Black Tank

Well, we used the GEO Method and we are very pleased with the results. Before we left home for the weekend we added 2 packages of water softener, 1 cup of laundry soap and 2 cups of bleach to the black tank. We filled the tank about half full of water and drove to our campsite which was about 125 miles. When we got to the campsite we amptied the black tank before we setup camp. Once we were in the campsite we filled the back tank about one-third full and added the same ingredients in the same ratios. Already, at that point, we smelled no odors from the black tank. We were odor free all weekend.

Upon leaving the campsite we dumped the tanks and filled the black tank about half full and added the same ingredients one more time.

We probably didn't have to do that last one, but we just wanted to be sure. Anyway, we have no odor from the black tank.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

klr650goldwing wrote:
Thanks for the great ideas. We are leaving tonight for the weekend and will check out as many of your recommendations as we can. Perhaps a good report will be available by Tue.

Now would be a REAL good time to partial fill that empty black tank with water and whatever chemical you use.

Ya, I know we don't like to travel with full tanks and wasting a packet of tank treatment but this could be your opportunity to get some good water action in that tank while you are driving out to the CG to get it cleaned up for you.

Then dump it when you get there. You might have caught some mountains of poo and toilet paper on the bottom of your tank early enough to fix it easily!



Happy Camping!

Can you just dump in a cup of bleach and let it slosh around? Or is bleach a bad idea?

I use the now infamous GEO Method. I put the mixture in with a couple gallons of water before every trip out. It sloshes around and coats the tank. This has kept everything nice, clean and odor free. I also use a clear elbow at the dump connection so I can make sure water is running clear when back flushing the tank. If you don't have a built in tank flush you might try a Flush King to give the tank a good cleaning.

Thanks for the great ideas. We are leaving tonight for the weekend and will check out as many of your recommendations as we can. Perhaps a good report will be available by Tue.

I buy generic electric dishwashing detergent in the pre-measured packets. When I leave the campground after I've dumped, I put a couple of gallons of water and drop one of the pouches along with my toilet chem. The sloshing around while driving home and again next trip out washes down the inside of the tank. The detergent used on dishwashers is low to no sudsing so you don't end up with a tank of bubbles.

"Poo-Piles" are difficult to remove once they have had a chance to establish themselves... caused by not using/keeping enough water in the tank, especially after you dump... and can cause lingering smells. If you have a straight pipe into your BW tank you can check using a flashlight. Often times they can be broken up using hot water and a long stick. Dumping several bags of ice down the toilet after dumping and before hitting the road can help with cleaning the tank. But chances are it's a blocked vent pipe as others have suggested.

It's a good thing before you leave your campground to dump and then fill it with water and dump and do it a couple of times. More so if its hot out to really get it rinsed out before you leave.

My bathroom sink dumps into the black tank. So it's real easy to just let open up both faucets run full force until the black tank fill ups and then just go outside and pull the valve to dump.

AND always put a couple of gallons of water in the tank when you leave so it can slosh around while you drive back home.

....and make sure you don't have the bathroom fan on when you flush or any fans on that you have in the other vents if you have a split bathroom!

I would fill the tank up and dump it a couple of times. It sounds like you may have some old stuff sitting in there.

Ours will do this from time to time. I'm sure it's due to not doing a good job of flushing the tank when I get in a hurry at the dump station. The left over stuff gets stored and decides to let me know I didn't do a good job the last time I dumped...yuck.

Usually the smell goes away once I fill and dump the tank. Then I add Thetfords deoderizing with enzymes.

downtheroad wrote:
Climb up on the roof and check your black tank vent pipe. Make sure it isn't plugged/blocked..(bird's nest, whatever.)

X2 - Remove the vent cap and look down with a "good" flashlight. Make sure it is clear as far as you can see.