Full hookup question

[Carmel Clown]

Hi mentors. I am at my first full hookup site and need guidance. I have the hose connected and the gray water tank open so the water goes directly to the sewer. What about the black tank - open or closed. I currently have it closed and here is my reasoning. The tank needs RV tank chemical to dissolve “stuff”. If I have the tank constantly open, the said tank chemical is washed away and there is a chance that the hose will clog. That is the question, is my reasoning flawed. Be nice

[Shearwater]

Sounds right to me, just keep track of the level in that tank.

[Rockhead]

Keep both closed. When it’s time to empty the black tank, you use the grey water to rinse the black tank residue out of the sewer hose

[HABBERDABBER]

I'd keep the black tank valve closed until you leave, For a weeks stay, you're not likely to fill it. Before you leave, close the valve to your grey tank for a day or 2. Take a shower. Upon leaving, open the black tank valve first, drain, and then open your grey tank valve, which will flush the hose with cleaner water. Then flush the hose with water, if available.
Same procedure at a dump station. Black tank first, the grey tank flushes the hose after black tank evacuation. Then flush the hose with water, if available.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Rockhead

Keep both closed. When it’s time to empty the black tank, you use the grey water to rinse the black tank residue out of the sewer hose

Absolutely.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Rockhead

Keep both closed. When it’s time to empty the black tank, you use the grey water to rinse the black tank residue out of the sewer hose

THIS!

[splitting_lanes]

I was wondering how to flush the poop out of the hose. I’ll need that knowledge in four weeks.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Hi mentors. I am at my first full hookup site and need guidance. I have the hose connected and the gray water tank open so the water goes directly to the sewer. What about the black tank - open or closed. I currently have it closed and here is my reasoning. The tank needs RV tank chemical to dissolve “stuff”. If I have the tank constantly open, the said tank chemical is washed away and there is a chance that the hose will clog. That is the question, is my reasoning flawed. Be nice

I would leave both valves closed until you need to empty either tank......unless you want to take a really long shower......

Your black tank (and gray) is a holding tank - not a "treatment/septic" tank. Solids are normally not going to dissolve before it is full. Tank chemicals are way over rated IMO. Check out the "Geo" method.

You need some water in the black tank before "disposing" of solids in such, to prevent a pyramid effect..........

How much pre-use water you need depends on the black tank design. Usually a few gallons will do it......

Add a bit of Calgon water softener powder and a bit of dish detergent to the black tank water before use. Really helps to keep the tank / sensors clean. Some folks add a bit of diluted bleach as well..

You need the gray tank volume to "clean out" the stinky slinky after you drain the black tank.

Drain the black - close black valve - then drain the gray.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

I would leave both valves closed until you need to empty either tank......unless you want to take a really long shower......

Your black tank (and gray) is a holding tank - not a "treatment/septic" tank. Solids are normally not going to dissolve before it is full. Tank chemicals are way over rated IMO. Check out the "Geo" method.

You need some water in the black tank before "disposing" of solids in such, to prevent a pyramid effect..........

How much pre-use water you need depends on the black tank design. Usually a few gallons will do it......

Add a bit of Calgon water softener powder and a bit of dish detergent to the black tank water before use. Really helps to keep the tank / sensors clean. Some folks add a bit of bleach as well..

You need the gray tank volume to "clean out" the stinky slinky after you drain the black tank.

Drain the black - close black valve - then drain the gray.

Hi: 7Gentex... We carry a jug of cheap dishwasher detergent to add to the Calgon. It usually has bleach in it!!! GO Geo!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[johnnyv]

Keep em closed, open when needed. You'll get it.

[Ron in BC]

As posts 4,5 and 6 endorse, leave valves closed and open when needed, black tank first. We never use chemicals, haven't had to.

In the 19 we used the very convenient bathroom window to put the hose in to flush with fresh water. In the 21 we use a collapsible bucket to pour water into the toilet and give a final flush.

We finish by using the dump station hose to rinse out the sewer hose.

Ron

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

As posts 4,5 and 6 endorse, leave valves closed and open when needed, black tank first. We never use chemicals, haven't had to. .......


We finish by using the dump station hose to rinse out the sewer hose.

Ron

Ditto

Some of those tank chemicals smell worse than.............

And $$$

And you don't really want to know what is in them. Bad juju.

But, folks like to hang stinky X-mas tree "deodorizers" in their car and bath themselves and clothes in "Fe-Breeze" and scented dryer sheets..............Gag!

The sense of smell is supposedly the first to go with age.......

Though a majority of folks seem to smell like a Dow chemical factory these days!

[Carmel Clown]

Thanks everyone. I knew about dumping the black first at a dump station. Now I know about full hookup too. I didn’t know the “geo” method which I will definitely start using. I hate the chemicals. Now I’m a happy knowledgeable camper.

[alanerickson]

If you leave both closed then you can use gray water to flush hose after black water is emptied.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

Check out the "Geo" method.
Add a bit of Calgon water softener powder and a bit of dish detergent to the black tank water before use. Really helps to keep the tank / sensors clean. Some folks add a bit of diluted bleach as well..

I tried the Geo method and found it lacking. Calgon is not cheap. Dish detergent sloshing around, or just sitting if not underway, is not very effective.

And be careful mixing bleach with other chemicals.

"Mixing bleach and ammonia can be deadly. When combined, these two common household cleaners release toxic chloramine gas. Exposure to chloramine gas can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. In high concentrations, it can lead to coma and death".
I use Odorlos. It is designed to deodorize and dissolve solids.
As for chemicals, what do you think bleach is? And dish soap?

[Donna D.]

There's nothing in the GEO method that breaks down TP or solids. IT IS chemicals and perfumy ones at that YMMV. Do not use bleach, it's hard on the seals.

[gbaglo]

And this is the chemical composition of an apple.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

.........
As for chemicals, what do you think bleach is? And dish soap?

I know what chemicals are - and specifically referred to "tank chemicals", but...............

I just don't like the really stinky stuff which seem to be prevalent almost everywhere these days. Soaps, "deodorizers", scented dryer sheets (my neighborhood reeks outdoors during dryer times - the great outdoors - NOT!)

"That clean smell" - to me, means it smells like nothing...

Mixing bleach with others - Yes, standard precautions apply.

Darwin and doom are always around...........

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by 7Gentex

I just don't like the really stinky stuff which seem to be prevalent almost everywhere these days. Soaps, "deodorizers", scented dryer sheets (my neighborhood reeks outdoors during dryer times - the great outdoors - NOT!)

Odorlos does not smell.

[7Gentex]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Odorlos does not smell.

Good to know - Thanks.