Septic Tank Additives

[MRM]

Do these additives to reduce sludge and clean drainfields/piping actually work? If so, what do they do? Can they harm the system, or can they harm your wallet?

What are the best ways to avoid problems with your septic system?

Thanks!

 

[haggs]

None of thewse addititives has been demonstrated to be of any value other than psychological.

 

[Cosimo]

My 2 cents:

1. Additives are of no use
2. Spread out laundry to avoid overloading system
3. Avoid putting grease/paper products into system
4. Avoid cleaning paint trays in the sink
5. Pump tank every 2 years
6. Keep sprinkler systems off disposal field area.
7. Do not plant above disposal field.
8. Inspect outlet baffle on septic tank at every pumping
9. Check plumbing fixtures for leaks. A leaking toilet could add more water to the system that occupant use (do the math)

 

[alexit]

Maybe only psychological, but we add Rid-X once per year before leaving our summer cottage and have since 1951...the system is going on 70 years old and only needs pumping three times (leaky toilet, too many guests, water heater exploded and went down the floor drain.) Only a couple dollars, probably waste more on special soap for washing the car.

 

[mitchell54]

I have done the rid-ex thing as well on a rental and I know for a fact that the people renting aren't follwing Cosimo's guidelines....which any sensible homeowner should follow. So far so good, I really haven't had problems. If it is a pyschological thing I am not looking for therapy to fix it. As long as I continue not to have problems I will stick with it.....the classic motto " if it ain't broke don't fix it"

 

[MRM]

Thanks for the comments!

I wonder if a simple experiment could be done: get two glass jars, put spoiled milk and water in both, put rid-x (or other product) in one and leave the other as a control, and then put some type of food in both. Check periodically for how much degradation has taken place.

Anyone out there with a microbiology background who would care to comment on how telling a simple experiment like this might be, or how I could improve it?

 

[TerraSouth]

Additives are a waste of money.

NOWRA (National On-Site Wastewater Recycling Agency) has done studies on this very topic.

When you flush the toilet, the bacterial cultures are present and active. The problem, as other in this post have addressed is abuse and lack of maintenance.

 

[dicksewerrat]

Additives that the general public can get do little more than make one feel better. Leaving a system dormant for a time, two three weeks to months does more to help than "rid-x. There are some bacteria, grease eating is the one i like, that may help, though. Especially in those rentals.

 

[djfitch]

I have seen several bad experiences with Rid-x and would not recommend using it. A system if used properly should not require any additives. If one would like to use any, I would use products only sold to professionals in the industry and not on store shelves or Ebay.

 

[MRM]

If I may ask-what kinds of bad experiences? How did you know there might be a problem?

 

[dalcazar]

Although not a fan of septic tanks I have heard more than my share of stories about them since I used to work with and sell them. I've also worked with just about every kind of waste treatment system.

Any chemical additives are probably a bad idea, the bacterial population in your tank will adapt and optimize itself to your rate of waste input and it's composition over time, so if it ain't broke don't fix it. Septic tanks work anaerobically and anaerobic bacteria are very resistant to long periods of fasting since their metabolisms are very slow, however they're also very easy to kill by altering their environment quickly, that is why you want to avoid putting solvents, drain cleaners or bleach or anything else down there that would harm them.

the last thing you want to do is clean your drain field and kill the bacterial mat that inhabits your leach system, it's likely it will come off and run out into the rock lining and clog it, and you can't fix something like that with any ease, infiltrator chambers or anything like it are somewhat immune to this problem but you still don't want to kill it off because then your water won't be treated effectively.

So no, additives are very probably not worth it unless your tank has already been killed off, in that case you probably want to innoculate it with new bacterial adds and adding special stuff then can't really do any more harm

 

[rustynightowlovo]

most of the cause jelling of the soilds then when you have flux of incoming water the jelled ball follows the water out in to the drian field yes the tank is cleaner but then your drain field ends up being replaced due to plugged soils. there are many states that will not let you use these items because they cause more problems then helping. using a septic tank for what it was designed for human waste and graywater they work great, start using garbage disposal and washing paint brushes out, plant fert, potting plant in home or mixing for watering house plants and certian meds that people take,ie: heart and kindney, drain cleaners, grease, fats, coffee grounds, diaper wipes, and the likes, condoms, tile cleaners and toilet cleaners, all will have a bad affect on the septic tank.