Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: Pacnorthcuda]
#2936701
06/25/21 01:52 PM
06/25/21 01:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,237 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
OP
I Win
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OP
I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,237
Bend,OR USA
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I live in a rural area and everyone I’ve ever talked to doesn’t believe in them. We do all minimize food waste and most importantly grease. the house I lived in SO CA had a septic system that consisted of a cement septic tank and cess pool with no leach lines, this system has a steel septic tank and two leach lines, no cess pool The steel tank needs replacing do to age and seeing some small holes in the top in it last week when I had it pump to make sure it wouldn't fail this winter. I'm going to see about having the old tank replaced now but my thinking about additives is to help the system break down all the solids we pump into it from the house, toilet paper and other solids
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: Dartforforty]
#2936762
06/25/21 06:24 PM
06/25/21 06:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,449 Dandridge TN
Dabee
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,449
Dandridge TN
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Couple cubes of yeast every 2 to 3 months to inhibit bacteria growth. .Helps break down the solids That to. Isn’t Ridx basically yeast?
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: Dabee]
#2936798
06/25/21 08:49 PM
06/25/21 08:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,186 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,186
PA.
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My house was built in 1974 and when I bought it in1985 the tank had never been emptied. Today it still has never been emptied. I don’t own a garbage disposal, use clothing detergent with phosphates, as close to zero grease as possible, and zero septic tank additives. I poop and the bugs eat.
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.42@138.27
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: Dabee]
#2936864
06/26/21 07:47 AM
06/26/21 07:47 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 712 New Jersey
Dartforforty
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 712
New Jersey
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Couple cubes of yeast every 2 to 3 months to inhibit bacteria growth. .Helps break down the solids That to. Isn’t Ridx basically yeast? It may as well be, I do not know. But yeast is cheaper than Ridx
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: Sniper]
#2936871
06/26/21 08:30 AM
06/26/21 08:30 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,774 St. Louis, Missouri area
Cometstorm
"Beat It"
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"Beat It"
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,774
St. Louis, Missouri area
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[quote=Dartforforty]Couple cubes of yeast every 2 to 3 months to inhibit bacteria growth. .Helps break down the solids Someone using yeast to "inhibit bacteria growth" has no idea how a septic system works. Beat me to it!
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: 340Cuda]
#2936944
06/26/21 11:44 AM
06/26/21 11:44 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 712 Southern Alberta
Uberpube
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 712
Southern Alberta
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I've seen the magic additives make a huge mess in septic pipes and systems. One place where they switched to enzyme treatment over having tanks sucked out with a vac truck ended up with systems full of a cheese like solid masses that plugged everything off. They ended up bringing in vac trucks with a pressure truck to try and clean it all out, it took days. You're best to just to spend your money on regular cleanings and stick with one vac truck company that records the amount sucked out. I've had two houses with septic systems, the first house the previous owner was having the tank cleaned out every year by a different contractor every time. I used the same company every year to keep the same frequency as the previous owner, on the third year, the company told me they weren't getting enough out of the tank to really justify cleaning it every year, and that the tank was grossly oversized for the house and usage, and suggested that I only have it cleaned every 3 years. Kudos to them for being honest and saving me the 300.00 charge every year. They said the tank would function better on a bacterial level having some accumulation in it to keep the temperature up in it. On my second house with a tank, the tank hadn't been cleaned in 10 years by the paperwork we were given with the house, I had it sucked out and the solids were just about over the wall in the tank. That's how septic fields get plugged, this one is still gravity draining and doesn't look like it needs a pump added yet, so I dodged a bullet there.
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: Uberpube]
#2936958
06/26/21 12:10 PM
06/26/21 12:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,444 Omaha Ne
TJP
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,444
Omaha Ne
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I have had a septic system since 1994. At the time, the research I read by gov. agency's recommended pumping the tanks every 3 years or so depending on usage. IE: large family maybe every 1-2 years. Smaller family maybe every 5 or so years. I've also hear of using a long stick / handle to measure the amount of solids in the tank although I've never done that. I've also read that pumping to frequently can be as bad as not pumping at all. The articles all said that additives were basically "snake oil" We limit the disposal usage and NO GREASE EVER
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: TJP]
#2936983
06/26/21 01:30 PM
06/26/21 01:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 712 New Jersey
Dartforforty
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 712
New Jersey
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From the Farmers Almanac
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/maintain-your-septic-system-naturally-20795#:
Septic System Care and Maintenance Tips: A family of 4 living in a home with a 1,000 gallon tank should have their septic system cleaned every 4 years. Ask your local septic cleaning company how often you should give them a call. Do not use products containing bleach to clean your toilets, as it destroys the bacteria needed to break down waste solids in your septic system. Try this natural toilet cleaner. Yeast helps actively breaks down waste solids when added to your septic system. Flush ½ cup of dry baking yeast down the toilet, the first time. Add ¼ cup of instant yeast every 4 months, after the initial addition. If you’re installing a new septic system or need to have yours pumped, it’s a good idea to know exactly where it’s located in your yard to avoid excessive digging up of your lawn during future pumping. Measure the exact distance of the septic tank lid from the house with a tape measure and take a picture with your cell phone, showing the exact measurement. Keep the photograph in a home maintenance file on your computer for future reference.
Last edited by Dartforforty; 06/26/21 01:30 PM.
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: GibW340]
#2939188
07/02/21 10:47 PM
07/02/21 10:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35 Livonia,MI
1968fury
member
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member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 35
Livonia,MI
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My uncle owns a septic company installs and maintains them. He says rid x is a junk don't use it. No bleach,grease etc. Biggest problem he finds is people using anti bacterial soap. If you are going to add anything add yeast. Don't be cheap and get them sucked out.
71 scamp 340 509 cam 456 gear,68 fury1 318 3spd on the tree,50 merc flathead 3x2 3spd w/overdrive
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Re: Septic tank additives, what brands are good?
[Re: 1968fury]
#2939295
07/03/21 11:55 AM
07/03/21 11:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio
basketcase
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833
east side of Ohio
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when I had my tanl cleaned out, they told me to use RidX monthly, and stay away from using Charman, it's the hardest tissue to break down.
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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