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Dumping Black Water

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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 11:02 AM
  #46  
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From: Red Deer, Alberta Canada
Originally Posted by Fueling around
I use automatic dish wash soap for these projects. It is low suds plus has grit to knock the scum loose. cup per 8 gallons
Good idea. That stuff has high concentrations of Bleach too.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 12:21 PM
  #47  
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From: Belgrade, Montana
Originally Posted by Fueling around
I use automatic dish wash soap for these projects. It is low suds plus has grit to knock the scum loose. cup per 8 gallons
Cool, thanks for the info.
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Old Aug 1, 2008 | 03:07 PM
  #48  
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From: Port Deposit, MD
Originally Posted by staarma
I have heard of the water softener trick before. I'll have to try that before winter storage this year. How much dish soap do you use so it doesn't foam too bad?
Teaspoon to 40 gallons. If it's not being agitated it won't foam up.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:39 AM
  #49  
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From: Oklahoma
Originally Posted by AlCorr
After dumping my tanks, maybe every 3rd. or 4th. time, I always add about 10 gallons of water with 2 cups Calgon water softener powder and a 1/4 cup dawn dishwashing soap. We then drive home and to the next campground letting the concoction slosh around in the tanks. You won't believe how dirty the water is that comes out. Once at the next campground we rinse and drain tanks and the water comes out perfectly clear.

So far this method has worked well for us.
This is called the GEO method and does work. I do mine about that often and it works. I do not use dish soap, I just use the drop in Thetford chems.

As far as not having a place to store your hose, have you crawled under your trailer and looked around? I was miffed that my toyhauler did not have hose storage and was going to get the white PVC tube and mount one, crawled under the trailer to see where I could mount one and low and behold there one was already mounted. The dealer did not even know they had them on there from the factory.

Hub
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 09:36 AM
  #50  
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PVC Pipe

I have looked under the RV and I'm sure I could figure a way to secure some PVC to the frame; I was just hoping there may be an easier way than having to crawl around under the RV to store it.
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 11:02 AM
  #51  
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For hose storage on mine I made some U bolts w/all thread and attached the PVC to the under side of the bumper. Easy to get it and very convenient.

Floyd
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Old Aug 5, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #52  
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From: Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Rocky
I have looked under the RV and I'm sure I could figure a way to secure some PVC to the frame; I was just hoping there may be an easier way than having to crawl around under the RV to store it.

Mine is along the length of the trailer so i do not have to crawl under it. It tucks nicley away right next to the siding. They make pre-made ones, let me find a link for you.


EDIT: Here is the link... it is called a EZ Hose carrier... http://www.valterra.com/RV/ez_hose_carriers.htm


Hub
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 05:22 AM
  #53  
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From: Raynham,MA
Originally Posted by AlCorr
After dumping my tanks, maybe every 3rd. or 4th. time, I always add about 10 gallons of water with 2 cups Calgon water softener powder and a 1/4 cup dawn dishwashing soap. We then drive home and to the next campground letting the concoction slosh around in the tanks. You won't believe how dirty the water is that comes out. Once at the next campground we rinse and drain tanks and the water comes out perfectly clear.

So far this method has worked well for us.

I also treat my grey tank this way. After awhile the grey tank will get a build-up on the bottom as will as the sensors and this concoction will cut the grease before flushing it out. You'll be surprised to see what comes out of the grey tank.

Also, the Dawn dishwashing does make a lot of suds, but no big deal, it does a excellent job cutting the grease.
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Old Aug 14, 2008 | 11:52 AM
  #54  
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From: Simi Valley, Calif.
FWIW, I use keep a box of disposable gloves in a bin near the sewer connection.
After having two 'cheapy" sewer hoses leak, Iv been using a Rhino hose for the past several months and have had good luck with it.

Aslo been using the geo method and it does work great.
As for the storage, Im using a plastic storage box for the hose and fittings.
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Old Aug 14, 2008 | 12:47 PM
  #55  
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From: Hemet, CA
I HOPE you all read my "LOLOLOL" meaning I was joking....
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 08:12 PM
  #56  
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Originally Posted by supr
I have read that the ics cubes do help the sensors. I think having 2-5 gallons and fresh water(after dumping the tank), with chenical(Thetford or whatever) works exteremly well keeping the tank clean. The main thing is never let your black tank run dry, ever.
Why not run the tank dry? I just did that 2 days ago. Should I add some water or something right away? I plan on taking out again in about 2 or 3 weeks.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 09:00 PM
  #57  
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Before dumping I run about two cups of bleach into the gray water then some
extra water. I dump a bit of gray water first to check for leaks or bad fittings. The black water is dumped fully, the tank is then flushed via a hose
connection on the outside of the trailer. The galley water is drained next
then the grey water with bleach. When disconnecting both ends of the hose
is rinsed in a bucket with bleach water drained and stored in the bumper.
Always, always dump some grey whater first to check for leaks. I learned
this the hard way.
BD
08 2500 Laramie
02 Cardinal 28 foot fiver
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 04:44 AM
  #58  
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From: St Augustine, Florida
Stock03, If you leave the tanks dry the seals at the valves may dry out and stick. May tear them. Same with the toilet. All ways leave a little liquid on the seals. The toilet seal can be sprayed with silicon to preserve them but you can't get at tank valve seals.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 03:45 PM
  #59  
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From: Houston
By keeping water & chemical in the tank, it prevents any solids from turning into concrete. Moving down the road cleans the tank. I have a built in tank sprayer and have never used it, as this method works so well. The seals, as also mentioned, is good for them too, however, the gray & sink, I run dry and have not had an issue. This also keeps the tank smelling OK too, at least, as good as it can for what it is.
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Old Oct 2, 2008 | 07:21 PM
  #60  
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Originally Posted by CarlJensen
Stock03, If you leave the tanks dry the seals at the valves may dry out and stick. May tear them. Same with the toilet. All ways leave a little liquid on the seals. The toilet seal can be sprayed with silicon to preserve them but you can't get at tank valve seals.
Ok I see. I'll be taking my 5th wheel out in a few weeks. I'll be sure to store it with a little water and cleaner in both tanks (black/gray). What about the fresh water? I had to cylcle 100's of gallons of water with a little bleach through mine. It smelled like sulfer. Should I put lemon or vinager or something else in the fresh water tank when not in use?
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