Black water tank help

[JGELAE1229]

Okay I feel pretty silly but I need some help. I was dumping a pail of some water down the toilet and didn’t realize until too late there was a spoon in the bottom of the pail that is now in my black water tank. How can I get it out and will it hurt anything if I don’t? Thanks

[RusLwt001]

Have the spouse with the thinest arm reach way down.....just joking. I don’t think it will hurt anything, but if you ever get that spoon back I wouldn’t use it.

[HangDiver]

If the spoon settles near the drain valve its just one more thing to potentially block solids from exiting the drain.

Is the toilet drain pipe straight or does it have an elbow?

[Flybob]

No good way to get it out unless you can see it with the flush valve open, then maybe a tool recovery grabber. Try a another spoon from the set, it magnetic (probably not) You can try a magnet in a string. If these don't work, It will most likely be OK. Get a clear 45 degree elbow for your dump hose so you can see if it got pushed out.

[rcguy]

You might try using a spray wand used for cleaning tanks to force the spoon to the valve then open the valve and retrieve the spoon. Dump into a bucket and pour down the toilet if that is the only option. It could cause a problem getting wedged in the valve or hose when dumping.

[5picker]

Yep, I think I'd try to get it out.
Answer the question as to whether the toilet pipe is a straight shot or has 45's in it.

If a straight shot, there are as mentioned, flex tools with 'Chinese fingers' on them or flex magnets. If not a straight shot, it will be tougher.

You might want to use an inexpensive flex camera to see where it is.
These are all over the 'net for <$20. (even Walmart) The camera has a magnet attachment too!

[ependydad]

Get the kids involved - call it fishing.

Just watch out for the brown trout!

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Get the kids involved - call it fishing.

Just watch out for the brown trout!

I probably shouldn't laugh as I know I'll be in a similar situation someday. Those are some pretty good suggestions above. I'm not sure how but I would definitely make the effort to get it out.

Good luck.

[Scrapper]

Most silverware are made from cheaper magnetic stainless steel. Only the most expensive are made from non-magnetic stainless.

[CYAH OUT THERE!]

I was lucky with a strong magnet and string.

[TonyShope]

Originally Posted by Flybob

No good way to get it out unless you can see it with the flush valve open, then maybe a tool recovery grabber. .

I just fixed the for a neighbor not to long back. No I did not get dirty.

Go to your local hardware store etc. Purchase a 24 inch or longer flex head magnet the ones with the most poundage the magnet will hold.

I stuck it through the toilet and fished it out. I am kind of weird about toilets & such, thus I did not tell the neighbor I threw a $25.00 tool in the garbage.

Never confident I can get something like that truly clean and it was gross on the way out.

[siskom]

Use a clothes hanger straighten it out then bend a 2 in section on one end and do a sweep in tank from toilet you can probably move it near toilet hole then you need a person with thin arms

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by siskom

Use a clothes hanger straighten it out then bend a 2 in section on one end and do a sweep in tank from toilet you can probably move it near toilet hole then you need a person with thin arms

And a LOOOOONG plastic glove!

[Mewcasa]

Originally Posted by JGELAE1229

Okay I feel pretty silly but I need some help. I was dumping a pail of some water down the toilet and didn’t realize until too late there was a spoon in the bottom of the pail that is now in my black water tank. How can I get it out and will it hurt anything if I don’t? Thanks

Another reason NOT to dump ANYTHING down the toilet! You really need to make an effort to get it out. Murphy’s law will strike at the most opportune time! Good luck getting it past a 45 or 90 degree turn. Let us know if you do get it out please!

[slipf18]

Knowing that spoon is down there, and irretrievably lost will only lead to unabated psychological torment. The only solution is to tow the thing into the dealer and trade it in for a brand new dreamboat...c!mon...you know you want one....and it's even Christmas!

[ependydad]

On the bright side, your mother-in-law will love the fact that she has her own special set of utensils at your camper!

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by ependydad

On the bright side, your mother-in-law will love the fact that she has her own special set of utensils at your camper!

Lol


More to the point... All of us would like to know how you get that out. Thats because all of us are going to drop a something into the black tank and we'll all be saying...."I wonder how that guy got his spoon out of his black tank".

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

More to the point... All of us would like to know how you get that out. Thats because all of us are going to drop a something into the black tank and we'll all be saying...."I wonder how that guy got his spoon out of his black tank".

For me- I'm going to be testing my utensils to see if they're magnetic!

[Wolverine 1945]

Maybe you will get real lucky,,, and it will flush out ???
Would probably work for us but you are a lucker person !!!
If you are going to go fishing,,, you may want to drain & flush first ???

[FordHauler]

Doug, you better test those in the dark of night. Kids will want to know "what are you doing?" An explanation will bring out the "really? let's see if daddy can get this out".
Let us know, a lot of us follow your adventures.
I think you are giving your kids a great gift, traveling their country, getting an education not many children experience. Best wishes, Merry Christmas.
Travel safe