septic tanks

[oleRocky]

I couldn't sleep wondering about how my septic tanks were going to work.

I was told to install two 500 gal tanks but I am wondering how they tie together because I was told that the inlet was 38" from bottom and the outlet was 33" from bottom. When I set the 2nd tank want that throw my holes out of alignment or do they make special tank where both inlet and outlet are the same? Sorry for the dumb question but I am really confused about how this is going to work.

Thanks

[dhill]

You may need to use a collection box to run to the two tanks. Why two tanks? You can buy a 1050 gal tank at Lowes.

[oleRocky]

No one here makes a 1000 gal tank and the nearest lowes is about 90 miles from me. Plus I don't have a way to set the tank and I don't think lowes would travel that far to set it.

I talk to the cement company and they informed me that the holes in the 2nd tank were both the same as the outlet on the 1st tank.

Thanks for the reply.

[VALENT]

Normally, on a two tank system you want the second tank's water level lower to give some extra volume to incoming sewage into the first tank while the second is draining into the lines/field.

[Sparks]

? Have you called all the concrete companies in your area? It's hard to believe that nobody in your area makes a 1000 gallon tank. That's a real common size for a 3 br house. But, of course you'll need a way to set it being they weigh about 6000 lbs.

[oleRocky]

I only have one town within 60 miles that makes tanks and they have two companies but both only make 500 gal tank.

We got both of them set Saturday morning and I finished my lateral lines and all of my connections on Sunday. The inspector is suppose to come this morning so hopefully he will like it and I can cover it up. :)

[Sparks]

Cool, good luck.

[oleRocky]

Well, the inspector just left and apparently he liked it. He said to cover it up. :D

What a relief, I wasn't sure how strict he would be.

Anyway thanks for all the replies.

[dhill]

Great job, Rock! All the hard parts done. I'm still not sure why you didn't buy you a plastic 750 or 1000 gal. tank, but I'm sure you did what was best. Have you put water in those tanks yet? Don't ask me why I ask. Hey, how about a pic of your work?

[Sparks]

Congrats. Did you use fiberglass tanks with a conventional leech bed?

[oleRocky]

No I used concrete, they wont let us use plastic.

For the lateral lines I used infiltrator panels. Those are some neat things.

Dhill, sorry I want be able to give you any pics because as soon as he left I started covering up because it is suppose to rain here today.

Thanks for reply

[Sparks]

I was talking to an excavation contractor about those infiltrator panels and he didn't actually believe they would work, until he tried em, now he's a believer.

[oleRocky]

To me they seem a whole lot easier than having to lay rock and then pipe and then more rock. You just snap these things together and put end caps on them and your ready to go. There may be places that you have to put gravel down but we weren't required to do it.

[bkrahmer]

1000 gallon tank. That's a real common size for a 3 br house Wow! I've got a 2500 gallon tank. That's for a 4 br/ 4 ba.

[Sparks]

Well according to a excavating contractor with 30 years experience and the engineer at the Health Department 1000 gallon is standard for a 3 br house around here, upstate N.Y. I wouldn't consider 4 baths to be the norm, well at least not around here.

[oleRocky]

I was just wondering if I need to but some kind of chemical in my septic to make it work properly?

Thanks again

[Sparks]

From what I've heard, it varies with opinions. The septic contractor that I know tells me he doesn't recommend any. He says adding products just interferes with the natural bacteria and enzymes that the system will produce on it's own. It makes sense to me and I tend to believe him as he is a reputable contractor that the health department engineer highly recommends. Just make sure you have the tank pumped (2-5 years I'm told depending on the number of people in the house) because if it overflows it will wreak havoc on the rest of the system and possibly do some damage. I'm no expert, I'm just going by literature I recieved from the health department and info. from the contractor.

[oleRocky]

Thanks Sparks.

I thought I had read that additives weren't a good thing but wasn't for sure. Thanks for reply.

[Sparks]

No problem. Glad to help.