Black tank treatments.

[TXBobcat]

We never use any chemicals. The campgrounds usually have septic systems. The chemicals will harm their system. When we stay for a long time such as here over the holidays, 3 months, I dump the black tank when it starts to burp. I will rinse it a couple of times until the water starts to run clear. (I use a clear 45* connector on the drain). When we travel we stay normally two days each place. I will dump every other trip or after a weekend. I never travel with much in my black tank or gray tanks. Always use plenty of water when you deposit your solids in the toilet.

If you use oil in the water it will stay on top and when you drain the tank it will be the last to leave and if you ever clean a fry pan with oil in it, you can feel the oil become sticky. This in my opinion will cause the valves to become stickey over time.

I have tried putting the ice in the black tank to clean the sensors but this really did not help. Sensors are useless. I rely on the sound of the black tank and know how many days it normally takes to fill the kitchen gray tank. This means if I am sitting in one spot for a while I dump tanks every 5 to 7 days.

BC

 

[kowAlski631]

Thanks one & all. Just trying to separate fact from fantasy when it comes to how to get a good black tank empty. I'll pass the info on to Paul - I try not to go around when the black tank is losing its load.

 

[olcoon]

When we were volunteering for the USFS last summer in Wyoming, I tried using Unique in the black tank, and sometimes in the grey tanks. The sensors hadn't been working for a while, so I tried it. It was highly recommended by someone, (I don't remember who). I'd dump about every week, and while using the Unique, I saw very few sewer trout, and what I did see were very small. We sat in the same place for about 3 months, and the sensors did start working...sometimes. Here is their website. It cost about $13.00 a quart, and some RV stores & campgrounds have it. For the most part like the others said, when flushing I use a lot of water, and after dumping & flushing, I'll add some water.

 

[traveler44]

It just seems to me that putting ice in a tank would just chill the solids and I don't think there would be anything harder to get rid of than a load of cold stuff. When the weather is cold I use laundry detergent that is made to work in cold water. I figure it is okay to use detergent because it goes into the same hole as everybody's wash water. Tom