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11-16-2016, 08:18 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 114
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Newbie wondering whether to leave some water/chemical in black tank between uses
Hi all. We have a new Forester MBS 2401WS Class C and steadily climbing our learning curve since we took possession in June of this year. Have learned so much from all of you so far, mostly lurking, and now have a question. Should we leave our black tank empty between camping trips after dumping, or keep a few gallons of water in it with or without additive?
We live in the south so have the benefit of being to take it out at least every 4-6 weeks all year-round.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Kelly & Mary Beth
2017 Forester MBS 2401W
__________________
Kelly and MB
2017 Forester MBS 2401W Class C motorhome
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11-16-2016, 09:00 AM
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#2
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Insert witty title here
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: About 30 miles west of Beantown.
Posts: 4,032
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It won't hurt your tank if you leave water in it but it won't help either. I like to have all my tanks empty between trips but that's my personal preference.
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2021 Transcend Xplor 247BH
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11-16-2016, 09:08 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,520
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We always put a few gallons of water with Odorlos back in the black tank. If your tanks are like ours, you can never completely empty them anyway. Have never had any problems with odors or build up like some of our friends who try to empty completely. We are like you, in the southwest we camp all year long. Have fun!!!!!
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Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
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11-16-2016, 09:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: In the Heart of Dixie
Posts: 2,001
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NMWildcat
We always put a few gallons of water with Odorlos back in the black tank. If your tanks are like ours, you can never completely empty them anyway. Have never had any problems with odors or build up like some of our friends who try to empty completely. We are like you, in the southwest we camp all year long. Have fun!!!!!
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We do the same thing, since we have been doing this we haven't had any problems with the odor, before sometimes we would have odor issues
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11-16-2016, 09:22 AM
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#5
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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After dumping/flushing, I always put about 2-3 gallons of water (along with just a little chemical because I also have a Blue Streak dispenser that dispenses chemical with each flush) to keep any small bits of debris left behind from getting hard and possibly sticking to the bottom of the tank and help with any odors.
The sloshing on the way home and then back out on the next trip, keeps everything working the way it should. About every 4 or 5 dumps I also use the GEO method of Dawn dish washing liquid and Liquid Calgon (along with 2-3 gallons of water) to clean and protect.
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
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11-16-2016, 10:17 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 114
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Good info - thanks all. Follow-up question re "the GEO method" - what is that and why would you do that every so often?
Kelly & Mary Beth
2017 Forester MBS 2401W
__________________
Kelly and MB
2017 Forester MBS 2401W Class C motorhome
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11-16-2016, 11:17 AM
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#7
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,074
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Google GEO Method and you'll get lots of reading.
Wait.. I googled it for you... GEO Method
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2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2017 Ford F-Series SCREW 4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=86
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11-16-2016, 01:04 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,602
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NEVER leave a black tank empty!
Always leave a few gallons of water in it.
As far as additives, that's up to you.
We like Odorlos and always add some for our black tank.
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Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
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2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
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11-16-2016, 01:32 PM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: West Chester, PA
Posts: 61
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I like to add TanktechRX to a few gallons of water. So far so good.
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11-16-2016, 01:49 PM
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#10
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Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,233
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Empty it when winterizing. Beyond that it's up to you.
I try to always flush it thoroughly after each outing (that's my job of course) and then my DW adds water/Calgon/detergent (i.e the Geo Method) after I'm finished flushing.
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2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
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2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
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11-16-2016, 01:52 PM
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#11
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Casino Camper
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: St Helens, Oregon
Posts: 184
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My tanks never completely empty and what remains is usually undissolved toilet paper. This is bad news if you leave your tank empty of fluid, the toilet paper will harden.
This time of year I pour antifreeze in the tank to protect the valve seals.
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2016 Cherokee 264L (Rear Living)
2013 GMC Sierra Denali
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11-16-2016, 01:56 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Washington State
Posts: 310
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Good subject Kelly. I was always wondering about the same thing.
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raptor
2016 Forester MBS 2401R
America is great
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11-16-2016, 02:08 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Warsaw,NC
Posts: 7,184
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I leave water in my black water tank and in winter I pour RV antifreeze in the tank, poop doesn't freeze to good anyway.
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11-16-2016, 05:08 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 211
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After dumping I put 2 or3 gal of water in tank and drop a packet of chemicals in and allow it to slush around on the ride home. Takes care of any thing remaining after dumping. Also I do not dump after each campout. We go out every month so I plan based upon 1) sewer facilities available at next month's camping and 2) present volume of black tank. Have not had any issues. Also was told that enzymes need to have a solution material to feed on; you don t want the tanks to dry and "stuff" to harden in black or grey tanks and you don t have to dump after each trip if you plan
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11-16-2016, 08:52 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 269
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A good shot of Dawn is good for the tank and will not cause any issues. Its nearly impossible to totally clean either tank so any detergent you can put in it is a bonus., rather than jus leaving it or just having water in it,
Brandon2
2014 2500TS
Sun Seeker
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11-16-2016, 10:02 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: California
Posts: 87
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kdwallin
Hi all. We have a new Forester MBS 2401WS Class C and steadily climbing our learning curve since we took possession in June of this year. Have learned so much from all of you so far, mostly lurking, and now have a question. Should we leave our black tank empty between camping trips after dumping, or keep a few gallons of water in it with or without additive?
We live in the south so have the benefit of being to take it out at least every 4-6 weeks all year-round.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Kelly & Mary Beth
2017 Forester MBS 2401W
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We leave a couple of gallons of clean water and a TST treatment in the tanks when we finish the last dump of our trip. Every few weeks I run a bit of water through all the faucets and flush the toilet. No odors at all and this has been our storage method for the last 3 years. We are lucky to live in S Calif and to be able to store our trailer next to our home ( where it serves as my getaway).
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11-17-2016, 08:52 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,306
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I always do a flush on the tank after use. I park the trailer with a lean to the left side (dump outlet valve side) and flush by filling with a hose through the toilet (valve closed). This will get everything out of the tank. It usually takes about three fill and dumps. I then let the tank drain fully and leave the dump valve open over the winter of course I have to put RV antifreeze down into the tank to prevent damage from freezing so I poor in tanks until it runs out of the drain. I then park for the winter dry. My suggestion is if you can leave water in the tank is that you fill it full and add holding tank cleaner chemicals to keep your sensors and valves clean. Always use the enzyme septic cleaners to keep solids and TP decomposed for better flushing.
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2003 Duramax
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Former Montana owner
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11-17-2016, 04:39 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 4
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we use the GEO method for years, We also camp year around. Rince and flush tanks when we get home and then put the detergent and calgon mixed with water in the all the tanks and add enough water for 2-3 gallons of water total in black tank. Then when we leave for camping I add an enzyme packet and repeat the cycle when we get home again. Never had an odor issue etc.
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11-23-2016, 08:57 PM
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#19
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Retired
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Sundeland, MA
Posts: 700
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kdwallin
Check out this FRF article "Black and Gray Water Holding Tank Maintenance" by By Charles Bruni posted 08-07-2007 by NDJollyMon.
After draining the B/G tanks we add 1gal of hot water/Calgon solution in each tank...we have not had any troubles with our tanks using this method. We also flush the b tank after initial dumping using the tank flush port on the TT.
Happy Trails
Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
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2017 Columbus 340RK
GMC Sierra 3500HD Z71 6.6L Duramax/Allison
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11-24-2016, 09:29 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,502
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My blackwater gate valves leaked when I stored my camper dry. I no longer do that and put in several gallons of water with treatment in the summer months and store with rv antifreeze in tank during winter months.
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