Black Water Tank Between Trips

[rideandslide]

Since we both still work we only use our TT maybe 2 or 3 trips a summer. Whats the best way to leave the black water tanks between trips ? i'm always sure to flush it out good when we return, but should some water and chemical be left in untill the next trip ???
Thanks Jim

[OSP1268]

We use our MH a bit more than you use your TT. But when we are not using it I always make sure to rinse out and flush the tank very well prior to coming home. Then I run about 5 gallons of water into the tank and add a double dose of Happy Camper - Odorless Holding Tank Treatment Black and Grey Water I have always done it this way when we had our 5th wheel and several TT and never had a problem.

[al2ride]

During camping season we only empty ours if it's above 1/2 way full. Same goes for gray. We've never had issues with smell even while traveling. Sanitize both on the last park before going into hibernation.

[DanFromGC]

I'm kind of new too, so curious what others say. Last year we flushed it out thoroughly each time, and then dumped a couple gallons of water in with a dissolvable pack between trips. That kept things smelling fresh for the next trip. However, at the end of the season we bought a clear elbow connector for the black hose. We learned that we were not rinsing it out nearly enough. There was a lot more coming out when we thought it was clear/empty. So, rinse it longer than you think it needs to be safe.

[palehorse89]

Hi Jim, I quit using chemicals years ago, I just use a lot of water all the time, keep a fair level in the tank as so not to start a "mound" of waste in the tank. I believe the chemicals are hard on the rubber seals on the knife blades on the dump valves, since I quit using chemicals and changed out my dump valves, they still work smooth and with no problems. From time to time, I use dawn dish soap or joy dish soap in the toilet and then flush it into the tank to clean and freshen the tank up.

[RickO]

I would suggest pretty much doing what you're doing.

Personally, I wouldn't leave any black water in the tank. Dump and flush well and then I'd add several gallons of water along with a 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid.

Rick

[vsheetz]

We dump on the way home. Add a few gallons of water along with chemical treatment of your choice.

[al2ride]

Originally Posted by RickO

I would suggest pretty much doing what you're doing.

Personally, I wouldn't leave any black water in the tank. Dump and flush well and then I'd add several gallons of water along with a 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid.

Rick

Hi Rick, what's the reason for not leaving black water in the tank? We've always done it that way. We don't use any chemicals in the tank. The only thing that goes in the tank poo, pee, and water. We use a diaper trash can for the rest. Whenever is 1/2 or above we dump it and everything is pretty much liquefied. Just want to make sure we haven't been doing it wrong.

[RanCarr]

At the end of a trip DH flushes the black tank using both the flush thing it came with and then sticks the hose, full pressure, down the commode. The clear elbow shows the flusher doesn't clean the tank nearly as well as the hose down the toilet bowl. We don't put any chemicals in the black tank anymore since we realized they're not necessary.

[chaps2018]

In the texas summer heat our black tank gets nasty. I always use chems, dump every time. After dumping I flush if possible (I backflush w/camco backflush valve). 3 fills/drains usually gets me to clear water w/no toilet tissue and EMPTY on the status panel. This takes me approx 30min at the dump station.

If there is someone behind me I will just dump and add 5gal water and some chems and leave.

[chaps2018]

Regarding chemicals, my chem of choice is walex port a pak dropins. They control the odor very well. BUT I have found after a few years the black valve is getting very difficult to open and close. As was mentioned earlier, I believe those chems are hard on the valve seals. I say this since the gray valve (liquid chems) is still very smooth.

In an effort to prevent further damage, I...

1)do not use chems in an empty tank-just water to slosh around to clean the sensors
2) I use cocolube (camco) on the black tank. 2oz/tank
3) use the high powered walex chems in the summer and use a liquid chem (camco orange stuff) for fall, winter,spring camping.

I have a sealed underbelly so dont really want to change a valve if I can avoid it

[lgarcia]

I was using water and detergent until one trip with terrible smells. That will be the last time I do that combo..

The camp store had Potty Toddy tabs 6@$7 and I used double doses - in my case two tablets instead of one tablet. Dumped and flushed thoroughly after that trip.

Now, I always add two gallons and a tablet after final dump or a tablet if we are at a full hookup after each dump of the black tank. No issues ever since.

Cheaper if bought in 50 tablet quantities and worth it not to sleep with that smell.

[Statgeek]

I dump our black tank, rinse it until the water flows clear, then for storage between trips I use the geo method..approx 1 cup of calgon liquid, 1 cup of cheap laundry liquid detergent, and a couple of gallons of water. during our next trip it sloshes all around in there and cleans the tank. the calgon makes the tank walls slippery so stuff doesn't stick to it as much, and as a bonus, the combination of the cheap laundry detergent and calgon tends to make the bathroom smell NICE!

[RickO]

Originally Posted by al2ride

Hi Rick, what's the reason for not leaving black water in the tank? We've always done it that way. We don't use any chemicals in the tank. The only thing that goes in the tank poo, pee, and water. We use a diaper trash can for the rest. Whenever is 1/2 or above we dump it and everything is pretty much liquefied. Just want to make sure we haven't been doing it wrong.

I'm not sure there is a valid "technical" reason for wanting to flush and clean my black tank when putting it in storage. It just makes me feel better to know that things aren't settling to the bottom and "getting hard" in there.

Rick