For now, we are weekending it whenever we can. So we add contents to our holding tanks for two or three days. That is not long enough for the black tank contents to break down. At the end of the trip we dump all the tanks. Black first, then the two grays. I can't imagine that the chunks in the black are floating out even if I use the black tank rinse.
Is there a recommended regiment I should be following to maintain these tanks for my short trips?
BiggarView said
10:41 AM May 31, 2014
MarkS wrote:
...Is there a recommended regiment I should be following to maintain these tanks for my short trips?
Army Corps of Engineers "regiment" might be able to maintain your "tanks"
Lucky Mike said
10:43 AM May 31, 2014
Mark......I always flood my tanks after dumping to give them a second chance to clear out when it was a short journey......never had a problem that way!
Barbaraok said
12:20 PM May 31, 2014
Put water in, 1/3 of tank or so, when you first get there. Solids will be moved out with a sufficient volume of water.
Bare
Dave Buck said
12:47 PM May 31, 2014
I have a built in tank rinse. After dumping I close the valve and let it partially fill again and then open the valve and dump again. I do that a couple of times every time I dump. Haven't had a problem. I also have a clear section after the dump valve so I can see if when the flow is coming out clean. We do fulltime so my black tank is usually near full when I dump.
NorCal Dan said
01:10 PM May 31, 2014
I prefer bio cleaners. I've used them in the past with great results. I don't know exactly what they are made of, but I think it might be enzymes that break down the waste. I bought an liquid 4 oz. bottle at at RV store in Texas and poured it in my empty black tank. At the time my sensors were all reading full not matter how much flushing I did of the tank. After I poured that bottle in the tank I used the tank as normal for a week while we sat in an RV park in Oklahoma City. Before leaving for Branson I dumped the tank and discovered that my sensors were reading empty and after I did my normal fill/flush with clean water my tank contents passing my clear section of pipe was clean. I was very impressed. Go to your local RV store and see if they have liquid enzyme tank cleaner and give it a try.
I've also used Thetford Tank Level Gauge cleaner...Before pulling out of an RV park I dump the tanks, then put 1/4 tank of water in the tanks and add the cleaner. I then drive to the next park and use the tank as normal until full before dumping.
I found the internal tank sprayer to be almost useless...I could let that thing run for an hour with the waste gate valve open and still have sensors that read incorrectly. Not to mention a waste of my time to monitor the water. I've found the additives are much simpler to use.
For now, we are weekending it whenever we can. So we add contents to our holding tanks for two or three days. That is not long enough for the black tank contents to break down. At the end of the trip we dump all the tanks. Black first, then the two grays. I can't imagine that the chunks in the black are floating out even if I use the black tank rinse.
Is there a recommended regiment I should be following to maintain these tanks for my short trips?
Army Corps of Engineers "regiment" might be able to maintain your "tanks"

Bare
I've also used Thetford Tank Level Gauge cleaner...Before pulling out of an RV park I dump the tanks, then put 1/4 tank of water in the tanks and add the cleaner. I then drive to the next park and use the tank as normal until full before dumping.
I found the internal tank sprayer to be almost useless...I could let that thing run for an hour with the waste gate valve open and still have sensors that read incorrectly. Not to mention a waste of my time to monitor the water. I've found the additives are much simpler to use.