dragonfly Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 We would like to know how to flush the gray tanks, and how often? We have found out how to flush the black tanks. Thanks for your help, Dragonfly travelers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 If you don’t have a tank flush system you could fill it with water and empty it but I have never done that with my gray tank in 40 years of RVing. Once each year I do mix a 5 gallon bucket with TSP and put it into the tank just before traveling and then empty it upon arrival. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 You dump when it's full, for most people just after your weekend trip, or if a full timer like me about once a week. I always flush my gray everything dump and flush my black so that the soapy gray water rinses the hose. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VC 23RSS Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 I currently have mine filled with a cup of Dawn and water. It will simmer for a total of three weeks before dumping it the morning I leave. Then fill with a 2-3 gallon of water and a couple oz of Dawn. Drive a day and dump the following morning. Hopefully this will clean the tank. I don't use bleach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 We've never flushed the gray tank. A helpful hint is to never let garbage, coffee grounds or grease enter the tank. We always took a used paper towel or napkin after eating & wiped the plates, fry pans, pots off to remove the majority of stuff. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Dreamer Posted September 15, 2022 Report Share Posted September 15, 2022 When I installed my Tornado tank flush on my black tank, I put on one my grey tank too so I flush the grey tank whenever I am doing the black tank if I am at a full hook up site unless I am running short of time or I am doing it at a public dump station and have others behind me. It does not need to be done very often but it can't hurt it either. Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 Dishwashing liquid and some water just before we move and let it suds up in there. Then dump it on arrival. Or in place and fill and flush. Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 We have a washing machine and a dishwasher so it get plenty of water Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 (edited) 8 hours ago, VC 23RSS said: I currently have mine filled with a cup of Dawn and water. It will simmer for a total of three weeks before dumping it the morning I leave. Then fill with a 2-3 gallon of water and a couple oz of Dawn. Drive a day and dump the following morning. Hopefully this will clean the tank. I don't use bleach. That needs to blue Dawn. You don't want the antibacterial stuff going into a septic system. Blue Dawn cuts grease even in cold water. But, I always figured just dumping my dishwater and shower water down there provided enough soap to not need to add to it. Linda Edited September 16, 2022 by sandsys Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 Bacteria is not an issue in a black tank, as it is not a septic system. You dump the tank every week or two. Just use lots of water and septic safe toilet paper. If you want, you can use a non-toxic tank chemical. Ken Quote Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinx & Wayne Posted September 16, 2022 Report Share Posted September 16, 2022 19 hours ago, RV_ said: Dishwashing liquid and some water just before we move and let it suds up in there. Then dump it on arrival. Or in place and fill and flush. We do this about every six months just after a long stay (we are full time). I also add a cup of borax dissolved in a couple of gallons of water. I put a total of about five gallons in the tank to slosh around. Wayne & Jinx Quote Jinx and Wayne 2006 Carriage Carri-Lite 36KSQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 3 hours ago, Jinx & Wayne said: We do this about every six months just after a long stay (we are full time). I also add a cup of borax dissolved in a couple of gallons of water. I put a total of about five gallons in the tank to slosh around. Wayne & Jinx To put this in perspective, how big is your gray water tank? Maybe the reason I think dishwashing and shower soap was enough is that my gray water tank was only 20 gallons? Linda Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce t Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 I'm with RV. We never dump before hitting the road. Some dish washing liquid into both black and grey tanks. Then when we get to our campsite we dump the black followed by the grey. Then a quick rinse with water and no smells while camping. The road movement stirs up and cleans the tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 I do nothing special, with the exception of avoiding dumping frying grease and food into the gray tank. Haven't had a problem with a gray tank in the past 40 years. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 1 hour ago, Ray,IN said: I do nothing special, with the exception of avoiding dumping frying grease and food into the gray tank. Haven't had a problem with a gray tank in the past 40 years. X2. The gray tank has plenty of soap already. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 Dishwashing liquid leaves a scum and it's not good for the sensors. Try doing dishes in your sink and drain the water without rinsing the sink. What's left? You don't need to add more soap to the tank. There's plenty in there already if you think soap is good. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpsinc Posted September 17, 2022 Report Share Posted September 17, 2022 I seem to remember that the culprit is glycerine or animal fats(grease). It sticks to the surfaces and by default the sensors. Seems I read some using Calgon to clean their tanks. Safe and effective. Also use some ice cubes before traveling to act as a scrubber while on the road. Not used personally mostly because I am a fan of the idea of using blue Dawn, but dont do the dumping AFTER travel. Will definetely do that next time to see if that is better. Should be from where I sit. Great thread! Quote Marcel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 13 hours ago, rpsinc said: Seems I read some using Calgon to clean their tanks. Safe and effective. That is one of the interesting parts of RVing mythology. Calgon is a product that causes minerals in hard water to solidify and settel to the bottom as particulate matter. Read the lable on their box sometime. It has nothing at all to do with grease. (My mother used it for laundry water from the well for yerars.) The following is a quote from the Calgon Co. website. Calgon has a unique formulation with active ingredients being polycarboxylates which softens hard water, preventing limescale from forming. The addition of Calgon to hard water causes the calcium and magnesium ions of hard water to displace sodium ions from the anion of Calgon. This results in the removal of calcium and magnesium ions from hard water in the form of a complex with Calgon. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimK Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 I have a cassette toilet and I use chemicals to keep the odors in check. I found that after a few weeks of use the grey water tank really stinks. I now use a screen on the kitchen drain to remove almost all the food particles. That helps but the odor still builds over time. Periodically I add a half cup of bleach to the tank and then rinse it a couple of times when I have access to a dump station. Many NFS or NP campgrounds do not have dumps and of course dumps are extremely rare for BLM and bookdocking areas. My grey water tank is small. I have a 5 gallon bucket that I can use for a couple of trips to a suitable place to dump. That might be an area designated for tent campers to dump kitchen water, a toilet or some other suitable place. This works a lot better when dumping grey water that is mostly just shower water instead of grey water that really stinks. Again, a little bleach and rinsing the tank every few weeks works wonders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonfly Posted September 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 Great answers. Very helpful. We hadn't thought about how we were already adding soap from dishwashing and the shower. Another question: I think the answer might be No, but can the gray tank handle our black tank treatment liquid that cuts odor, dissolves toilet paper and reduces other things to liquid? Or is it too caustic for a gray tank? Dragonfly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 11 minutes ago, dragonfly said: can the gray tank handle our black tank treatment liquid In most cases the answer is yes. Look at the directions on the lable as most products say that they are for both tanks but there are a few companies that make a product for each tank. You should never use any caustic product in your waste tanks because that would damage the septic systems used in many campgrounds but any commercial product isn't likely to be that way. The second thing I would suggest is that most of us who have been RVing for years do not usually use any kind of wate tank chemicals. As long as you use enough water when you flush, the natural bacteria in the black tank will liquify what is there as long ast it is only human waste and septic safe toilet paper. I have not used any sort of tank chemicals in more than 20 years, except that if we have company and are filling the black tank more quickly than normal, only then do we use one of the biological additives just to speed the process. In most cases the same natural process that makes a septic tank work starts in the black tank and over a few days will liquify most of what is there such that the rush when emptying a half full or more tank will carry out any remaining solids. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 soap is made with oils/fat and lye. I'm sure all older military veterans remember the tan color blocks of issue lye soap. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 1 hour ago, Ray,IN said: soap is made with oils/fat and lye. I'm sure all older military veterans remember the tan color blocks of issue lye soap. Examples of fats and oils used in soap-making include: lard tallow olive oil coconut oil avocado oil almond oil jojoba oil hemp oil cocoa butter mango butter shea butter Use oils from animal or vegetable sources only. Soap can’t be made with petroleum-based oils. Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 4 hours ago, JimK said: I have a cassette toilet and I use chemicals to keep the odors in check. I found that after a few weeks of use the grey water tank really stinks. I now use a screen on the kitchen drain to remove almost all the food particles. That helps but the odor still builds over time. Periodically I add a half cup of bleach to the tank and then rinse it a couple of times when I have access to a dump station. Many NFS or NP campgrounds do not have dumps and of course dumps are extremely rare for BLM and bookdocking areas. My grey water tank is small. I have a 5 gallon bucket that I can use for a couple of trips to a suitable place to dump. That might be an area designated for tent campers to dump kitchen water, a toilet or some other suitable place. This works a lot better when dumping grey water that is mostly just shower water instead of grey water that really stinks. Again, a little bleach and rinsing the tank every few weeks works wonders. Your occasional use of bleach would be OK for a home septic but at a campground that has a septic (which most public campgrounds have), if many campers use bleach it definitely is not good for a septic. "Bleach is used all over your household. But, your septic system does not approve. Limit the number of bleach products you use, how often you use them, and eliminate any highly concentrated products from your cleaning routine." https://advancedsepticservicesfl.com/chlorine-bleach-septic-systems/ Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted September 18, 2022 Report Share Posted September 18, 2022 Most popular “soaps” on the market—both bar and liquid—are made from synthetic ingredients, so they don't actually meet the definition of soap. For example, here is an ingredient list from a popular brand of shower gel: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Green 3, Green 5, Red 33. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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