Wells, Sump Pumps and Septic Sewage Systems - Septic System bacteria additives

So, we recevied this package from a company called FBK productions. They sell this product called Septic Remedy. It is supposed to add bacteria to the septic system to the point where we are possibly not even required to pump it out. Is this a total joke or does this stuff really work? I have heard that these types of things usually do have a short term affect, but the long term affect is increased sludge build up and blockage. Any advice or pointers would really be appreciated!

Thanks! :)

Sounds like someone is trying to sell you a can of "flavored sand". I would advise against using this product.

I completely agree with Steve (DP).
Extensive studies of septic systems by North Carolina State University have determined that normal usage of a septic system provides all of the bacteria necessary, and that additives are totally unnecessary.
Their only recommendation is to pump the tank out at least every five years for routine maintenance.
Good Luck!
Mike

All I can say here. Is that we would put in 1 lb of bakers yeast mixed with 1lb of brown suger. In some warm water and flush it down.Two times a year. Had to pump the tank about every 5 years . With 8 people on it. Then we went over to Aerobic tanks and where done with all that.

My .02 cents

ED ;)

I have read through most of that research that was done on the septic systems and I agree with those that say that a septic system, under "normal" use, should not need or benefit from the addition of anything. However, if you read all of the background information you will see that the term normal is one that must be paid attention to in this instance. Septic systems should not be burdened with any "foreign loads" those being things like the discharge from the wash machine, the use of garbage disposals and paper that is not suitable to degrade in the proper manner. A normal septic system is really a nirvana, where the only things that enter it come from the toilets and graywater full of heavy organic matter from sink drains.

I have a septic tank that has been less than hospitable since I bought the house. Yes, I am one of those idiots that didn't seek an inspection of the septic system before purchase. Consequently, I have done lots of studying (and digging) in the area of the septic system. I too was recently touted to pour additives into my tank. I have to tell you that, although I was reluctant to do so, I purchased a box (went online and found other sources that were much cheaper) and tried it. I can tell you that the drains do flow better after I add the stuff. Within 24 hours of it's addition all of the drains flow faster.

DO NOT use a septic additive.

Here's why:

A septic tank is a fragile balance of supply (organic waste) and demand (the bacteria that feed on it).

Adding MORE bacteria will increase the demand without increasing the supply. The bacteria will bloom, consuming all available organic matter until it is exhausted, and then the bacteria will die. Essentially killing the eco-system of the tank. This will make any situation you have worse.

Assuming the septic system is working (ie drain lines not clogged, leech field perking ok and not compacted, etc), and you haven't introduced a great deal of inorganic matter (grease, hair and other products), a septic system really requires no maintanence, nor does it require 'pumping out'.

Another thing you want to avoid and a lot of people don't know, is milk. If that gallon of milk went bad, throw it away, don't pour it down the drain. Milk presents a significant bio load to a septic system.

What does the milk do?
Also I,ve heard of putting in brewers yeast but not sugar.What is the sugar for?
At our house we use the washing machine and dishwater alot.What should I do? I,ve seen how soap and detergent build up in a (soap trap) we once had.

Milk, sugar, brewers yeast, yogurt, pigs heads, are all things I have heard of thowing in your tank.
All of them are a waste of time in my opinion. Human waste has enough bacteria to keep a septic tank running.

Woooohooooooooo Pigs Heads! :eek: :eek:


I have to say, if I was the septic tank pumper and had that stuck on the end of my suction hose while cleaning the tank, I would pass out. :eek:

Putting a pig's head in the septic tank would be a complete waste of time and waste of a pig's head. :eek:

A more efficient way of dealing with a pig's head and one that would eventually wind up in the tank anyway, would be to boil it into a batch of head cheese. :)

Recipe available on request.

:p Im with GragH here but we have to make the blood sausage first then the head cheese. :)

ED ;)

Joed and Sider please reread. I didn't suggest putting milk in the septic, exactly the opposite, you shoud NOT put milk, ice cream (or other dairy products, cheese, yogurt, etc), in a septic system.

I knew that.I was just wondering what effect dairy products had on the system.

Organic matter in milk is not degraded in septic tanks. This keeps leach lines saturated and, under an anaerobic environment, milk fat seals the soil and the lines.

Remember, it's the last cup that causes the problem, not the first.

:mad: :confused: Why do I always have to re enter name and password everytime I go to reply?

sider68,

You probably have your cookies turned off or your security set too high.

Ok
I have read all of the replies reference the Septic System bacteria additives. What effect does toilet cleaners and bleach in the washing machines and occasionally down the toilet have on the bacteria in the septic tank?

For those of you who do use additives, are the ones you receive in the mail better than ones you can buy locally?

Thanks
:thinker:

What effect does toilet cleaners and bleach in the washing machines and occasionally down the toilet have on the bacteria in the septic tank?

Anything that kills mold and mildew in your bowl, will do exactly the same thing if you feed it a whole tank of waste.

Bleach and TY-D-Bowl have both been banned from my house. If you absolutely need it, I suggest you wash your "Whites" at the nearest laudromat.

Ahh....The Great Septic Tank Cleaning Debate!!!

This one has been around almost as long as..mmm...Fire?

From a professional point of view...... There are more valid points in all of the replies than not. However, septic tanks and systems are extremely dynamic, not only from household to household, but state to state, etc. The types of materials that are introduced into the tank (from the house) combined with the huge variation of soil types that septics are installed in, make it impossible to have "one" specific way or idea on how to treat a septic system. Period !

SOME BASIC POINTS

1. A septic tank DOES require periodic cleaning to remove the sludge that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank !
The sludge is inert material that has little or no biological content to be consumed any further! It also contains heavy ingredients that sink to the bottom. This needs to be removed from the tank. An experienced septic contractor can verify the rate of cleaning FOR YOUR PARTICULAR HOME.
2. Here in CT, we have plastic filters on the outlet of the tank. This is in place of the outlet baffle. Periodic cleaning of the tank also gives you the ability to inspect the tank and the components contained therein, along with cleaning the filter.
3. Anything that is likely to kill a living organism will at some level, upset the delicate balance in the tank. That is a very broad and general statement but true. Unless the balance is maintained, maximum longevity of the entire septic system will not be achieved.
Side Note: I mean no disrespect to anyone or their opinions on this issue. My family has been in the septic cleaning, repair and installation business for 68 years. I have personally been riding a septic truck for 16 years, along with countless repairs, installations and inspections. The operations of the business were passed to me as third generation. All of my opinions have been derived from personal experience in the field. I do consider myself a knowledgeable professional.

I welcome and encourage any questions or debate on this very important matter. GS :)

So, we recevied this package from a company called FBK productions. They sell this product called Septic Remedy. It is supposed to add bacteria to the septic system to the point where we are possibly not even required to pump it out. Is this a total joke or does this stuff really work? I have heard that these types of things usually do have a short term affect, but the long term affect is increased sludge build up and blockage. Any advice or pointers would really be appreciated!

Thanks! :)

Ive been in the industry since i was 6 years old, so thats about 31 years. I know these products, and understand how they claim to work. First, let me say that any chemical, bacterian, or otherwise that claims to remove solids from a septic tank should be avoided. If solids are imusified, and seemingly to disappear 1 of 3 things has happened:1) the dissolved solids are now entering your tile bed, suspended within the effluent, only to solidify later and cause real problems. This could be considered the worst case senario. 2) The solids have been dissolved from a upper-tank-level mass to a sludge at the bottom of your tank. This is acceptable as long you understand that after about 10-12 years your tank will be loaded with sludge from the bottom upward, and will still need to be pumped out. 3) The addition of fancy bacteria will in fact promote a more corrossive gas-density in your tank. Almost every concrete septic tank needs to have the rear baffle replaced eventually. ( most sooner than you can imagine) As near as we understand it is due to the corrossive properties of hydrogen-sulfide, the bi-product of organisms living in your tank. Left alone, without pumpout and repair, a concrete septic tank can dissolve to the point that many of my clients have discovered sewage entering their ground-water weepers around their foundation and eventually entering their sump-pits. It smell as bad as you can imagine. MY ADVICE IS TO NOT USE THESE DESIGNER PRODUCTS. AVOID DUMPING GREASE AND ANY HARSH CHEMICALS INTO YOUR SEPTIC. THIS ALONG WITH A SIMPLE PUMPOUT COULD KEEP A SEPTIC SYSTEM OPERATIONAL FOR UPWARDS OF 60 YEARS.NO-ONE KNOWS YET JUST HOW LONG A GOOD SYTEM WILL PERFORM. MINE WAS BUILT IN 1952. STILL ABOUT 60%.

Ahh....The Great Septic Tank Cleaning Debate!!!

This one has been around almost as long as..mmm...Fire?

From a professional point of view...... There are more valid points in all of the replies than not. However, septic tanks and systems are extremely dynamic, not only from household to household, but state to state, etc. The types of materials that are introduced into the tank (from the house) combined with the huge variation of soil types that septics are installed in, make it impossible to have "one" specific way or idea on how to treat a septic system. Period !

SOME BASIC POINTS

1. A septic tank DOES require periodic cleaning to remove the sludge that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank !
The sludge is inert material that has little or no biological content to be consumed any further! It also contains heavy ingredients that sink to the bottom. This needs to be removed from the tank. An experienced septic contractor can verify the rate of cleaning FOR YOUR PARTICULAR HOME.
2. Here in CT, we have plastic filters on the outlet of the tank. This is in place of the outlet baffle. Periodic cleaning of the tank also gives you the ability to inspect the tank and the components contained therein, along with cleaning the filter.
3. Anything that is likely to kill a living organism will at some level, upset the delicate balance in the tank. That is a very broad and general statement but true. Unless the balance is maintained, maximum longevity of the entire septic system will not be achieved.
Side Note: I mean no disrespect to anyone or their opinions on this issue. My family has been in the septic cleaning, repair and installation business for 68 years. I have personally been riding a septic truck for 16 years, along with countless repairs, installations and inspections. The operations of the business were passed to me as third generation. All of my opinions have been derived from personal experience in the field. I do consider myself a knowledgeable professional.

I welcome and encourage any questions or debate on this very important matter. GS :)

hell yeah, you know what your talking about. My name is James McCluskey. I own and operate McGruthers Pumping service, out of Holland Landing, Ontario. Like you, Iève been doing my job since the beginning of my life. Regarding these chemicals, I usually tell people that these things are produced because if they see it on the shelf, they begin to wonder if they need them. Soon enough they buy them.

Anything that kills mold and mildew in your bowl, will do exactly the same thing if you feed it a whole tank of waste.

Bleach and TY-D-Bowl have both been banned from my house. If you absolutely need it, I suggest you wash your "Whites" at the nearest laudromat.

I always tell people to use them spareingly. I also remind them to pumpout their tank every 3 years, or more often if they care to never replace a tile-bed

Are you as fed-up as me with the whole interlocking stone over the tank, so we removed the risers that the last owner had you install, so now you can pumpout my tank through this 3inch pvc pipe... damn my computer does this É rather than question marks now.

I knew that.I was just wondering what effect dairy products had on the system.

dairy products will not harm your system, unless your talking about 50 gallons at once. constantly adding batter, or flour will seal it up real fast.

An aerobic tank was an upgrade save your bucks, fella. most dont work for long.

I knew that.I was just wondering what effect dairy products had on the system.

I realise that this thread is really old, but just thought is was funny to see newmarket, ontario there. Actually were the main local company around there, so it stands to reason that weve maintained this system already.