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Old 04-25-2011, 07:29 AM   #1
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Anyone want to offer up some best practices with regard to grey/black water tanks - when and how to empty them? Is there anyone not using the toilet?

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Old 04-25-2011, 08:55 AM   #2
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When hooking up at the campsite leave the gray tank open and the black tank closed. When you see the black tank about 3/4 full close the gray tank so you can build up some grey water to flush with. When the gray tank is more then half full go out and dump the black tank first then dump the gray tank. If you have a flush system on the black tank flush out before dumping the gray tank.
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Old 04-25-2011, 11:16 AM   #3
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I have a Tank Tornado - it was easy to install and really gets the gunk out of the black tank. I try to run it every time I dump my black tank until it comes clean (I have a clear coupler so I can see what is coming out). I also fill my black and gray tank right before I leave and do a full flush. Might be a little overkill, but I have never had any tank smell.



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Old 04-25-2011, 11:47 AM   #4
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Old 04-25-2011, 03:34 PM   #5
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The secret to black tank success is water. Lotsa water. Not a good idea to dump a black tank only 1/4 full or so for example. With out enough water in the tank initially, you can create "poop pyramids" (not my term I heard it somewhere), which can solidify and cause clogging issues. So have some water in the black tank before you use it and as much as possible in it when you dump it. Also what tafische said about rinsing is good advice. BTW yes we use our toilet, one of the reasons for owning a RV IMO.
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Old 04-25-2011, 11:36 PM   #6
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We live in our trailer for 6 months at a time. I keep both tanks shut off. I dump the gray water when it needs it and when the black tank is around half full I dump it. After dumping the black tank I fill the toilet and dump it at least 3 or 4 times. You need to keep a lot of water in the black tank. I am with Crabman, I bought that toilet to use.
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Old 04-26-2011, 06:32 AM   #7
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I agree with others that the head and black tank was bought to be used so I use it. I agree also with all of the above procedures for using and dumping the black and gray tanks. One other thing to add, if you are in a campground where you don't have a sewer hookup and have to use a tote (blueboy, etc.) to dump, always shut off the black flow a few seconds before the tote is full so you can top it off with gray. Even if you have to make a second trip to get all of the black. This keeps the hook up end of your hose a little bit cleaner.
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Old 04-26-2011, 07:19 AM   #8
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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..
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Old 04-26-2011, 06:56 PM   #9
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As you may know, I've never gone camping in a TT yet and May 24 is our first time. On the weekend we were getting everything set up in the trailer (anxious for the good weather) and my husband asked me if I had an extra pair of rubber gloves. Why? Apparently I am the one in charge of emptying the black water tank! Oh well, someone has to do it.
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Old 04-26-2011, 07:05 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by KathyDiane View Post
As you may know, I've never gone camping in a TT yet and May 24 is our first time. On the weekend we were getting everything set up in the trailer (anxious for the good weather) and my husband asked me if I had an extra pair of rubber gloves. Why? Apparently I am the one in charge of emptying the black water tank! Oh well, someone has to do it.
Dont be scared

It is really easy. Just take your time and double check your work before you pull that valve open. If you accidentally make a mess, that is what soap and water are for!



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Old 04-26-2011, 07:06 PM   #11
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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..
AMEN! And all of the comments above have been on target. Even when we are hitting the road, I make sure some water is in bottom of black tank. The only time all year I completely empty it and leave it empty is when I put it up for a spell during the winter.

About every month I like to leave some water in the grey tank, add some pine-sol and let it slosh around in the tank while we travel down the road.
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Old 04-26-2011, 07:32 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by The Sloan Ranger View Post
Anyone want to offer up some best practices with regard to grey/black water tanks - when and how to empty them? Is there anyone not using the toilet?

Thanks again.
We have it, we use it!

We were taught by veteran rv'ers to make sure the black tank is 3/4 full before dumping (if your indicator doesn't work well, you can see if you look down the commode when the trap is open). We add lotsa flush water when we use the toilet. When ready to hit the road, we make sure we leave some fresh water in the tank and add a little liquid dish detergent to slosh around while driving. BTW, we have never used chemicals in our black tank. Just haven't needed to.

oh, and Don does wear disposable plastic gloves when he dumps the tank (I'm in charge of hooking up, so all I have to worry about is grease) LOL
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Old 04-26-2011, 07:32 PM   #13
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As you may know, I've never gone camping in a TT yet and May 24 is our first time. On the weekend we were getting everything set up in the trailer (anxious for the good weather) and my husband asked me if I had an extra pair of rubber gloves. Why? Apparently I am the one in charge of emptying the black water tank! Oh well, someone has to do it.
Yes, those dish washing gloves can be handy!
Don't worry, I will take my turn on the job.
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Old 04-27-2011, 07:02 AM   #14
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Yes, those dish washing gloves can be handy!
Don't worry, I will take my turn on the job.
Just dont wash dishes with them afterwards...
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Old 04-27-2011, 11:42 AM   #15
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Just dont wash dishes with them afterwards...
That goes without saying, but maybe it should be said.
We store these gloves in a small bin with the sewer hose adapter.
They will only be used for that sewer task.
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Old 04-27-2011, 11:22 PM   #16
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Dedicated rubber gloves. We have two pair so when the other half wants to help she has a pair that fit.
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Old 04-29-2011, 05:08 PM   #17
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Crabman has Crab gloves. Crab proof, poop proof.
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Old 04-29-2011, 05:12 PM   #18
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We just returned from an overnight stay at an RV Park with "full hook ups". This was our first opportunity to connect to a dump station.

Before we left we obtained a Camco Rhino Flex RV Sewer Kit from Wally World along with the toilet tissue, drop ins & disposable gloves.

We followed all the excellent suggestions from this forum and specifically this thread and were very pleased with the results.

Please accept our thanks for sharing all your experiences with those of us who are just beginning the RV journey.

Cheers!
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Old 04-29-2011, 08:56 PM   #19
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Glad it all came out fine mrnoyb! See - nothing too it.

I guess I am in the minority - I have a box of disposable gloves in there, but 99% of the time I never use them unless I know there is going to be some kind of problem or the dump station is down right nasty. Not sure I have ever gotten 'stuff' on my hands...

Guess if I ever meet any of you folks in person, you wont be shaking my hand



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Old 04-30-2011, 08:43 AM   #20
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W

Before we left we obtained a Camco Rhino Flex RV Sewer Kit from Wally World along with the toilet tissue, drop ins & disposable gloves.

We followed all the excellent suggestions from this forum and specifically this thread and were very pleased with the results.

Please accept our thanks for sharing all your experiences with those of us who are just beginning the RV journey.

Cheers!
to me using that stuff is like wiping your buns with sandpaper.. I did a dissolvability test and RV TP was the worst for not dissolving. Costco's KIRKLAND brand was the easiest dissolving. That is all I use now home and RV.
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