Forum Discussion

porkslap's avatar
porkslap
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014

why separate tanks for grey and black water?

Hi Folks,

Let's say I'm building my own RV. Is there a reason I can't use the same tank for grey and black water?

-Tom

37 Replies

  • Keep in mind that two tanks give some options for weight distribution too.
  • I agree with all the posters here. Now on occasion I have equalized my tanks when I need more grey water room by opening the grey valve and leaving the black tank valve closed. This brings them to the same level. So at them time its like I have only one combined tank. But that is when I am dry camping. My TC has 46 gallon fresh tank and I know I can run it dry with the capacity of both tanks being used. But usually I keep them separate.
  • BB_TX wrote:
    There has been a couple occasions when I forgot to check the grey tank level. Backed up into the shower while I was in there. Found myself standing in an inch or two of water. Glad it was grey and not a mix of black.


    X2
  • There has been a couple occasions when I forgot to check the grey tank level. Backed up into the shower while I was in there. Found myself standing in an inch or two of water. Glad it was grey and not a mix of black.
  • You can combine them and that new tank will be called the "black tank". Jurisdictions may have different dumping parameters for the different types of tanks.
  • none other than practical.
    gray water can be dumped, sometime, at some places, on the ground, legally, where black water must always be dumped in a legal sewer receptacle.
    so sometimes, you can extend your stay at a campground without moving your rig.