Adding bacteria to the septic tank

Posted by Dioclese on April 10, 2009, 7:11 pm

How does one know if its suitable and appropriate to use additive type
bacteria to the septic tank via the drain system from the house?

I "started" the septic bacteria with 2 large cans of yeast per
recommendation by the septic tank/leach field system installer. The septic
tank is a 3 stage/ 1500 gallon unit pumping into an above ground leach
field, which is almost level with the septic tank as all is progressively
downhill incline from the house, septic tank, leach field. Other than
water, and human waste, little toilet paper, some minor food waste is the
only other waste product involved. I am the only person involved with the
human waste component, only resident of the home. So far, the house and
waste system is 4 years old. No apparent or potential problems.

I only see the fear component in selling this additive bacteria, no hard
facts to designate if appropriate for use. How does one make that
determination?

--
Dave

Posted by Rick Samuel on April 11, 2009, 2:58 am

"Dioclese" <NONE> wrote in message
> How does one know if its suitable and appropriate to use additive type
> bacteria to the septic tank via the drain system from the house?
> I "started" the septic bacteria with 2 large cans of yeast per
> recommendation by the septic tank/leach field system installer. The
> septic tank is a 3 stage/ 1500 gallon unit pumping into an above ground
> leach field, which is almost level with the septic tank as all is
> progressively downhill incline from the house, septic tank, leach field.
> Other than water, and human waste, little toilet paper, some minor food
> waste is the only other waste product involved. I am the only person
> involved with the human waste component, only resident of the home. So
> far, the house and waste system is 4 years old. No apparent or potential
> problems.
> I only see the fear component in selling this additive bacteria, no hard
> facts to designate if appropriate for use. How does one make that
> determination?
> --
> Dave

You being the only one using a 1500 gal. system, it will be hard to
overload it, unless... :) My second thought, you're starving the yeast. I
might add a tablespoon once a month.

Posted by Dioclese on April 11, 2009, 4:15 pm

> "Dioclese" <NONE> wrote in message

>> How does one know if its suitable and appropriate to use additive type
>> bacteria to the septic tank via the drain system from the house?
>> I "started" the septic bacteria with 2 large cans of yeast per
>> recommendation by the septic tank/leach field system installer. The
>> septic tank is a 3 stage/ 1500 gallon unit pumping into an above ground
>> leach field, which is almost level with the septic tank as all is
>> progressively downhill incline from the house, septic tank, leach field.
>> Other than water, and human waste, little toilet paper, some minor food
>> waste is the only other waste product involved. I am the only person
>> involved with the human waste component, only resident of the home. So
>> far, the house and waste system is 4 years old. No apparent or potential
>> problems.
>> I only see the fear component in selling this additive bacteria, no hard
>> facts to designate if appropriate for use. How does one make that
>> determination?
>> --
>> Dave

> You being the only one using a 1500 gal. system, it will be hard to
> overload it, unless... :) My second thought, you're starving the yeast. I
> might add a tablespoon once a month.

Septic is 3 stage/500 gallons per stage. Liquid tank, solids tank, the last
is sort of a reservoir. When the 3rd stage is sufficiently full, it pumps
to the leach field. The 1st and 2nd tanks are the working part of it, so
its really equivalent to a 1000 gallon conventional unit.

I even rinse out all cans I open over the sink. Food waste is distributed
between my 2 dogs, the sink, and the side of the yard adjacent to the
kitchen (vegetable waste only here). I do most of my own cooking from
scratch.

The leach field didn't seem to be responding to feed from the septic the 1st
year at all. Since then, it looks like a golf putting green in late spring
and most of summer.

My higher concern is water usage adequacy to support the 3rd stage tank's
operation. Don't want that pump running dry, even for a few seconds. Every
2 weeks I take a bath vs. showering, wash clothes, wash dishes, and flush
the commode a few extra times all within a few hours. Normally, its just
shower water and maybe 3 times commode use in a given day, with a can or two
rinsing in the kitchen sink, and hand washing some dishes.

I ran across one table somewhere on the internet regarding septic tank
flushing. Given the size of my septic, size of my home, and amount of
occupants, it said every 9 years.
--
Dave

Posted by willshak on April 11, 2009, 1:33 pm

on 4/10/2009 7:11 PM (ET) Dioclese wrote the following:

> How does one know if its suitable and appropriate to use additive type
> bacteria to the septic tank via the drain system from the house?
> I "started" the septic bacteria with 2 large cans of yeast per
> recommendation by the septic tank/leach field system installer. The septic
> tank is a 3 stage/ 1500 gallon unit pumping into an above ground leach
> field, which is almost level with the septic tank as all is progressively
> downhill incline from the house, septic tank, leach field. Other than
> water, and human waste, little toilet paper, some minor food waste is the
> only other waste product involved. I am the only person involved with the
> human waste component, only resident of the home. So far, the house and
> waste system is 4 years old. No apparent or potential problems.
> I only see the fear component in selling this additive bacteria, no hard
> facts to designate if appropriate for use. How does one make that
> determination?
>

Using additives to a septic tank is a waste of money. Google it (ignore
septic cleaning company recommendations).

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Posted by Dioclese on April 11, 2009, 3:48 pm

> on 4/10/2009 7:11 PM (ET) Dioclese wrote the following:

> Using additives to a septic tank is a waste of money. Google it (ignore
> septic cleaning company recommendations).
> --
> Bill
> In Hamptonburgh, NY
> In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
> To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Just as I thought, fear tactics with no real basis on fact. Thanks.
--
Dave

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