cleaning out waste tank

When you see water standing below toilet valve, it is time to dump black tank. No sensors needed just eyes.

My current rig has a black tank flush which seems to do a good job based on what I see coming through the clear fitting when I dump. The funny thing is on my first TT I used to check the tank sensors all the time. I figured out that they were rarely accurate. On my current rig I don't even remember touching the buttons to see if they work at all. Secret is to use a lot of water with each flush and not dump until your tank is at least 3/4 full(you will know even with out the sensors).

Monaco Montclair wrote:
we use the ice thing, works for us and it don't hurt a thing, now it all happy-camping

+1, has always worked for me. Easy and no mess or chemicals to deal with. Windy mountain roads tend to do the best job at sloshing everything around and turning it into pooh soup:)

I have been using Tank-Tech for the past couple of months.It does seem to reduce the odors from the tanks when we dump.(Odor has never been a problem inside the trailer).I can't say as it has been any better that my usual tank treatment method,of Calgon and Dawn in the black tank and nothing added to the galley and grey tanks.
No matter what I do,the galley tank thinks that it's full all of the time.
I doubt if I will buy any more of the product.

One thing I've been doing when boondocking, is to turn the pump off when peeing and only use it when pooping, then use at least a 1/2 bowl. Just have to be sure the girls can aim their TP down the hole with no water to flush it down, though. ;-)

Lyle

If your tank has gotten really plugged up and could do with a thorough cleaning, consider using liquid drano. It needs to be the one that does not attack metal and NEVER dump it into an on-site septic system. Our manufacturer actually says in the owner's manual to use liquid drano. We used it last year and it was amazing.

The secret to a clean tank is lots of water. If water consumption is not a major issue where you are, add 4-5 gallons before you start using the tank, use lots of water when p**ping, and fill the tank to near full before you dump.

The first thing I do when breaking camp (if you have FHU) is is to clean the tank An in-tank rinser is great. I do the initial dump then turn the rinser on for 5 minutes or so then shut it off and close the valve. Then I fill the tank up to near full and dump. If I look down into the tank and can't see a nice clean bottom along with "factory installed" little droplets of ABS glue, it's not clean. I repeat this process 2-3 times or more if needed. I just wish there was a faster way to fill up the tank than using the foot valve.

We used to use the Valterra back flush elbow but it doesn't work as well as an in-tank rinser. You can buy a rinser kit. We tried ice once without success. Never tried the Geo method, but it reportedly works well. There are various RV chemicals available. Chemicals with enzymes may be a great idea but I don't think they're ever in there long enough to do much. A flexible wand may work but it's not the most convenient thing, especially if at a dump station and sometimes you won't be able to connect anything to the hose or it won't reach.

If water consumption is an issue, then I think the right kind of chemical is the way to go. There was a current thread on this in the TT forum. Water use and black tank

Horst Miracle probes were mentioned above. We had them installed by our dealer on our new 2014 TT due to the enclosed underbelly. These probes work great and are well worth the minimal cost of them. Doesn't mean you can get away with not cleaning your tanks properly tho.

Check out the flexible wand that you run down thru the toilet. The one with the spinner on the end. I got mine from Walley World.

In the past I used it to blast the poo pyramids.

however if you really need a "clean" black tank, it also did clean the level sensors but for the first use only.

If you feel you need to clean the tank, get some Rid X and fill the tank with water. the little bugs will eat all the poo and you will have a nice clean tank (WHY?)

Tank sensors drive me crazy. This is our 7th rv. We have the tank sprayer but the installed it in the opposite end of the tank versus the cleanout. Works fine for cleaning the tank but the spray would not reach the sensor.

Solution was to add a second sprayer very close to the sensors. I use a quick disconnect and the onboard faucet to switch between the two. Our toilet has an electronic sensor and will stop flushing if the sensors are not clean.

It would be easy for a mfgr to install dual sprayers. Sure saves water.

I don't waste my money on rv potty chemicals. After I empty and flush the tank, I add 5 gallons water in a bucket with one cup Arm and Hammer washing soda and about half cup dish soap. Helps break down solids neutralizes pH in tank and eliminates odors, cheaply and effectively . it's of water to start with keeps solids in check. I never have an odor and I go a out 3 weeks between dumps at a seasonal site.