Forum Discussion

melissajean0's avatar
melissajean0
Explorer
Jan 01, 2014

Clog/Black Pyramid help

We have tried a snake, we have tried filling the tank, we've stuck a hose down it with a sprayer. Those haven't worked. The pipe in this RV goes down, curves, then dumps into the tank. So, by reading more I'm thinking that this is a black pyramid issue. Maybe it's right next to the pipe that drops into the tank. So, how do you guys fix black tank pyramid issues. We left the tank filled for 4 days before trying to re-empty it, it just filled right back up again. I emptied the tank a while ago, a little came out, but not as much as I expected to considering the sensor in here read full. I don't know where that censor is located, but it doesn't seem that the tank is full rather than a clog near or in the pipe. Any suggestions?

Edited to say: There's a clog somewhere for sure because the toilet water is backing up into the tank. We can push the foot lever down and see water and tp in it.
  • melissajean0 wrote:
    sch911 wrote:
    Are you sure it's full and not just dirty sensors?

    Well, to be honest I have no idea where the sensors are to see if they're dirty. :/

    The toilet is backed up though for sure. Water is not going down at this moment. We emptied 4 days ago, seemed to be okay until last night. That's when we noticed it was clogged once again.


    We fill our 32 gallon black tank in about four days. Is it clogged or just full again after 4 days?
  • The sensors are in the tank and are not reliable. But it sounds like you have a a real issue on your hands. You need to determine weather it's a plug up in the black tank drain plumbing, or in the black tank inlet plumbing from the toilet. A snake would need to be used in both cases.
  • First the sensors are notorious for false readings. If you know how much the tank is suppose to hold you can try using a 5 gallon pail to fill it and measure how you can actually put in the tank.

    You might try filling the tank and adding a digesting bacteria like you use to clean drain lines to eat and soften any pile.

    I have found a 1/2 tank of water with water softener (NOT fabric softener) taken for a drive to slosh around helps clean the sensors.

    Good Luck.
  • sch911 wrote:
    Are you sure it's full and not just dirty sensors?

    Well, to be honest I have no idea where the sensors are to see if they're dirty. :/

    The toilet is backed up though for sure. Water is not going down at this moment. We emptied 4 days ago, seemed to be okay until last night. That's when we noticed it was clogged once again.