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04-19-2018, 08:20 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Spring, TX
Posts: 50
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Black Tank regular Maintenance Question from newbie
We are about to embark on our first voyage and while I believe I have a grasp on the water system I have one question with respect to the black tank. Is there any sort of maintenance product I need to use for break-down of the content and/or smell reduction...etc?
Again, I believe I understand how to properly drain and such, but I'm asking more about if I should be using any sort of tablet or other product just while in normal 'operation' lol.
Thanks!
(Class A Tiffin Phaeton BH37)
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2018 Tiffin Phaeton 37 BH
Spring TX
New to all this....
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04-19-2018, 08:52 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ls1ashley
We are about to embark on our first voyage and while I believe I have a grasp on the water system I have one question with respect to the black tank. Is there any sort of maintenance product I need to use for break-down of the content and/or smell reduction...etc?
Again, I believe I understand how to properly drain and such, but I'm asking more about if I should be using any sort of tablet or other product just while in normal 'operation' lol.
Thanks!
(Class A Tiffin Phaeton BH37)
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Suggest you use an enzyme digester like "Happy Camper" or Unique......both available on Amazon.
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2012 Tiffin Phaeton 36 GH
2013 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 (flat towed)
Honda Pioneer 500 (UTV)
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04-19-2018, 08:56 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 3,022
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Many are sold but we don't find the need for any. We dump when needed and wash the black tank with our built in sprayer. Repeat.
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Shell Bleiweiss
2014 1/2 Thor Challenger 37KT
Sedona, AZ
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04-19-2018, 10:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,795
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Think of the system as a collection, holding and transfer rather than anything with regards to breaking down, digestion or conversion. Microbes need a lot of time and the correct conditions to establish a large enough colony capable of breaking down waste material. As such adding anything to assist in the decomposition of waste material might not be the best use of financial resources unless your tank fill rate is measure in months.
For odor control, I'm with sbleiweiss, never had a need. Dump when needed and flush out any material that did not exit the tank with the dump. Never had a problem with the level sensors either. The in tank flush nozzle solves a lot of potential problems.
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2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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04-19-2018, 12:26 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Foley, AL
Posts: 1,093
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Here what I do....
Black Tank-5 gallons of water; 1cup of liquid laundry soap (Oxy-Clean); 1/2 cup of Calgon water softener OR Borax. The soap cleans and the Calgon leaves a slick surface that will make it more difficult for solids or toilet paper to stick.
I don’t do this every single time but often. I also drop one of the little water soluble pod for odor. The pod is every time.
Also use the tank flush and leave the black open when emptying the grey so the grey will get over into the black to help flush it out.
With all this, I think my black tank is fairly clean.
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Les & Pam Warden
(Tiffin) 2017 Phaeton 40QBH; 2023 Wayfarer 25RW (coming soon)
2016 Jeep JKUS with Ready Brute Elite towbar
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04-19-2018, 04:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Tasmania now, USA/Canada/Alaska in April
Posts: 2,473
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No need for any chemicals but in hot weather you might have to be a little more careful to stand upwind when you dump.
You probably know not to sit on hookups with the black tank dump valve open all the time
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Tony Lee - International Grey Nomad. Picasa Album - Travel Map
RVs. USA - Airstream Cutter; in Australia - MC8 40' DIY Coach conversion & OKA 4x4 MH; in Germany - Hobby Class C; in S America - F350 with 2500 10.6 Bigfoot camper
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04-19-2018, 04:46 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,505
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Lots of good advice above. To avoid problems keep lots of water in the black tank.
Happy Campers is a fantastic product if you are having problems. I also occasionally use the mix of Calgon/ laundry detergent/water that Les.warden mentioned. The only thing I would add to it would be to be sure to drive with the mixture in the tanks.
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04-19-2018, 07:52 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Amory, Ms
Posts: 1,112
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And remember, it's Calgon water softener, not Calgon bath beads which is what you get when you send DW to the store!
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Roger And Kim Goodwin
bout them DAWGS!!
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04-19-2018, 08:49 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Spring, TX
Posts: 50
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Thank you all. This all has been clear and I feel 100% more prepared and knowledgeable now.
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2018 Tiffin Phaeton 37 BH
Spring TX
New to all this....
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04-19-2018, 09:51 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Pelham (Birmingham) AL
Posts: 400
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There are only about a bazillion black tank treatments that do everything from deodorize to clean to slicken the inside to you name it. There are liquids, powders, small pouches you open and pour in, water soluble pouches you just throw in, and concoctions you can mix up. Take your pick.
We use the simplest I could find. Don't remember the brand name, but it is scented (not brutally scented) and is in a water soluble pouch that comes sealed in a big zip-lock bag. I like 'em as there is nothing to measure, nothing to pour, nothing to open, nothing to spill. Who wants to spend a lot of time fiddling with the crapper?
We chose the pouches as the easiest, and less obtrusive plan. Throw one in toilet, flush in a couple of gallons of water to dissolve the thing and provide enough water to prevent "the pyramid" from getting started...
Several have suggested keeping 2-3" of water in the toilet after flushing, it makes sure no unpleasant odors creep back in and also gives you a warning when the seal starts to leak. Just remember to fully flush before you pack up or some of that water will end up on the floor.
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Bob Hyatt
2018 Tiffin Allegro 32SA
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04-20-2018, 05:15 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 132
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We have never found the need for anything in our black water tank other than not scrimping on water when flushing. As long as your vent pipe is clear odor shouldn't be an issue. On our last day on the road we use the dish soap - calgon - water method to let the twists and turns in the road remove any clingons before our final dump and storage. We do the same last day cleaning with the grey water tank as well. It can get very fragrant if the P traps dry out.
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04-20-2018, 06:22 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 22
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Go on youtube & search for RVGeeks. The best video series EVER for newbies, I feel. We've learned a ton watching their videos. They have a great one on waste tanks.
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Brad & Lisa
2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34PA/2012 Honda CRV
2013 Newmar CS3810, 2004 Tiffin 36OP
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04-20-2018, 06:40 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,723
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If you have a gravity flush toilet.......
Once you've dumped the black tank, and while running the tank flush, fill the toilet bowl completely and flush it 2-3 times. You might be surprised what it breaks up in the bottom of the black tank, particularly if you've been sitting in one spot for awhile......
And yes, we are cognizant of using plenty of water flushing and starting out with water in the tank to begin with, as well as how full the tank is when we dump.
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D&S
2024 inTech Sol Dusk
2015 Tiffin Allegro 31SA, 24k (2015-2020)
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04-20-2018, 08:25 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,119
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As you gain experience you will find what you need to do concerning grey/black water holding tanks. A majority of the responses say they don't use anything. To each his/her own. I have smelled the smell and so I always use a holding tank chemical usually bought at Walmart. They have several different brands. I buy the lowest priced one and it has always done the job of eliminating the sewer odor. I use a half measure in the grey tank to keep it clean and odor free.
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Mike and Debbie: USAF Msgt Ret, DoD Civ Ret
DAV and Good Sam Lifetime Members
2014 Allegro Open Road 36LA/2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee/2018 Cherokee Trailhawk
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