Today, many gardeners are choosing a septic tank for their summer cottages, and more and more agree that it's practical, convenient, and offers high levels of sanitary compliance, benefiting the entire property. Only by taking individual circumstances into account can one determine which septic tank is best for each specific situation.
On the purpose of a septic tank for a summer house
A septic tank is a storage and treatment facility for collecting and treating wastewater. It should be noted, however, that the simplest, least expensive models only have a storage function, which isn't always better. More expensive units don't even require additional pumping because they break down not only harmful impurities but also solid waste. This treatment results in clean water that can be safely used for gardening.
Judging by reviews and expert recommendations on which septic tank to choose, less complex, less expensive models for home use require additional emptying. For this purpose, home sewage disposal services are called in to clean the units (although these services are still required far less frequently than for a cesspool).
Classification of types of modern structures
To understand which septic tank to choose for your cottage or home, you'll need to first familiarize yourself with the different types of these structures. These are classified by modification based on their operating principle. Find out which one is best for you. peat toilet for a summer house.
Autonomous models powered by electricity
These models require additional energy to operate, which is more of a disadvantage than an advantage for a summer house. They decompose waste through the activity of aerobic bacteria. Recalling your high school biology course, these bacteria are called aerobic because they require sufficient oxygen to function.
Such cultures can be purchased at specialized stores, but reviews indicate that to maintain the beneficial microflora's continued viability, it is essential to provide a sufficient supply of additional air. For this purpose, the septic tank is equipped with additional compressors.
All wastewater from such stations, with strong biological treatment, is divided into:
- A sediment that doesn't dissolve. It will be removed during regular tank cleaning, ensuring your home and property remain sanitary.
- Purified water, which can then be used for irrigation.
- Biological gases that exit the tank on their own through ventilation pipes.
This type of septic tank has its own advantages, which people always appreciate. It offers a high level of rapid groundwater treatment, as well as a high degree of purification (up to 98%). It's also easy to maintain and requires no additional pumping.
However, there are some drawbacks. The design itself is quite complex, and the high cost of treating groundwater is a drawback. Furthermore, even after purchasing this septic tank, you'll still have to pay for the electricity required for operation.
Anaerobic structures
If you're considering groundwater pumping options, you should also consider septic tanks with this design. They also perform purification using microflora. However, these are bacteria that don't require oxygen to function.
There are some significant advantages to these designs. First of all, the modification has advantages: it's just as effective, but simpler for groundwater. It requires no energy to operate. Disadvantages include a lower degree of purification, and the purification cycle itself will be lengthy, even though pumping is not required. Take a look. yeast feeding recipes.
Types of anaerobic septic tanks for summer cottages and their features
Accumulative structures
These are small structures suitable for treating small amounts of groundwater. If the property is small, this septic tank option is ideal. This system operates similarly to a traditional cesspool. A sewage truck is required for removal. However, it has its advantages: the bottom and walls prevent waste from entering the soil.
In addition to the device's low cost and simplicity, a significant advantage is the lack of ongoing additional operating costs. As for its drawbacks, many reviews note that there is no proper cleaning process. There is a high risk of an unpleasant odor in the area where this device is located. Regular pumping by a specialist is required after groundwater treatment (additional costs).
Mechanical models
Very often, after reading all the reviews, people choose a mechanical septic tank. The huge advantage is that you only need readily available materials or a single visit to the hardware store to build one yourself. Groundwater is purified using sedimentation and filtration.
Additionally, the system's efficiency can be increased by installing multiple tanks connected in series. Moreover, the more of these elements in the system, the cleaner the resulting water will be.
Please note! Homemade designs aren't limited to the options highlighted in this article. Some modifications are effective because they utilize several operating principles simultaneously.
DIY designs are certainly cheaper. On the other hand, it's important to understand that store-bought models have their advantages. They're fully assembled and ready for efficient use.
Which model to choose?
If you're planning to buy a ready-made product, you need to understand which septic tank to choose for your dacha to ensure the most effective wastewater treatment on your property. If the model is inexpensive and there are no online reviews, it's best to decline the offer. In this situation, there's a high risk that by purchasing such a septic tank for your dacha, you'll waste money and end up with a host of additional problems.
Famous brands and their characteristics:
- "Tank" is a self-contained, energy-efficient septic tank for your dacha. It provides excellent water purification at a low cost. The purified water is suitable for soil drainage.
- Topas. An advantage of this groundwater treatment model is that it eliminates the need for specialized biological preparations. The tank requires less frequent cleaning (additional cleaning is required) than other models with similar features and price. The purification efficiency is high, and the water is suitable for use in soil or open ditching.
- Many gardeners call the Triton the perfect combination of price and quality. The Triton Mini model is especially convenient: it's inexpensive, quick to install, and perfect for small drains.
- The Unilos pumping model is similar to the Topas, although there are some design differences. Specifically, this model is considered superior in technical specifications, is made of more durable plastic, and has a reliable compressor. This type of septic tank does not require pumping, but it is energy-dependent. Therefore, solid sediment will need to be removed at least once a year.
- The "Tver" is an effective model, but requires precision during installation and assembly. Reviews indicate that it offers a high level of safety. The main specifications detail where pumping is required.
Advice! Very often, if a buyer complains that a ready-made septic tank for a summer house is not working well, the cause is errors made during installation of the model after purchase. How to fix DIY compost pit at the dacha.
Do it yourself
To purify groundwater and pump out waste, you can build a septic tank yourself. The construction process is fairly simple, and if you understand the basics up front, you'll be up and running quickly. It's important to choose a structure made from materials that meet all the requirements for the specific structure.
Made of brick
Building a septic tank for a summer cottage using brick walls will ensure durability and strength. However, when installing such a structure, proper waterproofing must be considered. You don't necessarily need to buy new bricks; you can use leftovers from major construction projects.
Advice! When choosing this material, it is more convenient and quicker to make a rectangular septic tank rather than a round one.
Concrete ring
The structure is as strong as brick, but excellent internal and external waterproofing must be considered. Installing the rings takes less time than building brick walls. However, stacking the concrete rings on top of each other requires specialized lifting equipment.
Plastic cubes
A good material for setting up a wastewater pumping and treatment system. Its advantages include light weight, easy installation, and water resistance. These septic tanks are suitable for summer cottages with high groundwater levels that require additional securing of the tanks with clamps.
Tires
If the volume of clean water is small, tire structures can be used to build a septic tank. These structures are stacked on top of each other and are suitable for seasonal use, but if the ground freezes in winter, the structure will be compressed.
Not all store-bought septic tanks are of high quality. If you want to understand which septic tank is best for your home or garden, be sure to do your due diligence. It's often better to build your own for a specific home, saving money and ensuring quality.
To understand which septic tank is best for your home, you need to define the key selection criteria. Building codes and regulations (SNiP) will help answer the question "which one" because even homemade structures must comply with them. This applies to the construction of any house or structure on a summer cottage.
To determine which septic tank is best for a private home, consider the soil type. A country house located on sandy, loose soil suggests a simple septic tank that purifies water using filtration fields. For clay soils, biological or biochemical treatment is more suitable. Good waterproofing is essential if groundwater is close.
Advice! If you can't decide which option is best, a biofilter is always the best choice. It's useful for gardeners to know which The most fertile zodiac signs are.