Garbage disposal/ septic question

[Bird]

they did not put a clean out port on the back half.

In our area, at least, it was apparently common practice to bury the first and last tanks, so if they ever needed pumping, you'd have to dig to find the lid. But I told my installer to begin with that I wanted a concrete "collar" larger that the lid to the tank that came to the surface, then a flat concrete lid on that, so I could open it anytime I wanted to without digging. I think he said the top of the tank was supposed to be a minimum of 6" below grade. Anyway, here's some pictures at a time when I had not re-established any lawn. The first picture is the overall system; tank on the right is the pre-treatment tank, green lid is the aerobic or treatment tank, tank on the left is the final water that was pumped out through two sprinkler heads to water the yard. The capped PVC pipe between the 2nd and 3rd tanks is where the chlorine tablets were added.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I made a decorative cover for mine in brick - a compass rose. Its in a brick walk. Actual cover is 6" below grade.

Have sink grinder and love it, though most stuff gets composted. No problems with septic system. Grinder is putting the same stuff in the system that you are - its not a problem. You just have to size the tank appropriately. Rule of thumb is its like another bathroom as I recall. If your tank is maxed and you put a grinder, you might have problems. Probably be fine I'd guess if you pump yearly.

I pump every 5 years with no problem, but I have small loads, an oversized tank, and leaching pits rather than a field. I'd be more worried about clogging a field. Leaching pits aren't legal to put in here any more - not sure why.

 

[Wis Bang]

dawzie, you have me interested in the septic additives like Rid-x. I have never used anything after reading a study, I believe, done by UNC that claimed additives offered no value in a properly installed system. As I recall the university offered the manufactures of the leading additives an opportunity to back up their impressive claims and none of them responded. In all fairness this was years ago and the additive technology may well have improved over the years.

My parents took over my great Uncle's house. He had a product [I do not know the name] he got by mail order that he added every month. The tank was only pummped out after mom and dad moved in when the house was approaching 30 years.

Dad took one package and added it to the sealed tank under the outhouse at the cabin and the level dropped about two feet!

After Dad passed away I tried Rid-X and it didn't do anything!

Rumor has it that the state is going to have the camp owners pump every year or two...we were forced to put the holding tank in 35 yrs ago and only have pumped it twice when there was a splash danger as other than deer season there is very little use. Going to be a waste of money...

 

[jinman]

The engineer who gave his approval for my aerobic system told me to flush 5 lb of dry dogfood down the toilet to get things started. I'm not sure that's the state-approved method of getting it going.

 

[Bird]

The engineer who gave his approval for my aerobic system told me to flush 5 lb of dry dogfood down the toilet to get things started. I'm not sure that's the state-approved method of getting it going.

Even amongst the pros, that's an ongoing debate. The guy who installed our aerobic system said we shouldn't add anything. So called the manufacturer and again was told to add nothing, But someone else told me instead of Rid-X to flush a pound of raw hamburger down the toilet. And after the first 2 years, I had a maintenance contract with an installer that was not only closer, but who had installed a septic system for my parents. And after I had the system pumped, then he added something he said was similar to Rid-X, only better. But I don't know what it was.

 

[Charlesaf3]

I've been told rid-x is useless - you make everything the septic system needs if you use it. Which if you think of the bacteria involved, makes perfect sense.

 

[jinman]

I've been told rid-x is useless - you make everything the septic system needs if you use it. Which if you think of the bacteria involved, makes perfect sense.

I think you are correct Charles. I never added that dogfood and my system has been trouble free except for sprinkler heads (I ran over with the tractor) and one aerator motor went out after 7 years. That cost me only $395. We have to have a contract for 3 yearly inspections and the cost of chlorine pills. I use about $20 dollars worth of pills a year and the inspection contract is $220 per year. I don't think I'm paying anymore than if I lived in the city and had city sewage. My system is simple and easy to maintain. I've included a picture of it during installation and afterwards. I had the system built before I built my house and put my cabin on it as you can see. Now with my house and cabin the system is still trouble free. I add chlorine and fix it when it breaks. I like being in control.

 

[Nissan197]

My septic is going on two years and just last week I put some Rid-X down it. I heard that due to my laundry water feeding into it all that soap and bleach could affect the bacteria needed to break things down properly. It is code around where I live that everything from the house feeds into the septic.

 

[dawzie]

dawzie, you have me interested in the septic additives like Rid-x. I have never used anything after reading a study, I believe, done by UNC that claimed additives offered no value in a properly installed system. As I recall the university offered the manufactures of the leading additives an opportunity to back up their impressive claims and none of them responded. In all fairness this was years ago and the additive technology may well have improved over the years.

So dawzie it sounds as if you have looked into more septics than I ever want to and seem to believe in additives. Do you see an actual difference between systems that use additives and those that don't or think of it as cheap insurance so why not?

Thanks,
MarkV

Aerobic units shouldn't need any help. The air that is introduced into the tank creats a different type of bacteria and a bunch of it.

Septic additives are ment for systems that are abused. Clean freaks, washer bleach and water conditioner waste are the biggest abusers. It also can take months before there is any noticable change when using a additive that isn't very expensive.

We pump about 25 tanks a week. 80% of them are done because they are having a problem.

 

[Western]

Great responses,

I may forgo the expense of a disposal then, at times it would be nice, but it's not like we put a salad in at a time.

We don't have a Aerobic system per our perk test, just your standard 1000 gal. (2 tanks) system with 200 ft leach field. ( perk called for 160)

Would be nice to get some more perspective on the bacterial additives though.. Any definitive info on this? I have used a couple of products so far (8 month old system) rid-x in a pinch. seems like it's just yeast to me.