Smelly black water tank

[Wingdreamer]

I know that this has been discussed many times... Every time I flush the toilet, a strong rotten egg smell comes up out of the toilet. I've ruled out propane and battery smells. I've poured in chemicals to the blackwater and gray water tanks. I only smell it from the toilet. Question is.... What concoction can I make up, dump in and drive it home? I've read about dish soap, calgon water softener, oxyclean soap etc... I used the blue stuff in my potty in my previous pop up, I am now using the camco orange stuff. Trailer has been sitting for 3 weeks since our last trip. Would really like to make up something that I can dump in before we leave for home.

[KenHwy61]

I also have a similar problem and like you started using the orange tabs instead of the blue liquid. I am going to switch back and see if that helps. It seems when I switched is when things got smelly.

[nomad297]

Try using Happy Camper black tank treatment. Go at least double on the first few doses and cut back to the recommended dose once the smell is gone.

Bruce

[MtnGuy]

Make sure your toilet vent is not blocked.

Also, don't run your fantastic fan while flushing.

[Flybob]

Make sure you bathroom vent fan is not on. You can also add a few gallons of water ans some ODOBAN ( available at big box stores,) when the tank is sitting empty.

[bgrsr]

Make sure you flush the tank when dumping? May be leaving solids in the tank.

[aceinspp]

When you dump do you use the black flush system? Do you dump every time? Never carry waste when traveling to next CG if possible. We dump and clean on every move and add the blue Thurford chemical and add about a gal of water to it. TT sets for 2 to 3 weeks and no issues doing it that way. I've done this for years and never had a odor issue. Proper PM is a key factor. I see it's a new tt so might also check vent. Later RJD

[HATCHET19]

I use the Geo Method and I always flush my black tank. I have never had a smell from my toilet. Also, as others have mentioned, don't run your exhaust fan and make sure the vent stack is not blocked.

hatchet

[V-Lite Fun]

I use a clear elbow on the tank connection. I flush the tank until the water runs clear. That can take longer than you think. We never have an odor. With our motor home in the past, I just dumped, flushed down a couple of bowls full of water to flush it out and threw in a blue tab. It always stunk no matter what concoction I put in it. Keeping the tank clear is the key.

[livinontop]

Agree with V-Lite.... To avoid the bad odor, you need to flush and rinse til CLEAR, (through clear elbow). You can tell... it looks milky if not clear yet. Once clear, its looks like clear water through that see through elbow. Can take up to four times of filling with water and flushing before the water runs clear. Worth it tho so you get no solid build up.

[MeepMeep]

Originally Posted by HATCHET19

I use the Geo Method and I always flush my black tank. I have never had a smell from my toilet. Also, as others have mentioned, don't run your exhaust fan and make sure the vent stack is not blocked.

hatchet

Used to have the same problem, even using the black tank flush system and the blue pods. Then some seasoned veteran told me to try running the flush until it ran fairly clean....then close the black tank valve with the flush water still on and allow the tank to fill for about 5 min (ours is a 40gal). I was amazed how much more "stuff" came out when I opened the valve. I've been using this process for nearly two years now and it's worked remarkably well in lessening the odor

[Papa GLS]

Also use the clear elbow & rinse, rinse, rinse. Worth the time & effort.

[sparty047]

Sounds like the secret is to rinse the crap outta it.

[Iwannacamp]

Would adding bleach hurt anything?

When setting of course


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[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

Would adding bleach hurt anything?

When setting of course

Be careful there. I have cleaned mine with bleach, when odor and bacteria got out of control, but it is dangerous. Urine contains Ammonia. Bleach contains Chlorine. Now I am not a chemist, so if I am not precisely accurate don't have a fit... MIX Chlorine and Ammonia and you get Chlorine GAS and Ammonia Gas. Both pretty much poison to people.

BE CAREFUL

[robert.beck.7737]

RVs without an outside black tank flush can use five gallon buckets to pour water through the toilet into the black tank. I suggest you pour at least three buckets through the system with the black tank valve open. This will effectively flush out the black tank. Pouring the water through the toilet rapidly gives the water a strong flow which takes accumulated solids out through the black tank outlet. Again, at least three buckets.

[Nick M]

Just draining the black tank does not clean the black tank. I flush thoroughly until the water runs clear. If I'm not going to be using the camper for a few days I'll add about 1/2 gallon of bleach and dilute that with 5 to 10 gallons of clean water. This keeps the tank from generating odor while sitting in hot weather.

I flushed my black tank this past week and filled my 45 gallon tote 4 times. Needless to say our seasonal CG doesn't have full hookups. But at least I know it's clean now. I also close the black dump valve during the back flush process to allow water to accumulate in the tank. You will be amazed at how much sludge comes out when doing that. I'll use the blue stuff with the the next 3 or 4 tank dumps and then flush again. Lots of work in this CG but no smell when dumping or flushing the toilet. YMMV!

[derek6669]

Check the vent cap on the roof and try the GEO Method

[thecigarmann]

The rotten egg smell comes from the water having bacteria in it I think I read somewhere. I would sanitize my fresh water system to see if that helps.

[savoy]

The trick i have found is get one of those toilet wands to clean inside of tank, dump 5 gal bucket of warm water in stool & fill your black tank w/water take a drive then dump. While dumping dump 10 -15 gal water down the toilet to flush crude that has broken loose this will also clean your sensors. Make sure dont dump unless your black tank is 2/3 full.Use plenty of water when flushing toilet water is your best friend when it comes to black tanks