I've been a member on RV.net for what seems like eons now. I've read and commented on, probably, hundreds of posts about black and grey tank dumping. I've always been an advocate for flushing the black tank as much as any can. I've commented on how back-flushing from the shower grey water not only helps flush the black tank better, back flushing pulls more "stuff" out when you dump, your black tank does not have to be completely full to dump, back flushing saves water if you do rinse, and if done consistently, tanks never smell.
Yet, in the past, there are still those who claim there is no need to rinse, let alone back-flush their black tanks. They just fill the tank as full as it can get and then dump once and go!
Well, more power to ya! is all I can say. But maybe some photos will help make the "dump once and go" crowd a little more of a believer in taking the time to flush the black tank. For those who never thought of it, let these photos speak for themselves.
First, it's important to have a 3rd valve with clear section of pipe (like a Flush King) so you can see what's actually coming out of the tanks. Second, your system needs to be set up so both black and grey tanks exit the same sewer pipe.
FYI, if you have a black tank flusher on your camper, the black tank flusher will also accomplish the same thing. It just means using more water.
So, here's how it works. The Flush King is valve A, Black Tank is Valve B, Grey tank is Valve C.
1. Open A and B initially and let all the contents of the black tank completely empty.
2. Close A (Flush King), and open C (grey) and let it back flush into B (black). Wait 10 seconds.
3. Close C (Grey)
4. Open A (Flush King) again and let the black tank drain again until nothing comes out any more.
5. Repeat until there is no more grey water left.
So, we use our camper at home all the time. After using the camper for almost a week in the drive way, it was time to prepare for a 3 day weekend, leaving Thursday night last week. I dumped all the tanks at home so I could go the week-end at the camp ground without dumping sooner than needed.
Anyway, here's the results:
I initially flushed and emptied the black tank completely.
After the initial dump, I back flushed the first time. Here's what came out with the 1st Back Flush:
Second Back Flush:
Third Back Flsuh:
Fourth Back Flush, things beginning to look a little bit better here:
Fifth Back Flush:
Sisth Back Flush:
And finally, for comparison, here's the color of the water from the shower grey tank, what remained left.
I normally do not back flush this many times, as I usually don't have that much water in my grey shower tank. This time I did, so decided to get the photos as I went along.
Now, just imagine all the "stuff" that was clinging in the tank after the first dump, if I'd not forced a flush, it would have just sat there. Then the next time, it sits more, and gain, more, and again more, until the tank is ... well ... full of yuck!
This simple technique is so easy to do, it really takes only a few seconds more to back flush the grey to the black (if you only do it one time, it helps tremendously keeping the tanks clean and odor free).
Now, add to this mix the built-in black tank flusher, and (IF) you have the availability to do this, your tank should always be nice and happy.
FYI, I dumped the 5 times using my 32 gallon blue tote, as show in the first photo. So, it's not the amount of water used, it's the backflush itself that cleans thing out.
Well, I've had my rant for the week now.
Yet, in the past, there are still those who claim there is no need to rinse, let alone back-flush their black tanks. They just fill the tank as full as it can get and then dump once and go!
Well, more power to ya! is all I can say. But maybe some photos will help make the "dump once and go" crowd a little more of a believer in taking the time to flush the black tank. For those who never thought of it, let these photos speak for themselves.
First, it's important to have a 3rd valve with clear section of pipe (like a Flush King) so you can see what's actually coming out of the tanks. Second, your system needs to be set up so both black and grey tanks exit the same sewer pipe.
FYI, if you have a black tank flusher on your camper, the black tank flusher will also accomplish the same thing. It just means using more water.
So, here's how it works. The Flush King is valve A, Black Tank is Valve B, Grey tank is Valve C.
1. Open A and B initially and let all the contents of the black tank completely empty.
2. Close A (Flush King), and open C (grey) and let it back flush into B (black). Wait 10 seconds.
3. Close C (Grey)
4. Open A (Flush King) again and let the black tank drain again until nothing comes out any more.
5. Repeat until there is no more grey water left.
So, we use our camper at home all the time. After using the camper for almost a week in the drive way, it was time to prepare for a 3 day weekend, leaving Thursday night last week. I dumped all the tanks at home so I could go the week-end at the camp ground without dumping sooner than needed.
Anyway, here's the results:
I initially flushed and emptied the black tank completely.
After the initial dump, I back flushed the first time. Here's what came out with the 1st Back Flush:
Second Back Flush:
Third Back Flsuh:
Fourth Back Flush, things beginning to look a little bit better here:
Fifth Back Flush:
Sisth Back Flush:
And finally, for comparison, here's the color of the water from the shower grey tank, what remained left.
I normally do not back flush this many times, as I usually don't have that much water in my grey shower tank. This time I did, so decided to get the photos as I went along.
Now, just imagine all the "stuff" that was clinging in the tank after the first dump, if I'd not forced a flush, it would have just sat there. Then the next time, it sits more, and gain, more, and again more, until the tank is ... well ... full of yuck!
This simple technique is so easy to do, it really takes only a few seconds more to back flush the grey to the black (if you only do it one time, it helps tremendously keeping the tanks clean and odor free).
Now, add to this mix the built-in black tank flusher, and (IF) you have the availability to do this, your tank should always be nice and happy.
FYI, I dumped the 5 times using my 32 gallon blue tote, as show in the first photo. So, it's not the amount of water used, it's the backflush itself that cleans thing out.
Well, I've had my rant for the week now.
I bought a Valterra Sewer Solution last year (or maybe the year before - I dunno) so I could dump and pump waste into my city sewer clean out at home. It uses a nozzle and water pressure from your garden hose to macerate the waste. It also has a spray/backflush feature where you can turn the nozzle to that it is aimed back into the dump pipe. The first time I used it, I was amazed (and disgusted at the same time) at how much stuff I was able to rinse out after a gravity-only dump followed by a grey dump. So I use it a couple of times a year now.
I've never had an issue with clogs, but I just feel better about getting the big chunks out. And there were lots left behind after a "regular" dump. It has to help with smells (though I haven't had an issue there either).
I've never had an issue with clogs, but I just feel better about getting the big chunks out. And there were lots left behind after a "regular" dump. It has to help with smells (though I haven't had an issue there either).
time2roll wrote:
I think I like my Quickie Flush with custom spray pattern. Water flows down and out only. No back and forth hoping each time floats more to the front.
I've been using the Camco "Swivel stick" wand for the last 8 years when I'm hook up to water and sewer every mo or so mainly to clean the sensors and for me it works great and does the job. It even cleans the toilet "throat" area (area below flush valve and top of holding tank). I let it run moving it up and down slightly until my black sensors read "clear". They do eventually somewhat "clog", but it takes a little while for that to happen and at least I have working sensors for a time and not "totally useless"
SWIVEL STICK:
It might not be for everyone, but our bath is on the utility side and has a window that I simply run a hose into with the swivel stick attached to and don't have hoses running all through the trailer.
Larry
