Black water tank filling up

[Jayspoint]

Do I really have to keep my Septic dump valve closed until full? Even though I'm hooked up to city sewer full time?

[007matman]

It's best to. Otherwise, things will just accumulate in there and you'll have a mess. Filling the tank ensures everything empties out of the tank when you open the valve.

[Schvarak]

Originally Posted by 007matman

It's best to. Otherwise, things will just accumulate in there and you'll have a mess. Filling the tank ensures everything empties out of the tank when you open the valve.

X2

[jeff64]

x3

You need the height (head)of material and the volume of liquid to help the "stuff" get moving really fast out of the tank. Even if your tank is only 1/2 full you can always add a couple jerry cans of water to it get it more towards full and get a good flush out

[Chief T]

If you have a black tank flush, run that too after dumping.

[Oakman]

Not completely full but at least two-thirds to three-fours full. The more liquid you have in the tank the better it is so that the solids will flush out when you open the valve.

If you leave the valve open all the time you're hooked up to sewer you will probably build the famous "poo pyramid" in the black tank.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Jayspoint

Do I really have to keep my Septic dump valve closed until full? Even though I'm hooked up to city sewer full time?

Yes, keep it closed.

Leaving the black tank valve open (even with full hook-ups) allows the liquid to drain away immediately and also allows the solids to pile up and stick to the tank where they can dry and harden into poop pyramids. You don't want that for sure.

If you've not filled the black tank by the time you are ready to leave, it isn't uncommon to wait to dump on the next trip out, providing it isn't weeks until you go out again.

As mentioned if you don't have enough liquid in the tank you can always add through the toilet or black tank flush to be sure the dumping procedure provides maximum evacuation.

[007matman]

Think of your black tank as a toilet for your toilet.. you wouldn't not flush your house toilet. The fluids being held in there help to clean the other stuff out.

[eye95]

Leaving it open also means there will be a direct open line from the sewer, with all of its aromatic gases, to the hole in the bottom of your toilet, without the benefit of water in u-traps blocking those gases (like there is for the grey tanks). P.U.

[Jayspoint]

Thank you all so very much I sure appreciate all your help!

[BandJCarm]

I did this wrong on our first trailer.

I don't anymore.



That said..........there ARE times that you just have to dump what's there. I spend about 150 nights a year in this thing. Sometimes when moving to a certain site for a long time, with NO facilities (such as daughter's driveway I'm sitting in right now), you sort of 'have to' dump at the prior spot. That requires filling up the black tank as best I can......(I use the black tank flush but am VERY careful not to overfill), and then flushing. But that's not the norm. The norm is to wait till it's as full as possible to flush it. But if you can't wait till it's full, then GET it full best you can.

[itat]

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a video comparing tank rinser products that you might find helpful. Some of the tested products are all but useless. Image how solids will literally pile up if the valve is left open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfTd0Slt_cU

[BobHanke]

Waiting to dump also gives the enzymes that should be put in the tank after a dump time break down the solids.

[eye95]

Originally Posted by itat

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a video comparing tank rinser products that you might find helpful. Some of the tested products are all but useless. Image how solids will literally pile up if the valve is left open.

So, after dumping and flushing, is it a good idea to put a few gallons of water and some additive into the tank for the drive to the next desto?

[bbbymac]

Great video. I have always used the wand down the bowl system and move it around so I an not just spraying the same spot all the time. With the clear demo tank, I can see why the sensors can give false readings. There is a lot of value in letting the wand run for 10 minutes or as long as you can.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by eye95

So, after dumping and flushing, is it a good idea to put a few gallons of water and some additive into the tank for the drive to the next desto?

Absolutely. A few gallons of water will also splash around and clean anything clinging on the sides and sensors.

[elchilero53]

If you do manage to wind up with the dreaded "Poo Pyramid", close the valve (if you can), add a bag or two of ice, add some water, hook up the trailer to your tow vehicle and take it for a drive over a windy, bumpy road. The ice will beat the crap out of the pyramid (pun intended), and you should then be able to clean the tank.

I sat a gas well in New Mexico one time and discovered that someone had left the dump valve to the black-wayer tank open in the trailer I used for sleeping quarters. I was able to soften the resulting "Poo Pyramid" by adding water and enzyme. Then I was able to flush the remaining solids out with a jet wand. It was nice and clean when the roustabout arrived to pick it up at the end of the job. He thought you were supposed to leave it open all the time. Sheesh.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

If you do manage to wind up with the dreaded "Poo Pyramid", close the valve (if you can), add a bag or two of ice, add some water, hook up the trailer to your tow vehicle and take it for a drive over a windy, bumpy road. The ice will beat the crap out of the pyramid (pun intended), and you should then be able to clean the tank.

I sat a gas well in New Mexico one time and discovered that someone had left the dump valve to the black-wayer tank open in the trailer I used for sleeping quarters. I was able to soften the resulting "Poo Pyramid" by adding water and enzyme. Then I was able to flush the remaining solids out with a jet wand. It was nice and clean when the roustabout arrived to pick it up at the end of the job. He thought you were supposed to leave it open all the time. Sheesh.

That ice thing doesn't work if I remember correctly. Again, a guy on YouTube did it in a mocked up clear tank in the bed of a pick up and the ice had no effect, probably because it floats. I'll try to get a link and post it.

Found it. It's the same guy!
https://youtu.be/iH6acEmqvcw

[Thurman]

I also vote to leave the valve closed as much as possible. One trick a fellow camper taught me is to dump the tank just before leaving then go in and hold the pedal to flush the toilet about half-way down to add water, lots of water. After you have gotten ready to pull out then use the TV to move the TT a bit back and forth. This mixes up whatever is left in the tank, then drain one more time. Once I get home, as we did yesterday, I have one of the macerator pumps that attaches where the flex sewer hose connects. I have a tap on my main line from the house to the septic tank and I can use a wand with the pump to really clean out my black tank. Even after cleaning out all I can with this method I finally add about five gallons of water and chemicals to hopefully remove any residue.

[Fishtexx]

My 2017 27RLWS came equipped with a black tank flush connection on the left side of the trailer. Is it possible Forest River equipped it with the Tornado rinser type nozzle, or is it just a basic open hose directed into the black tank? This is the first camper I have owned with a black tank flush port, in the past I have always opened and run water from the toilet during my drain and flush process.. Thanks for posting the video, very informative. This part of camping in probably the "crappiest" job, I would prefer no issues in this area.