On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:50:58 +0000 (UTC) someone who may be
"howardsend" wrote this:-

The inlet pipe is quite low down the tank side - or whatever it is

That's good, but not ideal. The inlet should be a dip pipe, so that
the scum is not disturbed by inflow. Like the Persil adverts, dirt
is good. To prevent large flows passing straight through the tank
there should be a deep baffle (or a tank in two sections as below).

It is a bloody large tank! Much biger than I envisaged but it two chambers
apparently.

The outlet should also be a dip pipe, for the same reason. The
outlet pipe should only just be lower than the inlet, to ensure flow
through the tank is as slow as possible.

That is not the end of it. The liquid flowing out of the tank is not
pleasant. It should then be exposed to bacteria that like oxygen, in
a filter bed. An alternative is a land drain (if there is enough
land available).

I am unsure whether I need to get it pumped - maybe I should anyway in case
in neds re starting for decomposing since I have been stamping about (
metaphorically) in there.

A septic-tank does not need the liquid to be pumped out. However, it
does need the sludge removing occasionally. If it has backed up
then, assuming the problem is not a tree root or the like, the
problem is likely to be clogged land drains.

Excessive amounts of disinfectants and salt are not good for the
bacteria in a septic tank, but will not cause it to back up.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54