Full timing black tank dump n flush

[Larry drv 7*3]

2009 DRV Elite Suite 36TK3, living full time stationary.
Have been dumping black tank on Sat. And Tues. Clean with tank flush system but still not totally cleaned out. Will flush 10 full bowls then open dump to wash out tank but still getting clumps.
How many days with 2 people do you dump?
Sometimes tank is totally full.
Should i dump every other day?
Have porcelan toilet with wall switch for fill and electric ball flush. My previous 5er i stepped on pedal and left hose wand down into tank filling it to flush out complete tank interior.

[Notanlines]

Larry, I'm going to ask a dumb-ass question, but don't you have a black tank flush that came stock with your DRV? And how many live in the RV?

[Larry drv 7*3]

Not a dumb question.
Yes there is a black tank flush. My previous 5er was a 1994 Avion which also had one.
We are a 60+ yr old couple so 2 adults.
I have found even tho the flush water is running out clear, if i dump water thru toilet into tank there will be debris continue to flow out.
With my DW inside filling and dumping toilet into black tank i monitor with on / off of flush and dump valve.
I am not sure spray pattern of flush feature but suspect perhaps dumping ever 2 to 3 days may provide more efficient cleansing of tank. Waiting til nearly full may allow excessive debris to cling to sides of tank. Thanks so much for your input

[Notanlines]

Larry, let me urge you to log on to Keystoneforums.com with the same credentials you use here (same owners) and introduce yourself (Tell 'em I sent you :rolleyes:) then post your dilemma. That is a very active site with a large number of knowledgeable members posting. You'll get your answer most assuredly.

[porkchop]

Why register on a Keystone forum to ask questions about a DRV product? Isn't the world complicated enough already?

Bill

[Notanlines]

A. Darn few members here
B. A black tank is a black tank
C. Brand would have no effect
D. Same credentials, no registering

[terry and jo]

This is interesting to see. We have a 2010 Mobile Suites with a toilet that dumps directly down into the black tank with a push of the pedal. We are going as much as 7 to 9 days before dumping. My process is to dump the black and then flush for 5 minutes, followed by closing and opening the black tank valve after 2 1/2 minutes each. Always have clear water after 5 minutes of flushing, and on reopening the black valve, we will have clear water after about 2 seconds.


I wonder if there is some kind of issue with your toilet system?


Terry

[MTK46]

Larry what chemical are you using in your tank?
We don't full time but do spend 3-4 months in ours in the summer. I found the "Geo method" to work great for us.
Have gone almost two weeks before we dumped twice last summer. Normal is like 7-10 days for us.

[Larry drv 7*3]

We are not using chemicals, they mess with natural bio chemical process especially dumping into a septic system. Not familar with a geo method

[Larry drv 7*3]

We have the porcelan electronic toilet so switch up to pump water into bowl switch down rotated ball seal to dump into tank.
After initial dump black tank flush runs clear after a couple minutes
Ball cycles open closed so we fill bowl 8-10 times after initial dump with valve closed. Then dump which flows mostly clear. But follow with black tank flush running and dump full toilets into tank with dump valve and when toilet is flushed there is always lumps and occasional paper when toilet flushed

[Notanlines]

Larry, created in the 1980s by Charles Bruni, The Geo Method uses a combination of powdered Calgon (water softener), laundry detergent (soap/surfactant), plenty of water, and often bleach or chlorine (to attempt to control odor). Bruni created what he called The Geo Method as a homemade system for treating the interior of your holding tanks.

This is not exactly an approved solution throughout the RV industry. And keep in mind that your waste and paper is not in your tank long enough to break down using any chemicals.

[Larry drv 7*3]

Thank you for the information, i will look into that

[Larry drv 7*3]

Thank you for the information, i will look into that
Seems like the softener / soap will add some slickness to the tank for improved flow

[MTK46]

Larry as dry water softener is had to find I use the liquid stuff. I buy the cheapest I can find. Same way with the laundry detergent. $3.99 for 200 oz of softener at the 99 cent store here. 99 cents for a gallon of detergent. In a old clean gallon coolant container I put 8 oz of detergent 16 oz of softener and add warm water. Shake it up and pore into the toilet. Add 8 oz of bleach and then flush.
No smell problem and like you say the softener helps from build up in the tank. It's cheap and it works. Nothing in it to harm septic tanks.

[KRUEBBE22]

We are fulltime, just my DW and myself. I need to dump the black tank once a week. I fill the tank 3 times from the tank flush and dump each time. I use Happy Campers in the tank and have never had a problem for two years now.

[Larry drv 7*3]

Have not been able to find a water softener. Maybe an issue here in the north?
Laundry soap added seems to be helping
Thank you for information

[Larry drv 7*3]

Kruebbee22, DW and myself fill bowl with water if flushing solids. So never gotten past 4-1/2 days. MTK46 advise of adding liquid laundry soap has seemed to help clean out somewhat.

[Dave A]

I take a 5 gallon bucket of hot water and dump it in the toilet as fast as I can. That seems to knock loose anything that might be kind of hanging up in the tank. A lot faster than filling up the bowl 10 times and flushing it!:cool:

[Larry drv 7*3]

My porcelan toilet uses a electric ball valve that cycles open then closed so my window for access to dump into tank is less than 6 seconds from open to close

[Dave A]

My porcelan toilet uses a electric ball valve that cycles open then closed so my window for access to dump into tank is less than 6 seconds from open to close

Never even seen one of those, got nothing for you. Sorry.

[mdedgett]

We have the TECMA electric toilet with the macerator. We have to dump every three to four days or tank fills full. We generally have no problem unless we go more than 6 weeks without moving, even if I back flush the tank each time I dump, waste builds up in the tank. I eliminate this problem by using TankTek RX. I put 2 oz in the tank via the toilet, I always make sure the tank is at least 70% full before I dump. I try to close the dump valve before it completely empties, leaving a few gallons in it; after dumping I always add 1/4 to 1/2 oz of TankTek RX in the tank. TankTek RX is helpfull in all septic systems, it keeps the waste digested off of the walls of the tank and prevents the buildup of unwanted waste byproducts other additives cause in the the tank, "Struvites". It is also extremely good at eliminating the odors.

Once a neighboring rig had a black water spill on the ground. I put a couple capfulls of TankTek RX in a 1 qt spray bottle and filled with Distilled water; I sprayed it on the entire spill area. The odor was gone within minutes and stayed gone. The chemical/enzymes digest the waste and it all becomes fertilizer on the ground without killing the grass.