RE: Auxillary Black Water Tank

stricsm · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

I m in need of an auxillary black water tank to augment my existing 25 gal tank. I m looking for at least 25 gallons, one that I can preferrably tow behind the truck to the dump station, and is easy to connect to the camper/drain hose and easy to dump. I d like to keep it around $100.00. Does anyone have any experiences with a particular type that they can share?

Trlrboy · Apr 23, 2003, 03:35 PM

stricsmAre you sure you don t mean gray water? Black water is the foul toilet stuff.

stricsm · Apr 23, 2003, 04:11 PM

stricsmNo - I mean black water from my toilet. I have a gray water tank also, but it doesn t fill up as fast. Four of us fill up the 25 gal. black water tank in about 24 hours.

Trlrboy · Apr 23, 2003, 05:36 PM

stricsmMaybe it s time to use the campground restrooms during the daytime and save the indoor plumbing until night.

Tim5055 · Apr 23, 2003, 05:42 PM

stricsmYou may want to check with the health department in the areas you frequent as the use of portable tanks for black water is illegal in some areas.

When I worked with the State of Florida Department of Health last year on the portable tank issue in Florida, they were very clear that they would not permit the use of a portable tank for black water. While you may not agree with their decision, they feel that the possibility of a spill is too great.

Portable taks are only authorized for use in Florida for grey/gray water.

You can read about Floridas decisions on [link=http://www.title-3.com/FlaDOH.htm]my Transportable wastewater containers page[/link]

tlhdoc · Apr 23, 2003, 07:30 PM

stricsmWow 25 gal. in 24 hours. The 4 of us used the cassette potty for 2-3 days until it needs emptied and it only holds a couple of gallons of water. A 25 gallon tank would last us for a week or more.

stricsm · Apr 24, 2003, 08:12 AM

stricsmThanks for the info. I don t plan on camping in FL w/o sewer connections. Where I want to use the tank it is still allowed - the CG has limited sites with sewer connections.

Flush type toilets use much more water than do porta-potties especially when you have a 4 and 6 year old that like to see the water swirl around when the valve is opened.

Trlrboy · Apr 24, 2003, 08:20 AM

stricsm

QuoteFlush type toilets use much more water than do porta-potties especially when you have a 4 and 6 year old that like to see the water swirl around when the valve is opened.

Maybe a little family training is in order here.

campingboaters · Apr 24, 2003, 11:41 AM

stricsmWe have a 25 gal black water tank on our Trailcruiser hybrid and have gone 4 days with 4 adults and a 4 year old using it and it was only 1/3 to 1/2 the way full. Are you sure the tank is full or is your gauge saying it s full? I remember a thread somewhere saying their gauge gets stuck or is not so accurate. I have found that our gauge is not perfectly accurate. It says it s less full after travelling and " things" settle.

Our unit flushes the same as a our old cassette potty in our Coleman popup except we just hold the valve open to get it " rinsed" instead of pumping the water around. Yes, you can use more water by just holding the valve open vs. having to pump a cassette potty, but if careful it shouldn t be too much more. Make sure the kids aren t using too much paper either. Definitely look into training the little ones or THEY should get the job of dumping when they get a little older! [: (]

Now that Im off my soapbox... [

] From what I understand, you can use the portable blue tanks for black water unless the laws of your state say you can t. AND unless " they" are checking, what difference does it make to them -- as long as you are CAREFUL? The gray and black water both go to the same place in the dump station. Also, when using a portable tank, I would be concerned with toilet paper or solids getting stuck in it. Just a word of caution. If you only use it for " #1" and don t put paper in it, I say go for it. Post how you make out because we re going for a week in August to a place with no water or sewer hookups and will need something too! [

]

GaryWT · Apr 24, 2003, 12:25 PM

stricsmHello everyone, the question was not do we use the toilet corectly or can you help us not go, it is about an extra tank. I would think you are looking for a blue tote on wheels type of thing. They are used in New England at a number of places. When full, they tie them on the hitch and off to the dump station. it is either that or pay for the honey wagon to come by. The blue totes come in different sizes, check out your local RV store or catalog.

SheBantam · Apr 24, 2003, 01:06 PM

stricsm25 gallons
Boy are you lucky. My 99 Bantam B-21 has 7. You all would be dumping 3 times a day at least with my tank.

I have a tendency to agree with trlrboy, the kids are old enough to learn what is the right way to flush the toilet and what is the wrong way. In fact, my toilet has 2 levers that can be pulled either together or seperately. If it was liquid waste, I would have the kids only pull the lever that dumps and not use the water lever.

We have had this trailer for a year and a half and have NEVER had the balck water fill up and my husband hates to walk to the restroom and uses it almost totally, as does my son. For me, it is an emergency toilet.
Not meaning to hurt any feelings or step on toes...

stricsm · Apr 24, 2003, 01:21 PM

stricsmCampingboaters - thanks for the advice - my gage may be fouled. I ll check it next time we are out.

Also, thanks to the others for the extraneous info - it is humorous.

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