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Old 10-21-2016, 10:18 PM   #1
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Cleaning the black tank with grey tank water

I was thinking about connecting a garden hose from the sewage tank cap to the black tank flush inlet, to clean an empty black tank without wasting fresh water. Would that work
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Old 10-22-2016, 12:14 AM   #2
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My black tank flush needs to have pressurized water. If you want to recycle gray water, catch a 5 gallon bucket of water and pour it down the commode with toilet valve open.
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Old 10-22-2016, 12:50 AM   #3
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X2^^ I think you'll find you need more pressure than just gravity. Usually the back flow preventer / anti syphon device is higher than both the tanks in question.
Plus there are spray nozzles (in tank) that you might risk clogging with all but the purest gray water. Not worth the risk IMO.
I've witnessed someone using a third valve fitting on the bayonet outlet before slinky. Close it. Then letting a portion (several gallons) of a full grey tank flow into the open black, close the grey, then letting the third valve drain. YMMV.


Best of luck.
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Old 10-22-2016, 07:06 AM   #4
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I think you would also be taking a chance of clogging the spray nozzle and the anti siphon valve. If you wash dishes I don't see any way there won't be some participles in the gray tank water. Plus I think the gray tank water usually has a bad odor anyway.
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Old 10-22-2016, 12:48 PM   #5
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If you feel a need to do this just collect a bucket or two of your grey water and dump it down the toilet. You'll create more force of loosening 'things' with this method than with a hose. That bucket of water will go with force at the exact spot everything in your black tank goes. Plus, less chance of contamination with the hose you're using/storing and with black tank stuff getting into your grey tank.

Unless your black tank is clogged there's really no reason to try and clean it. Just let it go through its intended cycle of filling/draining. You will never get it sanitized and absolutely clean.
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Old 10-22-2016, 08:31 PM   #6
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I have the SaniCon macerator on my coach and what you want to do is a simple thing with the SaniCon......just open both valves once the black tank is empty. I often do this 2-3 times (allow tanks to equalize and then dump he black. Works great when there is no water when dumping.
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Old 10-22-2016, 08:56 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnTrek View Post
I've witnessed someone using a third valve fitting on the bayonet outlet before slinky. Close it. Then letting a portion (several gallons) of a full grey tank flow into the open black, close the grey, then letting the third valve drain. YMMV.


Best of luck.
I do this with a clear adapter and it works well. Helps remove solids that have settled.
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Old 10-23-2016, 07:45 AM   #8
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Note that the Sanicon "equalize" that Don described is somewhat different than using the flush inlet. The Sanicon just lets the gray flow back up the dump outlet until the fluid levels in the two tanks are the same. No pressure, but it does [potentially] put enough fluid in the black tank to give it an extra half-dump.

You don't actually need the Sanicon to do this, but it's a neater solution that way. Without it, you can simply close the dump outlet (cap or a second 3" valve) and then open the gray & black dump valves so water can flow between the two tanks. You probably only want to do this after the black has been dumped. Plus,the gray should probably be at least half full to get much effect, since only about half the gray water will migrate to the black tank.
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Old 10-23-2016, 08:11 AM   #9
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As mentioned if your tanks are on the same level, most are. Sanicon or third valve work, make sure the grey is full, mine is usually full of wash water nice and soapy . Empty black tank then shut 3rd valve , open grey it flows up into black. Shut off grey open 3rd valve black empties. The grey tank having much larger volumes allows several flushed like this. Then I prime black with grey soapy water, finally drain last of grey water to flush out hose. My Sanicon had instructions how to do this. Shutting off Sanicon is same as closing 3rd valve. Fresh water is a resource the next generation is going to valve.
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Old 10-26-2016, 07:39 PM   #10
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my Alfa has this third valve and two electric ones for black and grey.. the black tank is below the grey so after i dump the black i close the third valve and fill the black with about half of grey then dump that one again then dump balance of grey.. i really like that.. i also have water wand in black tank but dont use it every time if waiting line...


Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnTrek View Post
X2^^ I think you'll find you need more pressure than just gravity. Usually the back flow preventer / anti syphon device is higher than both the tanks in question.
Plus there are spray nozzles (in tank) that you might risk clogging with all but the purest gray water. Not worth the risk IMO.
I've witnessed someone using a third valve fitting on the bayonet outlet before slinky. Close it. Then letting a portion (several gallons) of a full grey tank flow into the open black, close the grey, then letting the third valve drain. YMMV.


Best of luck.
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