wheelman16
Boulder City, NV
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Joined: 04/09/2009
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I'm trying the black tank cleaning method of laundry detergent and bleach. My question is, can I fill the tank and let it sit all day for best results or will the bleach be harmful to the tank if I let it sit that long? Thanks, Bob.
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JoeGood988
S.Dakota
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Joined: 03/04/2005
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The hardest part is breaking up the deposits that build up & stick to the tank. It's a heavy PVC material so detergents will not harm the tank. But look at getting a wand that you stick down the stool and blast deposits from the tank. You can also add 15 gallons or so of water to the tank, drop in a 10 lb bag of ice cubes down the stool and drive down the road. The movement will let the ice cubes clean deposits and slowly melt leaving water and waste to empty down the sewer. I usually do this a couple of times a year when I'm going from one campground to another. I check in, hook up the sewer, dump, add chemical & water...ready to go again for a few months. Big key, lots and lots of water is needed in the black tank. You should end up with 2/3 water and 1/3 waste when you dump. The force of all that water trying to get out the hole sucks waste with it. Water, water, water!!
2003 3330 Jayco Legacy
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wheelman16
Boulder City, NV
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Thanks for the replies. I was concerned about any negative effect the bleach might have leaving it all day in the tank. I have a wand which I use periodically but right now I am interested in disinfecting and deodorizing the tank. I'm out of Calgon water treatment but intend to get some to help prevent toilet paper from sticking to the sides of the tank as well. Bob.
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shiltsy1
Twin Cities, MN
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Ice cubes worked well for us..... That and coming to the realization that the factory sensors can't be trusted very often!
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2004 Tiffin Allegro 28' / Dual Slides / Banks Power
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Jim@HiTek
Gresham, OR, USA
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Bleach won't hurt the tank. Many people use water softener along with lots of water and a drive to slosh it around to clean the walls.
 Jim@HiTek
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Goldencrazy
madison wi
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Dawn has to be the best thing for so many tasks. Put it in the tank and put it in the gray tank as well. I use it for stains in laundry and for washing vehicles. It degreases very well. I think the use on oiled animals from environmental disasters rather says it all, gentle and effective. Hard to beat that. So coupled with the previous recommendations of lots of water and some pressure as well as the abrasive of ice cubes you should have a clean tank. I bought one of the connectors for the outlet of the tank that allows me to back flush from the outside. Haven't tried it yet. Suspect it is just another way to get water in and if you want pressure the whirling action must come from inside. I wanted to install and in tank cleaning device but they could not get to the tank easily on my 2012 Winn Vista. Probably a good thing which means they are protected a bit more easily from freezing.
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korbe
Northern California
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When we first took our new to us 5er out camping, we went to a dump station on the way home and dumped and rinsed the black tank until the effluent was clear. Just for fun, I dumped in a bunch of ice and when we got home, I drained the tank again. I was amazed at what the ice separated from the tank walls. So now every so often, I will repeat the ice process, and when it comes out clean once at home, I know the tank doesn't have any more wall deposits.
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Trap
Alberta
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The best way to clean that I have found is to fill the tank about 1/3-1/2 full, add some Dawn and calgon. Drive to your next destination and dump and rinse,
Also we never travel with less than 1/3 full of water when possible and after 5 years our sensors still read accurately.
The worst you can do for your tanks is to dump at a dump station and store your rig with dry tanks, this let;s everything dry out and really stick to the tanks.
We do this for both the Black and the Grey tanks and it has worked great so far.
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larry cad
ohio
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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I was always under the impression that bleach was bad for the black tank chemistry. As with a septic tank, the bacteria help keep the odor down. Bleach will kill the bacteria, making it worse. This may be a rumor, but it seems to make sense to me. I've never used bleach in my tanks, just lotsa water and never had a problem with odor and my sensors work fine.
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kitch251
Aiken, SC
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My solution for cleaning the tank comes from a Tiffin Tech. Pour 1-2 cups of Pine Power (not Pine Sol) in your black tank that is 3/4 full. Add cubed ice, travel for a while and dump. It works for us. Of course it has to be done again............nothing lasts forever.
Jim
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