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Old 11-16-2016, 08:18 AM   #1
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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!


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Old 11-16-2016, 09:00 AM   #2
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 09:08 AM   #3
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 09:17 AM   #4
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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!!!!!
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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Old 11-16-2016, 09:22 AM   #5
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 10:17 AM   #6
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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?


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Old 11-16-2016, 11:17 AM   #7
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 01:04 PM   #8
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 01:32 PM   #9
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I like to add TanktechRX to a few gallons of water. So far so good.
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Old 11-16-2016, 01:49 PM   #10
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 01:52 PM   #11
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 01:56 PM   #12
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Good subject Kelly. I was always wondering about the same thing.
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Old 11-16-2016, 02:08 PM   #13
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 05:08 PM   #14
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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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Old 11-16-2016, 08:52 PM   #15
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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,




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Old 11-16-2016, 10:02 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by kdwallin View Post
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
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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Old 11-17-2016, 08:52 AM   #17
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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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Old 11-17-2016, 04:39 PM   #18
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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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Old 11-23-2016, 08:57 PM   #19
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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.

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Old 11-24-2016, 09:29 AM   #20
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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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