Black Water Pyramid

HideoutSpadz · 08-13-2021, 03:33 AM

Looking for suggestions:

We continually have issues with our black water system where the “poop pyramid” is notorious. We consistently put water into the tank but find that the elusive pyramid forms almost every other day.

We have a 272LHS Hideout.

Any suggestions on this or is this a tank flaw in that there is some sort of a built in hump in direct line of the toilet chute??

TYI

**chuckster57** · 08-13-2021, 03:39 AM

Do you “start” with water in the tank? Try putting about 5 gallons in before first use. If the bottom of the tank is covered with water, then poop can’t stick.

HideoutSpadz · 08-13-2021, 03:45 AM

I’m not sure if I put 5 gallons in at the start but I’m hoping the toilet lever down for about a minute. I’d say I get 4-5 litres in it does sure to start. Trying to avoid having to dump every day.

Javi · 08-13-2021, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HideoutSpadz

I’m not sure if I put 5 gallons in at the start but I’m hoping the toilet lever down for about a minute. I’d say I get 4-5 litres in it does sure to start. Trying to avoid having to dump every day.

Fill the bowl 4 to five times after you dump the tank.. You have a 30 gallon tank and that would last my wife and I for 7 nights without any real effort...

If all you're doing is peeing then just flush and refill the bowl for the next time..

If you are pooping then flush, re-fill and flush again.. the bowl is less than a gallon..

**flybouy** · 08-13-2021, 05:08 AM

Poo pyramids are caused by insufficiant water in the tank. As has been stated start with water and flush with sufficiant water. Avoid dumping every day? If you have to empty the tank everyday then you either have a very large family or other issues.

CedarCreekWoody · 08-13-2021, 05:51 AM

If the drain pipe from the toilet into the tank is too long and reaches close to the tank bottom it can clog easily. You may be able to drain the tank and look into it, use a probe, or a flexible inspection camera to take a look.

**JRTJH** · 08-13-2021, 06:25 AM

Take a look at this photo of a typical black tank. Imagine that the toilet mount hole (where the poop goes into the tank) is on the far right side of the tank. When you pour 2 or 3 gallons of water into the tank to "charge it for use" that small amount of water will immediately flow to the "far left of the tank" and the water level will barely fill the 3" discharge hole....

Any time you flush, your poop is going to fall onto the "dry above the water level slope". With enough water in the flush, it "MIGHT" splash it down the slope a bit, but it also might not.....

If you're emptying the black tank every couple of days and there's just the two of you, chances are very good that you're "making the poop pyramid" by keeping the tank slope dry and draining all the water out of the tank before the water level ever gets close to the toilet mount hole.... In other words, you're not using enough water.....

If you have a 30 gallon black tank, fill it with 5 or 6 gallons and DON'T DUMP until you hear the burps and gurgles indicating a full tank. If the area under the toilet mount hole never are "under water" that area will always be dry and "piling up poop"....

Here's a link to a good explanation of what's happening to your tank. Configuration of black tanks is limited by trailer engineering and other considerations, so often it's "What you get is the only one that fits"... https://uniquecampingmarine.com/blog...ng-tank-shapes

More water, less frequent dumping and your problems will "disappear down the drain".....

Ken / Claudia · 08-13-2021, 06:26 AM

I quit guessing about how much water is it in before use. I use a old 1 gal plastic bottle. Fill and dump it 5 times, I now know I put 5 gals into the black tank. After a #2 flush with a full bowl of water or more.

{tpc} · 08-13-2021, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

I quit guessing about how much water is it in before use. I use a old 1 gal plastic bottle. Fill and dump it 5 times, I now know I put 5 gals into the black tank. After a #2 flush with a full bowl of water or more.

I think the second part of this is key for the OP. With my old keystone, we really never had any issue with a "flush and hold it for 15 seconds" type of situation.

With the new trailer, this has been less than successful. It was just one of the last 2 trips that I realized (or I think anyways) that they want you to lightly step on the pedal and fill the bowl way up before you step all the way and let it down.

I suppose you could do this "pre-use" but your mileage may vary on the "splashing" situation if you do. lol

NH_Bulldog · 08-13-2021, 06:51 AM

In John’s picture, my tank looks exactly like that. Fortunately the toilet on mine is on the dump valve end. With plenty of water, we have been spared the curse of the pyramid. I think of it this way; with practice you can estimate about a gallon of water and “material” with each flush. A 30 gallon tank should yield 30 full flushes (maybe a bit less). If you double the water use, that might yield 15 full flushes. For two adults, 15 two gallon flushes should yield you 3-5 days of use. I would experiment and see what using more water gives you.

rhagfo · 08-13-2021, 08:19 AM

So you keeping getting the pyramid, are you sure you are getting rid of it to begin with?
We get one occasionally, I will pour some fabric softener and liquid detergent down the bowl and let it set for about 10 minutes. Then get a bucket or two of HOT water and pour down the toilet!

nitrohorse · 08-13-2021, 12:13 PM

Maybe eat more salad and less cheese?

dutchmensport · 08-13-2021, 12:31 PM

Never had a poop pyramid in 30 years of RV ownership. Maybe it's because I am "anal" about keep the dang thing clean. I get lots of criticism on these forums for back-flushing, flushing, filling the tank, using the black tank flush, using the wand down the toilet, and attempting to keep it as clean as possible.

THIS is the reason why I take the extra measures.

Courser Farm · 08-13-2021, 12:43 PM

After camping in our LQ for over 20 years (2 LQ's, so 2 potties) we still have never had any issue with our black tank. But we never hook up to the sewers until we are ready to leave or to dump. And since we don't stay anywhere very long, the agitation of travel facilitates the smooth flow when we get home or to our next location.

GMH · 08-13-2021, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HideoutSpadz

I’m not sure if I put 5 gallons in at the start but I’m hoping the toilet lever down for about a minute. I’d say I get 4-5 litres in it does sure to start. Trying to avoid having to dump every day.

Are you at a site with full hookups? If so, use LOTS of water and don’t dump until the tank is full. Fill the bowl partially before going and follow with a second or third flush if needed. Make sure you use biodegradable RV paper and add a good “treatment” to the tank to help dissolve things.