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Old 08-11-2019, 12:37 PM   #1
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When in RV Park - Tank Valves Open?

When doing a longer term stay in an RV park, do you leave your grey and/or black tank valve open or closed? Why for either choice.
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Old 08-11-2019, 12:41 PM   #2
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Never leave Black tank valve open You can leave the grey- that’s your choice but usually close it sometime before you plan to dump them the black so you can use the grey after dumping the black to flush the line
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Old 08-11-2019, 12:43 PM   #3
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Never leave Black tank valve open You can leave the grey- that’s your choice but usually close it sometime before you plan to dump them the black so you can use the grey after dumping the black to flush the line
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Old 08-11-2019, 12:43 PM   #4
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If you leave the black tank open you will have a pile of waste that will accumulate. Keep water in the tank with the tabs or liquid additive your rv will thank you.
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Old 08-11-2019, 03:54 PM   #5
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Don't leave the black or gray open. If you leave the gray open, at times, sewer fumes will rise from the campground sewer into your gray tank and ultimately your rig. Drain the gray every 2-3 days. Leave the black till full. Then when leaving, dump the black and a bunch of gray to clear the hose.
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Old 08-11-2019, 03:59 PM   #6
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Never leave Black tank valve open You can leave the grey- that’s your choice but usually close it sometime before you plan to dump them the black so you can use the grey after dumping the black to flush the line
x3 ... only open grey if I need to before we leave
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Old 08-11-2019, 05:03 PM   #7
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Never leave Black tank valve open You can leave the grey- that’s your choice but usually close it sometime before you plan to dump them the black so you can use the grey after dumping the black to flush the line
X3

If you choose to leave the grey tank valve(s) open, use a hose support and form a P trap immediately after the dump valve to prevent the possibility of sewer odours coming back into the RV.

https://www.thervgeeks.com/plumbing/...pen-or-closed/
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Old 08-11-2019, 05:17 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by G Hollingsworth View Post
When doing a longer term stay in an RV park, do you leave your grey and/or black tank valve open or closed? Why for either choice.
As you can see this is one of those debated/personal preference topics. We tend to use a good bit of water when on full hook ups and have not had issues with leaving the grey tank open. As long as all your plumbing traps within the RV are working properly, there shouldn't be an issue with odor backwash. As has been stated, do not leave the black tank open. Let it get as close to full as possible. Make sure to flush it well when emptying. On your final dump of your stay try to remember to close the grey tank and get it full. After your final black tank dump and flush, chase it with the grey water. That way at least the black tank water wasn't the last thing in your hoses before break down.
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Old 08-11-2019, 05:23 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by valleyduo View Post
As you can see this is one of those debated/personal preference topics. We tend to use a good bit of water when on full hook ups and have not had issues with leaving the grey tank open. As long as all your plumbing traps within the RV are working properly, there shouldn't be an issue with odor backwash. As has been stated, do not leave the black tank open. Let it get as close to full as possible. Make sure to flush it well when emptying. On your final dump of your stay try to remember to close the grey tank and get it full. After your final black tank dump and flush, chase it with the grey water. That way at least the black tank water wasn't the last thing in your hoses before break down.
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Old 08-11-2019, 08:10 PM   #10
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I save up the grey water and do a "cross-feed backflush" to the Black Tank.

This takes advantage of the fact that our Grey water valves are 3", the same as the Black. So, I flush the Black first, and use the Black tank spray to get more stuff.

Then, I close the Black valve and open the Grey valve. I have a clear adaptor to watch what is going on. The Grey water in the line backs up, so I open the Black tank valve to let some grey water go into it.

Then I close the Grey valve and watch a bunch of crap come out of the Black tank that I had just flushed. Maybe do this twice.

Leave enough grey water in the tank to do a final flush to clean the hose.

Note that this system runs a jet of water past the Black tank sensors, giving them a cleaning.

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Old 08-11-2019, 09:44 PM   #11
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Water, Lots of water is your best friend in the black tank. Open valves allow water to run out but solid matter will stack up and then you can't get it out.
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Old 08-12-2019, 07:46 AM   #12
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We only leave the gray open on days we do laundry. Otherwise it’s empty as
needed
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Old 08-12-2019, 01:41 PM   #13
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Old 08-12-2019, 01:42 PM   #14
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We only open those valves when flushing the tanks.

One more thing that we never do when in the park, is leave the black flush water line hooked up even though it's turned off at the hydrant. Why? Because if some well-meaning Park employee, or some kid playing with the water hydrant were to turn the water on and it was hooked up, it would be a disaster inside our unit.
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Old 08-12-2019, 01:56 PM   #15
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Never leave black tank valve open . You need lots of water to properly flush out the black tank. If you leave it open you run the risk of sediment building up in the bottom of the black tank and having a hard time getting rid of it later. Better to close the gray valves too so you gave soapy water to flush the lines when you do dump the tanks. For best results dump black waste, flush either by on board system or a bucket full of clean water down the toilet. Close black valve and then open gray valve(s). Also see the "Geo Method" for more info on tanks.
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Old 08-12-2019, 02:08 PM   #16
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Quote:
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Never leave Black tank valve open You can leave the grey- that’s your choice but usually close it sometime before you plan to dump them the black so you can use the grey after dumping the black to flush the line
X2
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Old 08-12-2019, 02:09 PM   #17
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On longer stays with full hook-ups we always connect the sewer hose(s) but only dump when necessary. And when necessary it takes mere minutes.

As mentioned, you'll never want to leave the black drain open all the time, ever!

As you can see, it is a personal preference thing for the grey but there is only one answer for the black... closed always until dumping.
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Old 08-12-2019, 02:11 PM   #18
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Think like its a canal lock.... raise the water level to transport or carry the ships to the next section. w/out the water in the lock the ship goes nowhere.... Sits on the bottom.
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Old 08-12-2019, 02:18 PM   #19
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Thank you

Good tips, thank you everyone.
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Old 08-12-2019, 04:32 PM   #20
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Only open Black tank valve when dumping. I never dump unless the tank is over 3/4 full. We never have smell. With that full of a tank that is allot of water force when the black valve is opened and really forces anything down. I only dump when ready to leave usually and then the whole tank flush starts. I always leave with water in the black tank so it is ready to use on the road, nothing ever piles up or gets to set up in there.

Grey tank I have left open, but started closing and dumping it about every two days. Why? If there is any sewer gas or smells it can travel up the hose and if there is a burp or gurgle in the p traps you smell it. My sewer hose has good seals and never any drips or smells around the connections so the pressure would go somewhere if left open... if p traps and the vent stacks are all working you shouldn't, but let the wife get a whiff of sewer and the happiness fades! So I keep it closed. But with showers, dishes, sink, etc. the grey tank will fill up much faster than black.
Everyone has their own routine and none is particularly wrong, but some will experience more chance for unpleasant smells, pile ups, clogs, etc.

Happy Dumping
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