Aerobic Septic System Question

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trekrok

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I don't have much experience in septics, but is aerobic used because of soil type? Seems like a complicated system compared to the old style. To my knowledge my parents haven't done anything to their 30 year old system, but they are in sandy soil.
 

BobbyV

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I don't have much experience in septics, but is aerobic used because of soil type? Seems like a complicated system compared to the old style. To my knowledge my parents haven't done anything to their 30 year old system, but they are in sandy soil.
I believe the state requires them if perc tests don't meet their required parameters for lateral lines.
 

SlugSlinger

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I believe the state requires them if perc tests don't meet their required parameters for lateral lines.
In addition to the code requirements, our property perced, but we have a lot of very large limestone boulders under the topsoil and the aerobic system was going to be a lot less work and expense than installing an anaerobic system.
 

adamsredlines

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I’ve had an aerobic system since 2004. I’ve replaced the air pump, a timer for the water pump and I had to fix a broken water line coming of the pump the removes the chlorinated water from the tank. I’ve done the work myself.
Mine uses the 3”chlorine tabs and I stay on top of those and keep the tab reservoir from emptying.
I also added 5 sprinkler heads to the original 2 sprinklers. This helps empty the tank faster and keep more of the yard nice a green.

The only issue I have had is with a neighbor who doesn’t fill his chlorine regularly and if the wind is blowing just right when his sprinklers are going it smells like @&$!.
Oh, and I’ve had it pump out completely twice. They pump out all 4 tanks.

It doesn't stink without chlorine. If it was stinking it's because one of the first two tanks overflowed into the final tank and contaminated it or the aerator wasn't doing its job to keep the bacteria going.
 

Chaparral

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Run a snake. Putting chemicals into the system will kill your microbes and poison your land. The aerobic system will spread the chemicals on top, the older system will spread them underground. It is best to use only septic safe or natural cleaners. If it says antibacterial then you should never use it with any septic systems. Read the labels, friendly products do also cost less in many circumstances. The main chemical people seem to use is chlorine which kills the microbes digesting the waste in the septic tanks.
 

Parks 788

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In addition to the code requirements, our property perced, but we have a lot of very large limestone boulders under the topsoil and the aerobic system was going to be a lot less work and expense than installing an anaerobic system.
I'm guessing that between poor drainage we do have a lot of limestone and rock up here in Bristow that is real shallow.
 

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