Grey/Black Water Tanks - Advice for newbie :)

[Banglee9]

A newbie here so I'm trying to figure this all out. Newbie as in I don't have a clue, thus why I'm here. So I've read all 6 pages. I'm full-timer moving every 3-4 months.
In summation:
~ At the full hookups, I leave the grey open all the time.
~ The black tank, however, I should be closing until 3/4 full, then dumping. Then I fill up with some water to have some in the blank tank before allowing it to be loaded up to 3/4 full again. (I have been leaving it open all the time and haven't added any get-rid-of-smell stuff. So far no problem. But if it's sitting, I probably need to make this change?)
~ When I get ready to move to my next destination, I fill the pot with 5 gallons of ice chunks to "clean" the tank better.

Do I have that correct? Anything I'm missing? And thank you so very much for all this info!

[oaeyeo121003]

I always leave both valves closed. When I am camping with sewer hook ups I dump the black at 1/2 or 2/3 rds then flush the hose out with the grey. The reason you do not want to leave the black open all the time is the liquid will all run out and leave the solids in place.....

[Banglee9]

Originally Posted by oaeyeo121003

I always leave both valves closed. When I am camping with sewer hook ups I dump the black at 1/2 or 2/3 rds then flush the hose out with the grey. The reason you do not want to leave the black open all the time is the liquid will all run out and leave the solids in place.....

Ewww! Going to go close it now. Really, really Ewww!

[BlueHaul]

Best video tutorial I can find is from RV Geeks on youtube. Actually really informative. Here's the YouTube link.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Banglee9

A newbie here so I'm trying to figure this all out. Newbie as in I don't have a clue, thus why I'm here. So I've read all 6 pages. I'm full-timer moving every 3-4 months.
In summation:
~ At the full hookups, I leave the grey open all the time.
~ The black tank, however, I should be closing until 3/4 full, then dumping. Then I fill up with some water to have some in the blank tank before allowing it to be loaded up to 3/4 full again. (I have been leaving it open all the time and haven't added any get-rid-of-smell stuff. So far no problem. But if it's sitting, I probably need to make this change?)
~ When I get ready to move to my next destination, I fill the pot with 5 gallons of ice chunks to "clean" the tank better.

Do I have that correct? Anything I'm missing? And thank you so very much for all this info!

I think you are doing well with your method. As suggested it could be beneficial to let the grey tank fill up somewhat also before dumping.

[Banglee9]

Originally Posted by Seann45

This cannot be said enough.....
NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR BLACK TANK VALVE OPEN...
Only dump when the tank is full.. even if you have to fill it with fresh water first..

Thanks to this thread and my search for it, I got a wand last night and used it today. My black tank went from being almost full after emptying to completely empty and I can see the bottom of the clean tank. I'd rather avoid a repeat of this fun so please, and if you want to miss out as well then take Seanns45's advise above.

Learned somethig new!