Finally ditched the black tank: my dry loo journey

I’ve always wondered about fiberglass mesh in high-sun spots. Mine started to get brittle after a year, but it was the cheap stuff from the hardware store, so maybe that’s on me. Stainless is pricey, but I get why folks want the peace of mind. With ducting, I did something similar - used leftover foam pipe wrap and it’s held up fine so far, though I’m in a pretty humid area. Ever had issues with critters chewing through the mesh? That’s been my main headache, especially in spring when everything’s looking for a way in...

Ever had issues with critters chewing through the mesh? That’s been my main headache, especially in spring when everything’s looking for a way in...

- Fiberglass mesh in direct sun is basically a countdown to disappointment. Even the “good” stuff gets brittle after a couple seasons, especially if you’re anywhere with real UV. I’ve seen it crumble just from being looked at funny.
- Stainless is expensive, yeah, but you’re paying for not having to redo it every year. I’ve tried the “middle ground” aluminum mesh too - lasted longer than fiberglass but still got chewed up by squirrels. They treat it like an appetizer.
- Critters are relentless. Mice and chipmunks will chew through almost anything that isn’t metal. I’ve even seen them gnaw through foam pipe wrap like it’s a snack bar. If you’re in a humid area, watch for mold on that foam too - had a customer call me out once because their “insulation” turned into a science experiment.
- For ducting, I’m skeptical about foam wraps holding up long-term if there’s any chance of condensation or leaks. Once water gets in, it’s game over - mold city and then the critters move in for the buffet.
- If you want peace of mind and less maintenance, stainless mesh is the way to go. Pricey up front, but you’ll forget about it after install (unless you like climbing ladders every spring).
- One trick: double up on mesh at entry points - stainless outside, cheap stuff inside as a backup. Not foolproof, but slows down the determined ones.

Honestly, nothing’s 100% critter-proof if they’re motivated enough...but stainless at least makes them work for it. And yeah, springtime is always when they get creative - had one raccoon rip off an entire vent cover once just to see what was inside.

Yeah, critters are just on another level when they want in. I’ve seen mice squeeze through gaps I didn’t even know existed, and squirrels will chew through almost anything if they’re determined. Stainless mesh really is the only thing I’ve seen hold up long-term, even if it stings a bit at checkout. The double mesh trick is smart - gives you a little more time before they break through.

I get what you mean about foam pipe wrap too. Once it gets wet, it’s basically a buffet for mold and critters. Had to pull out a bunch of soggy insulation last year - nasty job. Honestly, you’re doing the right thing thinking ahead about all this. It’s a pain now, but way less hassle down the road. Spring’s always the worst for surprises... seems like every year there’s a new “creative” entry point to deal with. Hang in there, you’re not alone in the battle!

Had a possum chew through my vent stack once - never thought I’d see the day. Stainless mesh saved me a second round, but yeah, that stuff’s not cheap. I’ve found even the tiniest gap behind a pipe can turn into a critter highway if you’re not careful. Foam wrap’s just asking for trouble in damp spots, especially under a rig. Every spring, I brace myself for what I’ll find under the floor... sometimes it’s just a mess of shredded insulation and sometimes it’s worse. Wouldn’t trade the dry loo setup, though - less plumbing, fewer leaks, and way less to attract the wildlife.

That possum story made me wince - I had a squirrel chew through a flex duct once and it was a whole ordeal. You’re spot on about foam wrap; it’s basically critter bait if there’s any moisture. Stainless mesh is pricey, but honestly, I’d rather pay upfront than deal with another infestation. The dry loo’s been a game changer for me too - less plumbing means less stress. Spring inspections are always a gamble, but at least there’s less to go wrong now.

Stainless mesh is worth every penny, honestly. I tried patching with hardware cloth one year and the mice just found a way around it. Dry loo’s been a solid upgrade for me too - no more worrying about cracked seals or mystery leaks. Curious, do you do anything special for odor control, or has it been a non-issue? I’ve heard mixed things depending on the setup.

I hear you on the hardware cloth - mice are like tiny ninjas. Stainless mesh is the only thing that’s held up for me too. As for odor, I was a little paranoid at first and went overboard with sawdust, but honestly, it hasn’t been bad at all. Maybe it depends on what you’re using to cover? I tried coco coir for a bit, but it got expensive fast, so now I just stick with plain wood shavings from the feed store.

One thing I did notice: if you slack off on emptying the bin, you’ll know real quick. But as long as I stay on top of it, no issues. I’ve heard people swear by adding a scoop of charcoal, but I haven’t bothered - maybe that’s overkill unless you’re in a super humid spot. Have you had any surprises with yours, or is it pretty much set-and-forget?

You nailed it with the mice - those little guys are relentless. Stainless mesh is the only thing that’s lasted for me too. I went through the same sawdust paranoia phase, but it’s wild how much just staying consistent with emptying makes a difference. Tried charcoal once, but honestly, I couldn’t tell if it helped or not. Maybe it’s more of a peace-of-mind thing. For me, as long as I don’t get lazy, it’s pretty much set-and-forget. It’s weirdly satisfying when something just works, isn’t it?

Charcoal never really did much for me either, but I actually had better luck with baking soda. Maybe it’s just placebo, but the smell seemed less intense. I do think the “set-and-forget” part only works if you’re super regular with emptying - one lazy weekend and it’s game over.

I do think the “set-and-forget” part only works if you’re super regular with emptying - one lazy weekend and it’s game over.

Yeah, that’s the truth. I learned the hard way that “set-and-forget” is more like “set-and-remember-every-darn-Saturday-morning.” Miss a day or two, and suddenly you’re playing catch-up with the smell. Baking soda’s been my go-to as well - charcoal just felt like an overpriced science experiment that never really paid off for me. Maybe I was using the wrong kind? Either way, the baking soda is cheap, easy, and I swear it actually does something.

I do think there’s a bit of a learning curve with dry loos. At first, I was all gung-ho about the “no maintenance!” aspect, but reality hit when I got lazy after a camping trip. Came home, opened the lid, and… let’s just say I lost my appetite for a while. Now I just treat it like any other chore - pair it with watering the plants or something, so I don’t forget.

One thing I will say: I’ve found adding a handful of sawdust after each use makes a world of difference. It’s not just about the smell, either - the texture helps with composting down the line. Plus, it feels a bit more “old school,” which I kind of like. Maybe that’s just me romanticizing the whole thing, but hey, if it works…

Anyway, I totally get the “placebo” thing, but honestly, if it makes the experience less gross, who cares if it’s psychological or not? I’ll take any trick that makes the process less of a hassle.

Baking soda’s been my go-to as well - charcoal just felt like an overpriced science experiment that never really paid off for me.

Funny, I actually had the opposite experience. The right kind of activated charcoal (the stuff meant for air filters, not aquarium grade) made a noticeable difference for me, but it took some trial and error. Baking soda was fine, but it clumped up after a while and didn’t seem to last as long. Maybe it’s just the humidity where I live? Either way, totally agree on the sawdust - game changer for composting and odor. I do think “set-and-forget” is a bit of a myth unless you’re super disciplined, though.

- Gotta say, I’m in the “baking soda clumps up” camp too. Especially in summer, it turns into these weird little rocks. Not ideal.
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“The right kind of activated charcoal (the stuff meant for air filters, not aquarium grade) made a noticeable difference for me, but it took some trial and error.”

Sawdust really does the trick for me too - never had much luck with baking soda, and yeah, the clumping is a pain once it gets humid. I tried charcoal for a bit, but honestly, it felt like I was just dumping money into the loo without much payoff. Maybe I just didn’t stick with it long enough, but sawdust’s free and easy to get from my neighbor’s shop, so I don’t see myself switching.

Ash mixed in is solid advice if you’ve got a wood stove going anyway. Just gotta keep it balanced or the whole thing turns into a gray mess. Maintenance is definitely not optional - skip a day and the smell reminds you real fast.

Peat moss never worked for me either. Always ended up with this soggy mess that made emptying way worse. Sawdust’s been the only thing that keeps things dry and manageable in my setup.

Sawdust really is the MVP for this kind of thing, especially when you’re trying to keep costs down. I’ve tried peat moss too - total mess, and honestly, not worth the hassle. Charcoal always seemed like overkill to me, price-wise. If you can get sawdust for free, why complicate it? Maintenance is a pain, but at least it’s predictable. You’re not alone with the trial and error... seems like everyone has to find their own groove with these setups.

If you can get sawdust for free, why complicate it? Maintenance is a pain, but at least it’s predictable.

That’s been my experience, too. I started out overthinking the whole thing - tried fancy mixes and even added biochar at one point. Honestly, the result wasn’t any better than plain old sawdust. I get mine from a local mill, usually just sweepings, and it works like a charm. Only real curveball was once getting a batch that smelled a bit off... turned out to be cedar, which was a little too strong for my liking. Lesson learned: ask what wood it is first.

Yeah, I’ve run into the cedar issue too - stuff was way too strong and actually made my eyes water a bit. I stick to pine or poplar now, just to be safe. One thing I’d add is to watch for nails or staples in the sawdust if you’re getting it from a mill. I found a couple of sharp bits once and it made me rethink how I handle the bin. Not fun. Maintenance is predictable, but I still wear gloves just in case... never hurts to be a little careful.

- Good call on the gloves - those stray staples are no joke.
- I’ve had the same issue with cedar, it’s just too much for me. Pine seems to work best, and it’s usually easier to find anyway.
- Maintenance is definitely manageable once you get a routine down.
- Honestly, ditching the black tank was one of my better decisions. Way less hassle overall, even if you have to be a bit careful with what goes in the bin.
- Just gotta stay alert for those hidden surprises in the sawdust... learned that the hard way myself.

Just gotta stay alert for those hidden surprises in the sawdust... learned that the hard way myself.

That’s a lesson I picked up early too - one rogue nail and you’re rethinking your whole process. On the pine vs. cedar debate, I’ve found pine not only easier to source but also less likely to trigger allergies for folks. As for maintenance, once you standardize your cleaning schedule and keep a checklist, it’s honestly pretty straightforward. The key is consistency - skip a week and things get messy fast. Ditching the black tank really does cut down on headaches, though I still double-bag just in case.

once you standardize your cleaning schedule and keep a checklist, it’s honestly pretty straightforward

That’s mostly true, but I’ll admit I still get tripped up if I try to skip steps or rush through. Pine’s been my go-to as well, though I’ve noticed it can get musty faster than cedar if the humidity spikes. Double-bagging is smart - had one bad leak last summer and I’m not eager to repeat that mess. Consistency really does make all the difference, but I still keep a backup plan just in case things go sideways.

Honestly, I’d push back a bit on pine or cedar being the only options - have you tried hemp hurds? They absorb way better for me and don’t get that weird musty smell, even when it’s muggy. Less packaging waste too. Double-bagging just feels like overkill if your bin seals right.