |
| Weight | 2.0 pounds |
Taken from the seller's listing on 13 November 2026. Capacity and output figures are rated by the manufacturer.
Safety and Warranty
What this listing states. Formaldehyde-free and bronopol-free treatment, so safety scores 6 of 10. No warranty term, so warranty scores zero. See How We Pick.
Follow the manual. Connect and use the product as the maker describes, stay within every stated rating, and read the manual before first use.
This is general buying information, not professional advice. Follow each product manual and local rules, and see our Safety Disclaimer.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ways to keep the tanks fresh between trips
- Dose the fresh water tank at 1 oz per 20 gallons before each trip, so the water starts fresh.
- Pour Walex Elemonate into a sink or shower drain between uses to keep the grey tank smelling fresher.
- Add ACTIVE at 2 oz per use and flush, so the black tank digests waste instead of building sludge.
- Use STAR BRITE AQUA as often as needed when the water starts to taste or smell off.
FAQ: power away from the grid
How much freshener treats a fresh water tank?
Camco TastePURE takes 1 oz per 20 gallons, and so does STAR BRITE AQUA. A 16 oz bottle of Camco treats up to 320 gallons.
What is the grey tank for?
The grey tank holds dirty water from sinks and showers. Walex Elemonate targets odor-causing buildup in those drains and tanks.
How does a black tank treatment work?
ACTIVE uses enzymes and bacteria to digest toilet paper, waste, tissue, grease and sludge. It takes 2 oz per use, with 16 uses in a 32 oz bottle.
Can a fresh water freshener go in the grey tank?
The listings do not state that. Camco TastePURE and STAR BRITE AQUA are listed for drinking water systems, and Walex Elemonate is listed for grey water systems.
Related solar guides
See the how to clean an RV water tank, the RV water heater maintenance, the best RV shower head filter for hard water and the camping gear for beginners.
