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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper
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    Black and Gray Tank management while parked

    Hello,

    I'll be parked for quite a while with full hookups.
    ...Is there any reason why I should have either the Black or Gray valves closed?

    I ask because when I leave the Black open, the smell is reduced quite substantially, but didn't know if that caused any other concerns?
    ...including having the Grey valves open at the same time?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Long Hauler
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grand Master IceMan View Post
    Hello,

    I'll be parked for quite a while with full hookups.
    ...Is there any reason why I should have either the Black or Gray valves closed?

    I ask because when I leave the Black open, the smell is reduced quite substantially, but didn't know if that caused any other concerns?
    ...including having the Grey valves open at the same time?

    Thanks!
    We keep the black tank closed and make sure we use lots of water when flushing solids. Also we use the little pouches for the tank. The gray tank, it depends on what we are doing, I will close it when the black tank is getting 3/4 full do I have gray water to flush the sewer hose after dumping the black tank.

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    Mark & Mary. Full-timing across the USA (and Canada)!
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  3. #3
    Site Sponsor Richter's Avatar
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    You do not want to keep your black tank open. Doing so will provide you with a gift...a poo pyramid. All of the liquids will drain off and run out the hose. Everything else (poo and paper to help form the pyramid) will be left behind. Not a pleasant thing to fix, from what I understand.

    Keep your black tank closed, only opening it to drain when it is about 3/4 full. After you drain it, run about 5 gallons of water into the empty tank. Water, in the case of your black tank, is you best frien.
    Tom and Janice (known as Tom in PGH on the “other” forum)

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  4. #4
    Long Hauler
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    Quote Originally Posted by Richter View Post
    After you drain it, run about 5 gallons of water into the empty tank.
    I should have mentioned that. I always put 5 gallons in via the flush port. I close the gate and let 5 gallons flow into the black tank. Then I drop one or two (depending on how hot outside it is) of the tank pouches. Your dealer might have given you some, or Thetford and Camco sell their brand, plus you can find several others out there.

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  5. #5
    Seasoned Camper
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    We have two dump valves on our 311BHS. On extended stays, we leave the gray tank valves open and the black tank closed. We also create a P trap in the hose just before the sewer connection to prevent sewer odors. After dumping the black tanks, we do a good tank flush/cleaning each time which also cleans the hoses.

  6. #6
    Big Traveler Keebler's Avatar
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    Echoing the advice above. I like leaving everything closed and just releasing as I get near full. For the black tank, this is a must. As mentioned, more than leaving it closed, make sure you have water in it to start.
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  7. #7
    Site Team Ynot4me2's Avatar
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    I also keep them both closed. You really don't want things drying up in there and nasty fumes crawling in.

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  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper
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    OK thanks for all the feedback, everyone!

    The overwhelming choice seems to be to keep the Blank tank CLOSED, even though it smells much better to leave it open and have it drain as you go.
    And yes, of course I use those Deodorizer pods and liquids, but my experience is that that only works "ok".
    It sounds to me that what I need to do is FLUSH out the system more often from the external intake!

    As for whether to leave the GRAY Tank open or closed, there seems to be mixed feelings on that.
    I get that having them CLOSED will provide the volume of water I might need to rinse the hose.
    But I feel like all the times I use the sink and shower, it's already doing that continuously.
    So maybe the answer is leave them OPEN, until I'm a day or two away from draining the Black Tank; then CLOSE them to build up some water volume for a power rinse.

    ...Have I got it all wrong, or am I on the right path now?
    Thanks!

  9. #9
    Fireside Member
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    Having gone through the"poop pyramid" before its not a fun job to clear.The advice is sound keep the water in so it flushes the solids out.I usually fill my black to at least 3/4 when I leave in anticipation of dumping. Never had an issue with the old travel trailer and don't think will have with this one.
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  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper
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    Well, I hate to have to ask this question: But, "how do you know when you have the "poop pyramid"?
    ...smell won't go away? ...use a flashlight to look down the toilet? ...nothing is draining looking through the clear part of the hose?

    And what's the solution? Filling the toilet with lots of water won't do it? Flushing through the external inlet wont do it?

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