Dump or Not Dump Black Tank November 11, 2022, 02:04:18 pm We have a 20% full Black tank and could Dump it today for $50 locally which is a big hassle or wait one to three months and dump on our next trip for free. Would adding more water to the tank to mix it more help if we don't Dump? The LD and tank have been sitting for a 6 weeks now in unheated storage, where it would stay for another 8 to 12 weeks. Any suggestions? Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #1 – November 11, 2022, 02:12:59 pm As you know, full timers always have a busy black tank. I might wait if I couldn’t find a campground to dump. Adding water wouldn’t hurt but might not be all that beneficial unless users have been stingy with water while using the toilet. I would also consider adding a blend of bacteria and enzymes developed to restore the bacterial action in your black tank. And that’s my thoughts on the subject. 1 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #2 – November 11, 2022, 02:29:51 pm Just a suggestion, but I would dump the tanks (black and grey), flush them thoroughly, charge each with a few gallons of water, and add appropriately-sized measures of a bacteria-enzyme treatment. I've used both of these with good results.Unique RV Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment - Unique Camping + Marinehttp://www.eco-save.com/products-frame.htmlhttp://www.eco-save.com/products-frame.htmlI would not take a chance of any yucky issues developing in either tank over a period of storage, but YMMV, as always. 3 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #3 – November 11, 2022, 04:20:19 pm "We have a 20% full Black tank and could Dump it today..."Letting it sit for an undetermined amount of time could lead to a heavily encrusted ring of effluent on the inner walls of the tank. This could be a harbinger of future problems.As Joan indicated I would add a few gallons of water and dose it heavily with Eco-Save enzyme. That way those voracious little critters will have a chance to gobble up the nasties prior to your next outing! 2 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #4 – November 11, 2022, 04:27:17 pm The same septic tank enzymes that I use for the summer the summer soak and cleaning will liquefy the contents, a good flush when you are ready to travel again should do it.Deposit a packet of enzymes into each tank and then fill the tank to the top, this will remove any coatings that have built up over time.Larry
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #5 – November 11, 2022, 06:36:13 pm Thanks Ed, Joan, Steve and Larry for your insight. We have never left stuff in the black or gray tanks for more then a few weeks. We will add enzymes and water to the mix and let it sit till we head out next. ~Liam 2 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #6 – November 11, 2022, 07:16:51 pm Hi Liam. $50 to dump! and I was unhappy I had to pay $10 at a Flying Pilot somewhere in New Mexico. Just 15 gallons in a TK, not Like 120 gallons some trailers carry, or more. I'm going to guess unheated storage would freeze the contents, or at least not be warm enough to help enzymes do the job. I've left my tanks half or more full until the next trip(s) with no ill effect. But the 'TK tanks are simple and not large, so they are easy to flush out. Do you have a way to park near your house for an hour? You could dump there into a cleanout, or straight into a septic tankif you have that handy. Macerator pump if necessary. (no non enzyme friendly chemicals) I use a 'Sewer Solution' Amazon.com: Valterra SS01 RV SewerSolution Drainage Kit with 10' Hose and... to dump into the house driveway cleanout. RonB As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #7 – November 11, 2022, 10:22:45 pm We paid $49 for a 3 year Good Sam discount card at Camping World. It gives us a discount at many campgrounds, a gas discount at Pilot stations, a discount at Camping World when we buy camping gadgets, and FREE dumping at any Camping World. We always joke about our final dump on the way home from travels at our local Camping World. The card has paid for itself many times over! 1 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #8 – November 12, 2022, 09:35:12 am We’ve been blessed having a couple of RV campgrounds in the community we live in that have free dumps for residents. If leaving tank liquids in the LD while storing in unheated storage, in addition to adding water and enzymes, would it make sense to add RV antifreeze to the tank(s)?
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #9 – November 12, 2022, 11:52:47 am Greg, I would see no benefit from adding RV antifreeze to waste water tanks. If you have waste water in the tanks already, I would think any antifreeze you would add to the waste water tanks would become very diluted and ineffective. RV antifreeze is meant to protect your fresh water system and is often added to the P-traps to protect those from freezing and cracking. IF I was actively camping in freezing temps and wanted to give a little protection to my dump valves, I *might* consider using some cheap windshield washer antifreeze, not the more expensive RV fresh water antifreeze. Just my 2 cents and probably worth $.02 too.😁Steve K 2 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #10 – November 13, 2022, 02:59:34 pm We use Cheap window washing fluid and add it right after we dump so that it is the freeze resistant liquid next to our valves when we are going to be in freezing weather. Best time to buy it is usually in the summer time now since it's colder here I see the fluid at $4.99 a gallon, we usually buy it for $1 a gallon. We got caught this time with stuff in our tanks because we thought we would be going out again and could dump then. Now I have our LD all apart for plug and torque- in change, transmission fluid and filter change, radiator hoses and fluid change, oil and filter change and doghouse out plus other stuff so I will not be able to move it for another week (waiting on a part) and it's cold now 30s to 40s. Next week it will probably be raining. Ron, our Septic is downhill with a 4" pipe clean-out sticking up out of the ground but the closest we could get to it is about 100ft. I have thought of burying 100 ft of 3" pipe to that point. I have also thought of a macerator setup and garden hose but it has always been easier to dump before returning to the island. We have ordered didest-it and will add water and later dump when we go out again. Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #11 – November 14, 2022, 04:03:35 am Hi Liam; With the "Sewer Solution" you can use 100' worth of 3/4" garden hose, if it really is down hill to your cleanout. The instructions say 1" hose, but that would be on the flat or including an uphill portion of hose. The Venturii action of a high pressure 1/8" diameter jet, aimed into the 3/4" hose macerates the effluent well enough to flow through the hose. No need for a separate macerator/pump. My garden hose pressure is very high where I live, so that makes this technique work very well here. If I had to depend on motorhome water pressure, it might be slower. It also uses a bit of water, but a downhill run would have some siphon going once started. Rotating the nozzle at the gate valve directs the high pressure jet into the tank. For a 'not straight shot' plumbing in the MB that might not help much, but for my 'TK the jet is directly up into the tank. Always a powerful flushing action. But certainly would work for you, and the hose can be rolled up when you don't need it. (I have no monetary interest in this device, but it has been working well for over 20 years, without needing repairs. I didn't spend then what they cost now either!) RonB 1 Likes
Re: Dump or Not Dump Black Tank Reply #12 – November 14, 2022, 12:05:54 pm The Sewer Solution works fine for many folks.Our home has an uphill run to the drain so an electric macerator is used instead. Being on water rationing most summers, the SS wouldn't be a great choice for us. We use the macerator for driveway camping where a sewer cleanout is available or to pump out into pit toilets along with the 75' dedicated drain hose. It has been a handy device and makes dumping at home a not-too-unpleasant experience, something we do when the lines at the campground dump station are long. A better job of flushing can be done at home too.Macerator pump | FlickrLarry 1 Likes
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