Options for black tank flushing?

I'd never had any problems with my black tank with no type of flushing needed with two different Hybrid TT's going back to 2007. But our Bullet came with a few extras as part of a package, one of which was a black tank rinse, and I've found it to be a pretty cool addition. I don't use it every time we dump and I never use it when there's a line although we tend to dump at places and during times when the dump stations are not busy. I've yet to have any faulty black tank sensor readings after using the rinse.

I don't know if I'd undertake a modification to add one to an existing TT, but I would definitely insist any dealer install one on a unit I was serious about if it didn't already have one much like a Fantastic Fan/similar upgraded exhaust fan.

I use a flush king, mainly to keep my valves free of debris and to rinse out the hose. I fill the black tank all the way with water before dumping, and add about 5 gallons of water after dumping, and the act of driving the trailer to the next destination does a nice job of rehydrating any junk on the walls and keeping the sensors reasonably accurate. Other than having something hang up my black valve once I've never had any sort of clog or issue with the tank sensor. We use Kirkland brand TP and flush with plenty of water. We have a 30 gallon black tank.

I use the Hydroflush with my macerator pump, since its cleaning inlet seems a lot better than the one on the pump.

I also use more than just one anti-syphon valve. One goes on each end of the hose, so there is zero chance of contamination of the FW hose.

TysonTDW wrote:
I currently have no flush systems/accessories on my TT. Looking at amazon.com for options. Found the following options and wondering what your opinions are.

Camco Quickie Flush


---VS-----

Hydroflush



Thoughts or any other recommendations?

I just purchased the Camco Quickie Flush from Walmart.com for $21. I have read about 100 reviews on it on a few websites and on all sites it had a 4.5 star rating. I will post again after I install it.

Lots of opinions here. So here's mine.
you say your sensors always read 1/3. you could try the ice bag trick on your way out next trip. Before you leave on the way out drop a couple bags of ice into the toilet tank before you go. the ice will slosh around in your tank on the way and hopefully loosening any solids stuck to the sensors.Fill and dump when you get there if you get a full hookup site. Also here is a tip I got from a fellow RVer. pour a few ounces of water softener ( I use Calgon ) to the tank along with your favorite deodorizer. This supposedly helps keep solids from sticking to the tank sides. There is also commercial tank cleaner to use when you store your rig. Fill the tank 3/4 full and add it to the water. the bacteria is supposed to break down all the solids. I Guess RidX septic treatment would work this way as well. It just has to sit for a while to let the bacteria work.
As for dumping, My rig has 4 tanks 1 for fresh water, 2 grey tanks and 1 black tank.
I always dump my black tank first, using the built in flusher.
I added an extra valve on the outlet that allows me to use my grey water to back flush into my black tank. This helps also.

In any case. Your rig Your methods. Use what works for you.
Good luck! Great camping!
BBuchorn

wanderingbob wrote:
Why do you feel the need for such a device ? Many of us have been RVing for twenty or thirty years with out one !

Your probably right and you have much more experience then me. My personal reasoning is that my tanks are small so I don't have a lot of room to leave extra water in the tank. I try to completely drain it when I leave the site. I also only get the TT out once a quarter. I hate to let it sit stagnate for months. On a last note, my sensors always read 1/3 full. Hoping this flusher can get the sensors back to working.

Thanks for all the replies.

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
I'll be odd man out.

I have been RVing for over 40 year and I don't feel the need for a flusher. I dump and go. Usually in less than 1 hour the black tank is "contaminated" again anyway so I don't bother.

I have better things to do on my vacation than polish the poop tank. But then again it's your tank and your money and time.

X3. In my TT the bathroom sink dumps into the top side of the black tank. If there is no line I dump a couple of 5 gallon buckets down the sink drain when I'm dumping. If there is a line I just dump and go. Just be sure you are using the right type of toilet paper and then make sure you have a decent amount of liquid when you dump.

wanderingbob wrote:
Why do you feel the need for such a device ? Many of us have been RVing for twenty or thirty years with out one !

You are correct. I've never used 3rd party clean out tools either. And, never had problems with my many Black Water tank plugging up with too much sticky stuff.


For some folks before winterizing, I read many times they fill black tank 1/3 full with clear water (garden hose down the toilet bowl hole), add 2 x large bags of ice and drive home. As they drive home, the ice cube rub the inner sides of the black tank and "clean its sides". And, help clean sensors as well. When they get home, they simply dump the melted ice / cold water inside their black tank. From a white board, this low cost clean out method should work. I've never done it myself but it should work - without modifying or cutting holes on the side of the factory black tank.

I actually use all three methods. I general a few minutes with the tank flusher works well. Periodic flushing with the flush king all ways sends out more stuff.
No need to get too worked up about it. If I'm at a dump station with a line. I dump and go, no rinsing or flushing no big deal. Particularly if I'm going out the next week. After all it's a black tank. It's whole purpose is to hold stuff, there is no point try to make it spotless only to fill it again next week!