Septic Tank Cleaning

The_Hornet

I live in a rural property with septic tank drainage. For the past 10 years it's been next to no trouble and I get it emptied every couple of years or so. On the odd occasion it's become blocked but either I or the septic tank emptying guy have cleared it fairly easily.

By coincident today I have had a reminder from the emptying company that I'm due for another visit and in the post I've received a flyer from company called "Muck Munchers" advertising a product which is claimed to "reactivate your septic tank" with natural enzymes and healthy micro-organisms.

I realise a functioning septic tank uses bacteria to break down the "muck". The claim for this product is that it reduces frequency of call outs and improves the break down of greasy scum and other problems.

Has anyone had experience of this product? I'm normally very sceptical of "wonder" products but at £30 a year if it works it could save me money. I suppose £30 isn't a lot to lose if it's all bunkum but I wanted to check with you moneysavers before I decide what to do.

arbrighton

I would just leave well alone. I have no intention of doing anything with ours other than get it pumped and if there is a blockage, get it cleared.

It's worked without anything added for over 100 years.... And how will said enzymes not also digest the bacteria? There are enzymes in bio washing powder, which is why you're not meant to use it with a septic tank

peter_the_piper

Never heard of it but interested on the replies. I doubt it will help me with a cess pit.

sheramber

Up here the crofters through a dead sheep in the septic tank.

Others throw road kill in the tank.

I_have_spoken

Just tip a few pots of Yakult probiotic into it. Listen to your [STRIKE]gut[/STRIKE]septic tank

suki1964

Always been told to throw road kill in to keep the tank balanced and working, and to go easy on the bleach in the loos

forgotmyname

Probably a capful of the stuff they put in the camping/ caravan toilets.

I wouldnt bother, if its working then carry on as you were.

Davesnave

The_Hornet wrote: »

By coincident today I have had a reminder from the emptying company that I'm due for another visit and in the post I've received a flyer from company called "Muck Munchers" advertising a product which is claimed to "reactivate your septic tank" with natural enzymes and healthy micro-organisms.....

Has anyone had experience of this product? I'm normally very sceptical of "wonder" products .

I doubt if it is any kind of coincidence. Flyers will surely only go to those who have tanks, whose names and addresses will most likely be supplied by your emptying contractor.....for a fee.

I can't say whether it would work or not, but it strikes me as something very hard to prove ineffective, due to the potential variability of conditions in any given septic tank. Can you prove that one of your guests hasn't poured a bottle of bleach into the toilet? etc etc.

A working septic tank should already be saving you money on sewerage charges.

I_have_spoken

I have new aquarium and add 'starter' bacteria to break down fish waste and decomposing food fragments. Maybe tip a bottle of that in?

nonnatus

According to the website, it works like this: (There are nice pictures to illustrate it all which I can't seem to import...)


Bad - Inactive, Slow-Working Nightmare Septic Tanks

The Scum Layer - Thick, often crusty build-ups of light organic materials, fats oils and greases, that just get thicker


The Effluent Layer – Low bacterial
activity leads to minimal waste digestion with raw sewage entering drainage field.

The Sludge Layer – Heavier, undigested organic solids simply sink, building up an increasing volume of undigested sludge.

Good - Inside Your Healthy, Active Septic Tank Solution

The Scum Layer - Organic material floats to the surface where bacteria should be actively converting it to liquid.


The Effluent Layer – Low bacterial activity and low digestion leads to minimal waste digestion with raw sewage entering drainage field.

The Sludge Layer – Minimal quantities of inorganic by-products following bacterial digestion sink to the bottom.

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Muck-Munchers Naturally Restoring and Maintaining, Clog–Free,
Odourless Drainage Systems.

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Your Introduction to Septic Tank Systems
Household drainage systems have to rely on 2 vital components -
Muck Muncher The Septic Tank or Bio-Filter into which your household drains, from toilets, basins, sinks, baths, dishwashers and washing machines dispose of their waste.
Muck Muncher A Drain-Field or Leech Field which allows purified or partly purified waste water to safely filter away into the surrounding soil.



A Septic Tank System


Septic Tank
Here, solids, fats and grease and water separate into layers. Bacteria digests the organic waste leaving a few indigestible solids.
Household Drains:
Waste water flows through a series of drains to your Septic Tank

Drain Drain Field
Cleaned fluids overflow into the Drain-Field to slowly soak away.

What Can Go Wrong?
The natural digestion process can easily be disrupted, because bacteria and natural enzymes are easily destroyed by detergents, antibiotics, bleach, paints and other chemical substances.

This inactivity leads to tank stagnation and dangerous build-ups of grease and sludge.

Resulting blockages cause foul water to over-flow from the tank and together with smells.

Surrounding land may water-log too. Most septic tank owneres have little choice but to empty their tank at £120 to £200 a time - then wait for the next time.

Symptoms...

Muck Muncher Blocked Drains, Backing Up
Muck Muncher Effluent seeping out
Muck Muncher Foul water overflowing
Muck Muncher Bad smells

Outcomes...

Muck Munchers Programme - £30 a Year
Significantly REDUCING Chances of Much More Expensive...
Muck Muncher Repeated Tank Clean Outs
Muck Muncher Drain Field Repair or Cleaning
Muck Muncher Drain Field Replacement

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Naturally Restoring and Maintaining, Clog–Free,
Odourless Drainage Systems.
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The Muck Munchers 'All Year Round' Programme
Muck Muncher
Day 1 - Mix and Flush Muck Munchers EXCLUSIVE Kick-Start Bio-Booster
Because we want you to be assured of success and use a product that we can unconditionally guarantee success, except in severe cases when you may need to consider a Muck Munchers Deep Clean.
How to - All you do on Day 1.
- Just mix the contents of the Kick-Start Bio-Booster pack in 3-5 litres of lukewarm water (30° - 35° C = warm to touch but not hot).
- Allow to stand for 3 - 4 hours.
- Flush contents down toilet.

Muck Muncher Day 2 - Flush Down Your First Muck Munchers XL Solu-Pack
Your tank is now primed, all you need to do is get into the habit of flushing a soluble sachet of Muck Munchers down the toilet or sink.
How to - All you do on Day 2.
- Add 1 Muck Munchers XL Solu-Pack Sachet to the toilet bowl.
- Leave to stand for a minimum of 10 minutes to dissolve Solu-Pack, then flush away.
- Although not mandatory, avoiding further flushing for 1 hour will help improve drain cleansing process, prior to material reaching septic tank.

Note - Occasionally, easpecially in cold conditions, a residue may settle in the bottom of the bowl. If so simply agitate with a toilet brush.
Muck Muncher Month 2 to 12
Now, once every month use a Muck Munchers Solu-Pack and flush it down a toilet or sink just as you did on day 2.

TIP - If you flush the monthly treatment down a different drain each month, this will help keep drain-pipes in cleaner, better flowing condition.
REMINDER - When buying Muck munchers XL Programme online, we'll send you a short monthly reminder to add your next monthly treatment - you can cancel this reminder at any time.
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lostinrates

Sachets of stuff were ( maybe still are) very popular in France when I was younger.


I see the potential value in systems that get irregular use, but a system that remains in use and is used well for the system ( with respect to cleaning products, water flow etc) should be fine.

The popular dead chicken and variants also is unnecessary. IME.

If it works fine, great, leave well enough alone, if it doesn't address how you use it first: cheaper and most effective I guess. If it has more serious issues ( no pun intended) think more seriously about addressing them, because the pollutant risk is not non existent and who wants dead animal across their land from soaKaway any more than they want their own effluent?