Septic Tank Chemistry
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dmccarty
Super Star Member
But I bet it was done to code.
Code in my area only requires the filter side to have a riser.....
How about we replace the word stupid and inept to use ignorant? :laughing: I buried our tank so I prefer the word ignorant though inept is not inaccurate.
I had not idea there were two compartments in the tank.
Later,
Dan
GGB
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But I bet it was done to code.
Code in my area only requires the filter side to have a riser.....
How about we replace the word stupid and inept to use ignorant? :laughing: I buried our tank so I prefer the word ignorant though inept is not inaccurate.
I had not idea there were two compartments in the tank.
Later,
Dan
Dan,
Your probably right-it may well have met code. If so, it seems like another example of why code should be looked at as a minimum standard. And I'll agree with your description of ignorant rather than stupid. My Mother wouldn't have approved of my use of the word stupid!
In fact, until I found out about the second tank, I resembled that accusation!!! That's one of the great things about this forum-I've picked up a lot of education from the school of hard knocks from my own experiences, and appreciate everyone else sharing their experiences here to help me avoid a lot of mistakes.
Hopefully, I'll always been learning....
Maybe I missed it, but haven't heard much about how to clean or upkeep the arobic system , especially the last tank that pumps directly to the lawn sprinklers without pulling the pump and cleaning that screen. I try to keep the grease at a minimum but the garbage disposal is why I have one and I would expect the septic system to digest food products if used right.
Soundguy
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one phrase I've heard.. don't be quick to attribute to malice that which can be explained by ( stupidity, ignorance, ineptness, etc.. )
your choice on the last one..
your choice on the last one..
dmccarty
Super Star Member
one phrase I've heard.. don't be quick to attribute to malice that which can be explained by ( stupidity, ignorance, ineptness, etc.. )
your choice on the last one..
Well, I have done stupid things, meaning I did something I knew I should not do. In the case of the septic tank I was not stupid because I did not know there was a need for the second riser. Thus ignorant or maybe inept.
Running the front wheels of the tractor, sorta on top of the tank, after it was partially buried, could be considered stupid but I did not break the tank so I think I can escape the use of stupid to describe what I did.
Maybe. I would not argue the point. :laughing:Without a doubt the code IS stupid.
There should be a riser on both access holes. I was shocked when I found out there were to access holes and we were going to dig to find the other one. Thankfully I knew where the end of the tank was located. All of the cr....ap the county and state makes you do to get a septic field and the only spec one riser? The NC state code actually specs out how to build an out house for goodness sakes but they allow one riser......Later,
Dan
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my comment was directed tot he prev owner / setup.. etc.. not you
Pettrix
Platinum Member
One issue is that most people just go bare minimum on their septic tank size. If the bare minimum code calls for 1,200 GAL, they go 1,200 GAL. It's always better to up-size when building a new system. A 1,200 GAL precast 2-chamber concrete tank costs $1,400, while a 2,000 GAL precast 2-chamber tank costs $2,100. That $700 is money well spent for that extra 800 gallons of tank. The bigger tank will give you more capacity and in times when you overload the system (3 loads of kids laundry, in-laws visiting, etc), that 2,000 GAL tank will help a lot.
Also go bigger on the leach field. Don't just go bare minimum, get an extra line or two or extend the leach field.
Another issue is that standard or conventional septics rely on anaerobic bacteria to breakdown the waste and effluent. This is a VERY slow process. Meanwhile aerobic bacteria breakdown waste 20x faster than anaerobic bacteria. The question is how does one get aerobic bacteria into a conventional anaerobic system? The answer is oxygen.
Septic Tank Aerator, Septic Problems, Septic Repair, Septic Maintenance, Drainfield Repair, Septic Tank Diffuser
Engineered septic systems rely on aerobic breakdown to work properly. They all utilize oxygen to do so. Adding oxygen to a conventional system makes it an aerobic system and it performs much more efficiently.
As far as additives go. They are not needed UNLESS you are dumping a lot of greases, oils or heavy loads. In that case, they do help. Here is one that is widely used:
http://www.norweco.com/pdf/bg_broc.pdf
Also go bigger on the leach field. Don't just go bare minimum, get an extra line or two or extend the leach field.
Another issue is that standard or conventional septics rely on anaerobic bacteria to breakdown the waste and effluent. This is a VERY slow process. Meanwhile aerobic bacteria breakdown waste 20x faster than anaerobic bacteria. The question is how does one get aerobic bacteria into a conventional anaerobic system? The answer is oxygen.
Septic Tank Aerator, Septic Problems, Septic Repair, Septic Maintenance, Drainfield Repair, Septic Tank Diffuser
Engineered septic systems rely on aerobic breakdown to work properly. They all utilize oxygen to do so. Adding oxygen to a conventional system makes it an aerobic system and it performs much more efficiently.
As far as additives go. They are not needed UNLESS you are dumping a lot of greases, oils or heavy loads. In that case, they do help. Here is one that is widely used:
http://www.norweco.com/pdf/bg_broc.pdf
Pettrix
Platinum Member
What aerobic system do you have?
The reason WHY alternative/engineered septics have cleaner effluent is 95% due to the aerobic bacteria. They are much more efficient at breaking down waste and create cleaner effluent.
Egon
Epic Contributor
Remember a septic tank that is way oversized may not be able to produce enough anerobic action to keep the temperature up in colder climates.