Black Tank Build-up

[D_and_A_plus_6]

My Father-in-Laws's TT has some build up in the Black Tank. When it warms up I plan on putting water in the black tank and let set, then dump it, repeating several times hoping to loosen some of the build-up up. I was also thinking about the Geo Method, will it help loosen build-up? Also thinking about using a heated power washer, sticking wand down through toilet, and placing a old towel at the top to catch slash back and move the wand around as much as I can to break up as much as I can reach.
Any other ideas except keep using lots of water.

Thanks

[facory]

Use fabric softener in the grey tank to kill the suds. Just a squirt for a full sink will do it. The tank drains much better without battling the suds.

[JBinOR]

Whether one needs a water softener will probably have more to do with where you are than anything else. In the Pacific NW, the water is usually very soft to begin with. Adding more softener will not help one bit. Other places, it will really be needed. With that being said, a good amount a vinegar will also dissolve most of the minerals that a water softener would take care of.

[jffkrn]

For us, we flush our tanks every time they get used. By that I mean, when we get home, we flush tanks right away while as I call it, stuff is still in motion. Really haven't had any build up of sort in the black tank. we do use chemicals for waste break down whenever we use the trailer. Even if it is only a day or two trip. My belief is that it helps form letting things build up. I also made my own wand out of 1/2 inch PVC pipe with a double 90* bend on it, put it down the toilet and let er rip. This is used only if I have been dry camping and had a little pile up of paper and poop. I also use the five gallon bucket method to flush tank. these things work well for me. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[facory]

Put 10 gals of water into the tank with about 1 ounce of Dawn. Drive around for while and let it work. Best time to do this is when you are heading to a campground. You can stop at the dump station on the way in.

[wmoses]

JJBIRISH wrote:

wmoses wrote:

Interesting. No Calgon needed too? How much should I put in my 37 gallon tank?

... I would use between one or two cups (more than enough) dissolved in four or five gallons of water then driving around a little…

Dishwashing detergent is a heavily concentrated low sudsing detergent with a blend of water conditioners, soil suspending agents, wetting agents and the necessary alkalinity to tackle tough greasy soils… older versions of dishwasher detergent were better because they were both enzyme and phosphate based, but they are no longer available… might just as well use it on the gray tanks while you are at it…

Thanks for the answers.

[deltabravo]

D and A plus 6 wrote:
Thanks for the info, sounds like I'm on the right track. The power washer I was doing to use is heated and around 3,500 psi. We wash farm equipment with it. Warm water makes a lot of difference over cold.

My thinking is that might make a huge mess.

I use a 5 gallon bucket full of water and empty it as fast as possible in to the toilet to help wash away a pile of poo.
I do this trick several times.

[JJBIRISH]

wmoses wrote:

JJBIRISH wrote:
The absolute best cleaner for the black tank bar none is some powered dishwasher detergent Cascade Complete all in one, with water…. Let it soak and then then drive around before dumping…

Interesting. No Calgon needed too? How much should I put in my 37 gallon tank?

First of all I do not see the need for cleaning the black tank if enough water is used, except maybe for the end of season cleaning… where I would use between one or two cups (more than enough) dissolved in four or five gallons of water then driving around a little…

Dishwashing detergent is a heavily concentrated low sudsing detergent with a blend of water conditioners, soil suspending agents, wetting agents and the necessary alkalinity to tackle tough greasy soils… older versions of dishwasher detergent were better because they were both enzyme and phosphate based, but they are no longer available… might just as well use it on the gray tanks while you are at it…

If the OP has a build up as he claims it might need done a couple of times…

If there is really a build-up it would be best to camera the inside of the tank to see the actual problem first… instead of wasting time doing things that might not help… inspection cameras are getting cheaper all the time… you will find dozens of uses for it around the shop car and RV, any hard to see places…

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-67979.html

[PJMAX]

GEO method her all the way no build up or smell.:-




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[mlts22]

So far, the best tank design I've seen were tanks that had a way to access them from the top (inside the RV) You removed an access panel, twisted a round cover on the tank, and had an 8-12 inch opening to go at the tank with a wet/dry vac and a plastic scraper if you wanted. Plus, once empty, you could spray the sides with Pam or some other lubricant to ensure what got dropped would get out. For freshwater tanks, this helped with cleaning the top and ensuring there was no algae present anywhere.

[RTrider]

This wand has broken up many issues when friends use the trailer and do not follow my instructions to use LOTS of water. It works pretty good for such a small cost. The only issue is that the plastic hose connection does not seal properly and I have cut if off and used standard metal plumbing parts to rebuild so there is no longer any leakage of water at the hose connection.

It may take several flushings and if really bad some digester for awhile, but if you are dilegent, it will solve the problem.

Good luck.

[wmoses]

JJBIRISH wrote:
The absolute best cleaner for the black tank bar none is some powered dishwasher detergent Cascade Complete all in one, with water…. Let it soak and then then drive around before dumping…

Interesting. No Calgon needed too? How much should I put in my 37 gallon tank?

[WoodGlue]

thomasmnile wrote:
The "blow molded" polyethylene tanks used in RV holding tanks aren't a lot thicker than a gallon milk bottle. I would be extremely careful with a high powered pressure washer.

Hi Thomas,

They're a lot thicker these days, at least Lance Campers and Trailers are thick. See the following article and photos on holding tanks.

Tank Cleaning



WoodGlue

[JJBIRISH]

The absolute best cleaner for the black tank bar none is some powered dishwasher detergent Cascade Complete all in one, with water…. Let it soak and then then drive around before dumping…

[thomasmnile]

D and A plus 6 wrote:
Thanks again for all the info, hadn't thought about blowing a hole in tank, thought they might be stronger than that. When it warms up I'll start the project and report back. I really don't know how much build up they really have.

The "blow molded" polyethylene tanks used in RV holding tanks aren't a lot thicker than a gallon milk bottle. I would be extremely careful with a high powered pressure washer.