Open or Closed???

[CygnusSailor]

How do others handle the black water discharge at full hook-up campgrounds? My thought was to keep it closed until it is fairly full so the chemicals have a chance to break down the solids. I've spoken to others who leave it open. Would leaving it open cause a problem of the solids building up in the tank without ever being broken down or is the tank shaped in such a way that everything goes out on every flush?

Sorry for the indelicate subject, but we are doing our first long term camping trip and I've never had this question before.

Gary

[PMSPKS]

Always leave the black tank valve closed until tank is nearly full. Leaving it open all the time will cause the solids to build up in the tank and cause problems you really don't want to have to deal with.

[Pnr]

Originally Posted by PMSPKS

Always leave the black tank valve closed until tank is nearly full. Leaving it open all the time will cause the solids to build up in the tank and cause problems you really don't want to have to deal with.

X2 ! For sure !

[avvidclif]

When you leave it open it's called "building a pyramid". And they are hard to remove.

[CygnusSailor]

Originally Posted by avvidclif

When you leave it open it's called "building a pyramid". And they are hard to remove.

Thanks for the quick replays everyone. You have confirmed my thoughts on the subject!!!

Gary

[dminer04]

There is a great YouTube video on how to clean your dump tank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6sv4d3PsTo

I have been doing this for a few months and no smells, the tank is clean quicker, and the sensors always work.

[BODERRVING]

X5 Another reason not to leave the black tank open is that when connected to the CG sewer system, you would have all of the gases coming back through your RV.

[longhauler]

another reason to keep it closed is so you have the force of it emptying the tank to help clean it out.

[Bert]

Originally Posted by dminer04

There is a great YouTube video on how to clean your dump tank.

I have been doing this for a few months and no smells, the tank is clean quicker, and the sensors always work.

Great video!