Coaxing the crap out of my black tank

[saunterr44]

Last couple times, it seems like I have to COAX the crap outta my black tank. Seems to be a little stuck, so I lift the hose, move it around to help improve movement. I normally add a BUNCH of water (and a deodorizer) at the start of camp, and am not shy about using lots of water as I use the toilet. I have a internal black tank flush, where I can/do flush after I dump, but should I use THAT to add LOTS of water, with the hopes that this will cause all the crap to flush out 'fast' ?

Tips/advice are welcome !

[RogerR]

I add water softener to every fill. Also use a cleanout wand when I get home.

[Camper_bob]

I use my black tank rinse to fill the tank and get a good flush. I'll do this 2-3 times if I have full hookups. Close the valve and leave the rinse connected and on.

Word of warning!! There is a reason they tell you NOT to do this. If you forget, get distracted, whatever ... and don't pull the valve and/or don't turn off the water, you will have a HUGE mess.

So just pay attention when you're doing this and keep a close eye on how much water is going into the tank. DO NOT try to accomplish other tasks while you do this. If you have a flow meter, use it to know how much water you've put in your tank. If you don't have a meter, then measure it by hand using a stop watch. If you don't use either of those, have someone inside periodically checking the tank level through the toilet (DO NOT TRUST THE "IDIOT LIGHT" ON THE PANEL).

You don't need the tank to be FULL to get a good flush, just about 1/3 to 1/2 will do.

My process: Attach the rinse line to the outlet on the side of the rig. Open the waste gate. Turn on the rinse. Wait for it to become little more than a trickle out of the tank (I have a clear piece of hose). Close the waste gate. Let the rinse run into the tank no more than 5 minutes (average measured flow is 5 GPM on the high side through an open flowing hose, my tank is 32 gallons). Open the waste gate. Repeat twice more.

[harryjr]

I could be misreading your problem, but are you sure the vent is not plugged?

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by RogerR

I add water softener to every fill.....

X2, I happen to use fabric softener, which does the same thing. I mix up about a 4 gallons of water with a 1/2 to 1 cup of water softener, pour it down the toilet, and let it slosh on the way home and on the way to the next trip. Usually within a couple trips my tank is all clean.

The water softener changes the surface tension of the water and allows it to soak into the "stuff" and helps it break down and loosen it's bond from the tank walls.

Another option, while you have full hookups, if you do not have a place to dump at home is to purchase a wand. Bring a garden hose into your camper and put the wand down the toilet and spray all the surfaces.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

I use my black tank rinse to fill the tank and get a good flush. I'll do this 2-3 times if I have full hookups. Close the valve and leave the rinse connected and on.

Word of warning!! There is a reason they tell you NOT to do this. If you forget, get distracted, whatever ... and don't pull the valve and/or don't turn off the water, you will have a HUGE mess.

So just pay attention when you're doing this and keep a close eye on how much water is going into the tank. DO NOT try to accomplish other tasks while you do this. If you have a flow meter, use it to know how much water you've put in your tank. If you don't have a meter, then measure it by hand using a stop watch. If you don't use either of those, have someone inside periodically checking the tank level through the toilet (DO NOT TRUST THE "IDIOT LIGHT" ON THE PANEL).

You don't need the tank to be FULL to get a good flush, just about 1/3 to 1/2 will do.

My process: Attach the rinse line to the outlet on the side of the rig. Open the waste gate. Turn on the rinse. Wait for it to become little more than a trickle out of the tank (I have a clear piece of hose). Close the waste gate. Let the rinse run into the tank no more than 5 minutes (average measured flow is 5 GPM on the high side through an open flowing hose, my tank is 32 gallons). Open the waste gate. Repeat twice more.

I follow a similar process. I have a flowmeter AND a small water shutoff valve connected to the rinse connection AND connect my black tank rinse hose DIRECTLY to the CG water supply - not through a water filter or pressure regulator - for maximum flow.