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Black & Gray Water Tanks

One of the first things we talk to people about is the black and gray water tanks.  Do NOT leave the black water valve open when you are hooked up to a sewer connection at a campsite. By allowing the water to drain away, the solids will build up inside the tank. In a very short period of time, the tank will fill with solid mass and the tank will not drain. So, keep the black water valve closed until you are ready to dump. I have found that we can go one week before needing to dump and clean the tank. Close the gray water valve a day before you are ready to dump in order to let the water in that tank build up. This way you will send clean water through the hose after dumping the black water tank.

Also, one other thing that I recommend is for females to put the pee toilet paper in a wastebasket (I keep one next to the toilet). This keeps excess toilet paper out of the tank and makes it easier to clean the tank. I use toilet paper that states on the package that it is septic safe. Some trailers have an automatic cleaner, but I have found that is not always adequate.  So now you may ask ~~ how do you clean the black water tank?

Our black water tank is right below our toilet so I can step on the foot pedal and look straight down. I bought a toilet wand from Walmart, attached it to the end of a hose, and that's what I stick down into the toilet to clean the tank. But first you need to shut off the water to the trailer so the water does not continue to run.  We also use an automatic treatment dispenser that puts a measured amount of treatment into the toilet at each flush. (See the section on Blue Streak.) Using this and cleaning the tank once a week keeps the odor away and we have no issues whatsoever.