Black holding tank will not drain

[Emptypockets]

This is emptypockets again talking about UNIQUE. One winter in Quartzsite, AZ got to visiting with a gentleman while our wives were doing the laundry.
He has quit a story of working with chemicals etc. To make a long story short he gave me & another gentleman a free quart of the stuff & I have been using it ever since. I can't believe how clear the water comes out of the black tank.

Hope someone else can give their opinion of how it worked on the sludge problem. As a side note for years now my wife washes dishes & rinses them in small dishpans that well set in our sink - then we dump that water down the stool. Helps keep the amount of gray water down & at the same time add liquids to the black water.

[Herk7769]

That is a terrific idea. Most likely we will be dry camping quite a bit again this winter. I will definately let the DW know about this technique.

[BigDTx]

I am going to try the RV Digester next, atleast the blue chemical has taken care of most of the odor. I will let you know how the digester works I will be ordering a bottle ASAP.

Thank you again for the help and suggestions

Best Regards,

Dan

[masonga]

I'm going to have to try this stuff too...I am having the same problem and feel certain there is a lot of packed solids in the bottom of the tank. Have tried the calgon, but just isn't taking care of it. I think the Calgon is more preventive maintenance than corrective.

[Iggy]

It is just killing me not knowing what is clogging up the drain.

Final solution and I don't have any more.

[BigDTx]

I am going to call some septic pumping services tomorrow to see if they can suck it out.

[LadyWindrider]

Been watching/reading this thread, and all I have are questions, and a comment. Doubt septic pumping service will work, all the truck does is pull a vacuum, usually 4 inch nozzle, won't go through the 3 inch plumbing in campers.

If you have a few days, fill the tank full of water, and put some RID-X in it. Supposed to be a bacteria to help septic systems break down the solids. May want to keep windows open, not sure what it will smell like. Regular RV chemicals I don't think would work as they are made for regular usage. Other thought would be fill with water and detergent.

Final thought, it took several months for the bottom to be caked up, if that is truly what is wrong. You aren't going to fix it in one evening. Water is the most corrosive thing known to man, and Herk7769 will correct me if I'm wrong. It's not the fastest corrosive, but it works. Fill the tank with water, and soap, or RID-X, save some money by not going to dump, and let it sit for a few days.

[Herk7769]

Ouch!

I agree. Your problem did not happen overnight and it won't be fixed that way either (unless you replace the tank).

The RidX is a bacteria and enzyme soup use to break down organic wastes just like the RV Digester mentioned before.

While most likely a waste of money for "routine care" it does sound like the right choice here.

Yes,it will take a long time and yes, it will be stinky.

[granite]

Check your holding tank for sag. Our tank will sag so that the accumulation is lower than the exit. Thus, nothing came out. FR's "fix" was to install 2 thin metal strips across the tank. We plan to have more done, as the more in the tank, the more it sags, still.

[cfsoistman]

I agree with using RidX. You may try to help it along buy taking a 3 foot piece of copper pipe, flattened the end, solder it closed (optional) or anything that won't break off and try loosing the waste by opening the toilet valve and attack it from up top. You may be able to break it up some near the toilet opening and allow the RidX to get access to more ah POO. No matter how you approach it there's going to be stink. Try a little Noxzema under your nose. Old plumber's trick.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by granite

Check your holding tank for sag. Our tank will sag so that the accumulation is lower than the exit. Thus, nothing came out. FR's "fix" was to install 2 thin metal strips across the tank. We plan to have more done, as the more in the tank, the more it sags, still.

While this is no doubt true, I don't think sag is Dan's problem. The valve would have to be darn near completely blocked to have the issue he describes.

[BigDTx]

I found a local RV shop that sells the Digest it for about $12.00 a bottle. I am going to pick up a bottle this week. The guy in the parts department tells me he has seen it work on a TT that was lived in for three years and the dump valve was left open the entire time. He said the contents of the tank were overflowing into the potty and the traieler was never moved for the three years and the tank would would not drain at all. He told me it cleared the clog and he swears by it.

Well for $12 I really dont have anything to loose so I am going to try the sanke oil method.

I also talked to a mobile service that will clean out and sanitize the black and grey tanks including any caked up stuff for $225.00 anywhere in the Houston area as long as it is hooked up to a sewer and water, not my driveway. this is an option or possibly the next step after the RV Digest IT.

There are plenty of rv parks i can hook up to for this if needed in the area.

I am going with the Digest IT over the RidX simply because it is made for RV's and RidX is for septic systems.

Results of the Digest it to follow.

thanks for all of the ideas.

Dan

[Hatchet58]

and yes, The Ice works Great, I dumped 4 bags down mine, and added a Gallon of Bleach, went for a short drive to the dump station, and man did it break everything loose

[bmg]

Cousin Eddie swears by Digest It. He has no problem with his black tank even in a Chicago winter. Merry Christmas!!

YouTube - Merry Christmas, shitter was full

[revrnd]

LMAO

Classic

[Iggy]

This is a great clip from the Movie RV starring Robin Williams when he was trying to dump his Black Water tank for the first time.
You have to fast forward about 3 minutes into the movie before the real fun begins.

YouTube - RV part 3 of 10

[cfsoistman]

Two of my all time favorites. May the force be with you!!! or at least clear the tank blockage.

[bmg]

Robin Williams is good, but it's hard to beat Cousin Eddie. It seems that I have a few like him somewhere up the family tree. Like Jeff Foxworthy says: "you might be a redneck if your family tree is straight, not forked."

YouTube - Cousin Eddie Favs

[revrnd]

Originally Posted by bmg

Like Jeff Foxworthy says: "you might be a redneck if your family tree is straight, not forked."

Or resembles a telephone pole.

[BigDTx]

I thought you were not supposed to use bleach in the tank?

excellent movies by the way!