I'm a British expat living in the mountains of Mongolia and our system is totally different. There's a black water cylindrical concrete tank. It's just connected to one toilet. I calculated it as having a capacity of 3300 US gallons. It's 2.5m diameter (outside) and 3m tall. This will need to be emptied very infrequently which is important since access to us is tricky. We're off-road. We are just a couple, no kids. Then next to that is a bottomless 1.5m dia x 3m tall tank of the same construction for grey water. This will be connected to a bath, washing machine and sink(s). Since it is bottomless it empties directly underground about 3.8m from the surface.
I appreciate your comment! That means a lot. Below is a link to the channels Facebook group. Come hang out and interact with us! facebook.com/groups/2584012825213480/?ref=share
Nice job on this video explanation of how a septic system works. Your delivery and the idea of your homemade "sludge judge" is great! I am looking to buy a home where there is a septic system in place. This gives me more information on how they work and what to look out for. I did learn a lot from this video and I appreciate the time and effort you put forth to bring this to us out here. Definitely clicked on subscribe and alerts. Thanks, again!
Great explanation. Would also be interesting to go over the leach field and what you can do and not do on it as well as how far away you need to stay away from it with driving and plant life.
I look forward to seeing your other videos. Excellent tutorial, use of diagram and actual footage of a septic tank made it easy to understand and compare to what I have. Clear explanation at a good pace. Nice!
What an awesome video best explanation I’ve seen and was looking for… I learned so much just watching this video in under 20 minutes!!! Well done sir I hope you continue uploading very helpful and educational contents like this. Thank you!
This was an excellent video with a great description of how the septic system should operate, thankyou for your time put into creating this, i found it to be very informative :)
Thank you for this video! I’ve been wondering how a septic tank actually works.. I’m actually about to have a septic tank put in for my new house I’m getting and just needed to learn more about it! You explained everything very well!!
Thanks for this man , just bought a house with a septic which I didn’t know it had a septic system realtor never told us and holy shit it’s been a nightmare but this definitely helps out a lot! Thanks
The inlet Dow pipe should be under the floating crust line and not as shown in your sketch,the crust that forms is to seal out the outside oxygenated air and allowing anaerobic bugs to work efficiency so waste is not introduced over but under the floating crust.
I do not have a specific enzyme that I like. You should safe with any common variation sold in store. These septic tank systems will last forever with the proper preventative maintenance. For the record, at our previous rental home, the septic tank could not be located and we never had it pumped. The owner of the house had it for many years and he was not even concerned with finding it or maintaining it. I’m a little more particular about my stuff.
Going to start using the Zep Septic Defense. Seems like septic systems are something that many people don't think about (myself included) unless there is a problem. Going to try to ounce or 2 of prevention 👍
@@TheDurbinCompound Just became a subscriber we bought a lil place in Dexter N.M July of this yr. Never had to deal with a septic tank, good info. we have 3bthrms and I've wonder how to make sure it doesn't over flow, and make a mess like in the movie ewwe. We also have a well & diff don't want any of that getting in it near it! IDK how far away it is from septic tank my husband probably does & most likely knows about septic tank info. but I'm city & his country.( If he doesn't I'll make him watch this). I watched this to set my mind at ease. And you remind me of our son 😊 Looking forward to more of your videos 👍
I see by your diagram and your septic tank, why the outlet needs to be lower than the inlet. If you were building new, about how much lower would you want your outlet to ensure positive flow out? Great video and explanation. Thank you.
So if I were to build my septic tank of blocks and concrete, would I have to plaster it off and make sure sludge doesn't seep through the base of the tank?
I am moving into a home with a septic system. This is the first home I owned with one. Your video was very helpful in explaining its operation. Question….is more better than less when it comes to dissolving the bacteria packets. Can an excess of bacteria harm the system? Thanks!
I’m not a biologist but I think the answer is yes. Too many bacteria can be harmful. I have had really good luck with never having to pump a system due to use. It has always operated healthy and broke down the waste fast enough.
Great job man. Me and the septic guy were 99% confident my tank was never serviced until today. How did it go 25 years with no issues?? Also, since I only dug up the center man hole and no other access panels does that mean there is an extra chamber that didn’t get drained today?
Kapena Otare average toilet flush is 1.7 gallons. At that rate, less than 20 flushes a day would fill a 1000 gallon tank in under 2 months. That’s off the toilet alone
Holy crap! Literally! 🤣 I didn’t know the water went into the ground! I know the earth filters it, but that’s gotta be carefully engineered not to cross with well water right?
Show leech field and how it sits relative to the septic? Thanks and great video! If the sludge goes into leech field, how do you fix that? If your leech field is wet and oily and 1500 lb riding lawn mowers go back n forth peeling out zero turning dune buggy mosh frenzy style will that f up the drain pipes in the leech field? If so, how do you even begin to fix that? Step by step-by-step 🚶♂️
Enzymes and bacteria are two different things. Enzymes are proteins that help break down solids - they are not alive. Bacteria are the live organisms that eat the waste and eventually turn it into gas. Bacteria produce their own enzymes, but additional enzymes can help the bacteria be more efficient. Many enzymes are specific to breaking down protein, fat, carbs, and fiber. For example, papain and bromelain break down proteins and are often used in steak tenderizers. Too much enzymes can actually kill off bacteria. So follow instructions closely. This is the type of product that a little goes a long way.
Any water that goes down the drain is going out to the septic tank. It is filtered as shown in the video and allowed to soak back into the ground. The waste water is in no way connected to your fresh water.
Paul_728 when the liquids leave the main large tank it goes out to leech lines buried in the soil, it then leeches into the soil and the soil continues to eat at the waste because soil is packed with about a billions microbial enzymes
to find your septic tank, shove a heavy metal snake down the pipe leaving the house, go out side with a good metal detector and follow the snake,. after you find the tank, do the same to find the general direction of the D box or fields, shove the snake in the outlet hole.. PS do not use a plastic snake,, looks like just an ad for Zep. maybe try a pack of yeast.
We were told, by the guy who inspected our septic tank when we bought our house, that our system was too new to our Rid-X in it. Is this accurate? Also, my wife generally uses antibacterial liquid soap. Is this safe for the system?
Maybe what he meant was, that it didn’t have enough waste in it for Rid-X to do anything....I’m not aware of any new designs in septic that wouldn’t benefit from enzymes. I have never had an issue with any soap used. I don’t think you have anything to worry about there.
The sludge stick is 75 bucks The cheap method runs whatever the cost of the cheese cloth supply you buy, plus the stick. This DIY septic tank stuff can be dangerous. What is the cost of medical care if you screw up with the sludge ? What's the cost if your kids or pets get it on themselves ? You, your family, and pets would be far better off if you paid the cost of a yearly septic check by the pros and got their report of your system than hoping that you know what you're doing.
I really dislike explanations that use improper design drawings to explain things, does not meet ASTM or IAPMO tank design requirements, will not watch the entire video
Make a video for us, with the proper design requirements so we can see! While you’re at it, it should be to scale. Please use a pictorial view, sorry isometric, so we can better understand you.
I'm a British expat living in the mountains of Mongolia and our system is totally different. There's a black water cylindrical concrete tank. It's just connected to one toilet. I calculated it as having a capacity of 3300 US gallons. It's 2.5m diameter (outside) and 3m tall. This will need to be emptied very infrequently which is important since access to us is tricky. We're off-road. We are just a couple, no kids.
Then next to that is a bottomless 1.5m dia x 3m tall tank of the same construction for grey water. This will be connected to a bath, washing machine and sink(s). Since it is bottomless it empties directly underground about 3.8m from the surface.
That best explanation I've seen among all the other videos of the same topic. Thank you!
I appreciate your comment! That means a lot. Below is a link to the channels Facebook group. Come hang out and interact with us!
facebook.com/groups/2584012825213480/?ref=share
Thank you for the easy to follow explanation and demo.
Best explanation ever....thanks a lot....i learnt a lot....and also thanks for demonstration
Best video ever. Very clearly explained. Thank you so much.
Nice job on this video explanation of how a septic system works. Your delivery and the idea of your homemade "sludge judge" is great! I am looking to buy a home where there is a septic system in place. This gives me more information on how they work and what to look out for. I did learn a lot from this video and I appreciate the time and effort you put forth to bring this to us out here. Definitely clicked on subscribe and alerts. Thanks, again!
I never fully understood the total dynamics of my septic system. Thanks for the info. You explained it very well!
Very helpful thank you
Thank you for your septic tutorial. I’m a city guy recently retired and moving to a country house. Your video was very informative.
This was really helpful, thank you so much.
Thank you for the detailed explanation, I always wondered how septic tanks worked, totally got it!
Great explanation. Would also be interesting to go over the leach field and what you can do and not do on it as well as how far away you need to stay away from it with driving and plant life.
I look forward to seeing your other videos. Excellent tutorial, use of diagram and actual footage of a septic tank made it easy to understand and compare to what I have. Clear explanation at a good pace. Nice!
Best explanation so far on TH-cam. Mneeded some info to build my own system. No I can go ahead with confidence
That was an interesting video, I learned a lot. Thank you!
thank you for all your help new home owner
Awesome! Good stuff. Join the Facebook group in the description, we’ve got a good group that can help with all sorts of stuff
Great video and very helpful. 30 years in residential lending and I’ve never heard of the sludge measurer and sludge percentage. Excellent.
What an awesome video best explanation I’ve seen and was looking for… I learned so much just watching this video in under 20 minutes!!! Well done sir I hope you continue uploading very helpful and educational contents like this. Thank you!
❤
Really well done. The illustrations and actual tank footage provided a clear explanation. Thank you!
Thank you very much I am a plumber in orange county ca looking for a home in Texas and they have all septic systems so this video was very helpful
Finally I understood how a septic tank works 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
We make these at my job this was a great video. Nice job.
Thank you for this explanation! I just got into a sales position for this industry and this was perfect to become more knowledgeable
Thanks man! You demonstrated everything with so much clarity!
This was an excellent video with a great description of how the septic system should operate, thankyou for your time put into creating this, i found it to be very informative :)
Thank you for this video! I’ve been wondering how a septic tank actually works.. I’m actually about to have a septic tank put in for my new house I’m getting and just needed to learn more about it! You explained everything very well!!
That’s what this channel is all about. Hope to see you around!
interesting...very good video and explanation of how a septic tank works....very informative for city slickers like me who dont have one of these 😆
KOTC! Absolutely! Thanks for the comment brother!
Also informative for the "city slicker" that bought a house in a subdivision that doesn't have a sewer connection.
Soon building my own, thanks a bunch for the info.
thanks you for your information I learning a lot in your video I want to try one in my home here in Tanzania
Well explained! You cleared my doubts about sceptic tank.. Thanks!!
Awesome. Great explanation. This went beyond the information I was looking for and it is all very helpful. Thank you so much.
Thank you. That was nicely explained. You’ve answered a few of my questions 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks for sharing and especially showing "live" system. Very informative. Keep up!
Great explanation of the sludge levels.
Thanks for this man , just bought a house with a septic which I didn’t know it had a septic system realtor never told us and holy shit it’s been a nightmare but this definitely helps out a lot! Thanks
Then you didn’t do your due diligence before you made the purchase
Oh my... super informative! Thanks!!!
The inlet Dow pipe should be under the floating crust line and not as shown in your sketch,the crust that forms is to seal out the outside oxygenated air and allowing anaerobic bugs to work efficiency so waste is not introduced over but under the floating crust.
Very informative. Very well explained. Thank you
100% I understand how it works thxks very much
im planning to diy my septic system...i have an idea but because i watch your videos i change my plan...im going to have a laborer😁
Agreed
Very good explanation
Thank you sir for your efforts. Well explained.
Thanks for the comment!
I’m a female homeowner- I can do handle this now! Tysm!!!
Let’s gooooo!!!
Great and in detail explanation of subject. Thank you!
Thank you very much!
Great explaining!
Very clear and to the point. Thanks for this. Will definitely help me in my next project
Thank you I understand how a septic system works you were a big help
Awesome! Thanks for the comment!
@@TheDurbinCompound what enzymes do you recommendI don't know if I have a concrete or fiberglass septic tank in Hawaii how long do they last
I do not have a specific enzyme that I like. You should safe with any common variation sold in store. These septic tank systems will last forever with the proper preventative maintenance. For the record, at our previous rental home, the septic tank could not be located and we never had it pumped. The owner of the house had it for many years and he was not even concerned with finding it or maintaining it. I’m a little more particular about my stuff.
Going to start using the Zep Septic Defense. Seems like septic systems are something that many people don't think about (myself included) unless there is a problem. Going to try to ounce or 2 of prevention 👍
Sorry I didn’t respond sooner! Sounds like a plan! Monthly upkeep will save you big bucks or reduce your cost over the long term!
@@TheDurbinCompound
Just became a subscriber we bought a lil place in Dexter N.M July of this yr.
Never had to deal with a septic tank, good info. we have 3bthrms and I've wonder how to make sure it doesn't over flow, and make a mess like in the movie ewwe. We also have a well & diff don't want any of that getting in it near it! IDK how far away it is from septic tank my husband probably does & most likely knows about septic tank info. but I'm city & his country.( If he doesn't I'll make him watch this). I watched this to set my mind at ease. And you remind me of our son 😊
Looking forward to more of your videos 👍
yvonne vieira thanks for the comment Yvonne. Look forward to seeing you around the channel! You might also benefit from my water softener video!
Very good explanation and good work,all the best for you.
Thanks.
👍👍👍
Excellent video, thank you!
I see by your diagram and your septic tank, why the outlet needs to be lower than the inlet. If you were building new, about how much lower would you want your outlet to ensure positive flow out?
Great video and explanation. Thank you.
I have no idea on that specific data Jerry. That is definitely something you want to consult with the manufacturer for
Great ideas. Thank you.
So if I were to build my septic tank of blocks and concrete, would I have to plaster it off and make sure sludge doesn't seep through the base of the tank?
Very informative video! Thank you.
Thanks for the comment Chris! Nothing but good things!
Good video
Good vid just bought a house and going to find out if the septic tank is full. Thank you.
Great.
Great job helping me understand this so much better!
Very informative.more video pls
Thanks 👍
Thank you.
I am moving into a home with a septic system. This is the first home I owned with one. Your video was very helpful in explaining its operation. Question….is more better than less when it comes to dissolving the bacteria packets. Can an excess of bacteria harm the system? Thanks!
I’m not a biologist but I think the answer is yes. Too many bacteria can be harmful. I have had really good luck with never having to pump a system due to use. It has always operated healthy and broke down the waste fast enough.
Great job man. Me and the septic guy were 99% confident my tank was never serviced until today. How did it go 25 years with no issues??
Also, since I only dug up the center man hole and no other access panels does that mean there is an extra chamber that didn’t get drained today?
No you should be fine. I’m sure the septic guy wouldn’t have left if he had any doubt that he didn’t get anything. It is one tank after all.
Hi. Does this system work with clay soil and a lake about 200 feet away
good explanation, i would like to introduce us how to calculate the volume of septic tank
Very good video
Thanks! Appreciate your comment!
Very informative 👏 👌. Thank you
How low the septic outlet pipe should be from inlet pipe ? What should be the length of Vertical pipe in outlet T pipe to avoid scum from going out ?
Great video..........question How much fluids comes out of the back outlet a day/month/year???
Once the tank is full. It puts out as much as you put in. Except for the solids have fallen to the bottom
Kapena Otare average toilet flush is 1.7 gallons. At that rate, less than 20 flushes a day would fill a 1000 gallon tank in under 2 months. That’s off the toilet alone
so typically what is the height differential between the top of the interior wall baffle and the height of the outlet pipe ??
Holy crap! Literally! 🤣 I didn’t know the water went into the ground! I know the earth filters it, but that’s gotta be carefully engineered not to cross with well water right?
Right. You will never find a well close to a leech field (drain field). Mine are 200ft from each other.
TheDurbinCompound I see, I forgot filtration systems can be used for well water as well. Better to be safe!
Please provide references/citations regarding adding bacteria to a septic tank. Would have like to have seen taking the cheese cloth off the pipe.
Show leech field and how it sits relative to the septic? Thanks and great video! If the sludge goes into leech field, how do you fix that? If your leech field is wet and oily and 1500 lb riding lawn mowers go back n forth peeling out zero turning dune buggy mosh frenzy style will that f up the drain pipes in the leech field? If so, how do you even begin to fix that? Step by step-by-step 🚶♂️
Very informative.
JUST BOUGHT ZEP, LOOKING FOR INFO. GREAT JOB SHOCK TROOP!
Plz make video of three chamber septic tank and which one is better????
What is the minimum size for septic tank use by 3 people in the house
Enzymes and bacteria are two different things. Enzymes are proteins that help break down solids - they are not alive. Bacteria are the live organisms that eat the waste and eventually turn it into gas. Bacteria produce their own enzymes, but additional enzymes can help the bacteria be more efficient. Many enzymes are specific to breaking down protein, fat, carbs, and fiber. For example, papain and bromelain break down proteins and are often used in steak tenderizers. Too much enzymes can actually kill off bacteria. So follow instructions closely. This is the type of product that a little goes a long way.
When you flush the Toilet and use the sink does that water get pumped back into your water or does it just get pumped out elsewhere
Any water that goes down the drain is going out to the septic tank. It is filtered as shown in the video and allowed to soak back into the ground. The waste water is in no way connected to your fresh water.
Paul_728 when the liquids leave the main large tank it goes out to leech lines buried in the soil, it then leeches into the soil and the soil continues to eat at the waste because soil is packed with about a billions microbial enzymes
@@chief5981 oh ok, thank you for for the explanation.
It can't be healthy to breathe above the thanks when open..?
Theres your free biogas- in theory & with a few changes, but you are close! 🙂
On a baffled tank, does the pumper pump-out both inlet and outlet sides?
They better for what you pay them. So yes. Mine always does.
where's the septic defense sponsor lol
to find your septic tank, shove a heavy metal snake down the pipe leaving the house, go out side with a good metal detector and follow the snake,. after you find the tank, do the same to find the general direction of the D box or fields, shove the snake in the outlet hole.. PS do not use a plastic snake,, looks like just an ad for Zep. maybe try a pack of yeast.
Why doesn’t soap and cleaning agents kill the bacteria that breaks down the sludge in the septic tank?
We were told, by the guy who inspected our septic tank when we bought our house, that our system was too new to our Rid-X in it. Is this accurate? Also, my wife generally uses antibacterial liquid soap. Is this safe for the system?
Maybe what he meant was, that it didn’t have enough waste in it for Rid-X to do anything....I’m not aware of any new designs in septic that wouldn’t benefit from enzymes. I have never had an issue with any soap used. I don’t think you have anything to worry about there.
He told a that we should never use it because it could damage the system.
Jeffrey Davis hummm. That could be a mix of personal belief and liability reasons. I’m not entirely sure
Why I can smell something whilst watching this video :D
The sludge stick is 75 bucks
The cheap method runs whatever the cost of the cheese cloth supply you buy, plus the stick.
This DIY septic tank stuff can be dangerous. What is the cost of medical care if you screw up with the sludge ?
What's the cost if your kids or pets get it on themselves ?
You, your family, and pets would be far better off if you paid the cost of a yearly septic check by the pros and got their report of your system than hoping that you know what you're doing.
Enzymes are not bacteria.....Bacteria may produce enzymes, but they are not the same.
Very crappy video.
(Sorry, couldn't resist. Good video)
Yeah, it really stank.
I really dislike explanations that use improper design drawings to explain things, does not meet ASTM or IAPMO tank design requirements, will not watch the entire video
Make a video for us, with the proper design requirements so we can see! While you’re at it, it should be to scale. Please use a pictorial view, sorry isometric, so we can better understand you.
What a bizarre comment
HopperDragon I thought the same thing......always some joker who needs to say something.
Does the tank need to fill up with water first?