The best bacteria to add to a septic tank is anaerobic bacteria, which doesn't use oxygen to break down solid waste. Because there is less oxygen in a septic tank, anaerobic bacteria can decompose sludge in a sealed environment.
Do You Need to Add Bacteria to Your Septic Tank? Most people don't need to add any additional bacteria or septic tank treatments to their septic systems. By limiting the number of chemicals and harmful products, your septic tank should have the right amount of bacteria to properly function.
Natural Methods to Boost Your Septic Tank's Bacteria
Ordinary baker's or brewer's yeast provides a gentle, effective bacteria booster. Simply flush a 1/4 ounce yeast packet down your toilet once monthly. The microorganisms will inoculate your tank and multiply rapidly without upsetting system chemistry.
Your septic tank naturally contains good bacteria, and you won't really need to do much to put good bacteria in the septic tank. You can use additives like active yeast, rotten tomatoes, or store-bought septic enzymes or chemicals if you'd like, but typically, the system will produce beneficial bacteria on its own.
The simple act of using the system promotes the growth of bacteria needed to make the system work. The amount of bacteria or enzyme in an additive dose remains small compared to the bacteria already in a tank and therefore provides little, if any, benefit in wastewater breakdown.
The best bacteria to add to a septic tank is anaerobic bacteria, which doesn't use oxygen to break down solid waste. Because there is less oxygen in a septic tank, anaerobic bacteria can decompose sludge in a sealed environment.
Adding RID-X® to the septic system each month is a simple septic maintenance solution that will help prolong the life of your septic system.
Enzymes go to work on the scum, and bacteria goes to work on the sludge. The microbes eat the waste and convert large portions of it into liquids and gases. This process allows the septic tank to push the now-treated wastewater out to the drainfield.
Adding a septic system bacteria additive once a month restores the good worker bacteria and enzymes to counteract the effects of household disinfectants. Waste & Grease Eco-Friendly Digestant makes it easy to maintain a clean and sanitized home environment as well as a healthy bacteria population in your septic tank.
Do not put cigarette butts, paper towels, sanitary tampons, condoms, disposable diapers, anything plastic or similar non-biodegradables into a septic tank system. Avoid washing food scraps, coffee grinds, and other food items down the drain. Avoid using a garburator to dispose of kitchen wastes.
Like everything in life, you need moderation. Bacteria is good in your septic system, but too much can lead to more serious issues. Your septic system relies on a balance of the two types of bacteria, and having too much of one kind can overpower the other and make things not work properly.
As an added benefit for your septic system, the finely grained Epsom salt will promote vegetation growth over your drain field, which helps prevent it from becoming water laden during heavy rains.
Manually adding nitrifying bacteria to the tank water or directly onto filter media (ceramic rings inside canister filters or sponges within any aquarium filter) will create good bacteria levels and speed up the setup process allowing the addition of a few fish much sooner than the traditional process.
While it's common to think larger bacterial colonies will take up more oxygen from the water, this isn't a situation to be concerned with because the ecosystem will self-regulate.
Add ¼ to ½ cup of active dry yeast to your toilet bowl and flush it down your toilet. The yeast will need to sit in your pipes to work best so try to avoid things like running your dishwasher or taking a shower to wash the yeast down too quickly. Yeast helps keep the bacteria and enzymes happy in septic systems.
Septic bacteria starters give the microbe community in your tank a boost to get munching and to ensure that your system is ready to start breaking down waste within a matter of days after adding. All septic tanks need bacteria to break down organic solids.
In general, a septic tank should be inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped every 3 to 5 years.
A biological stimulant based additive is the fastest way to increase the bacteria in your septic. A biological stimulant based additive like EcoCare Activator contains the minerals, nutrients and amino acids which will allow beneficial septic bacteria to rapidly repopulate.
Biological additives. Biological septic tank additives include yeasts, natural bacteria, and enzymes. They are meant to improve the bacterial flora in septic tanks and drain fields, control biomass, and reactivate dormant septic systems.
Septic systems rely on bacteria inside the tank that works to break down toilet paper and solid waste. As the solids get broken down, they are transformed into sludge that settles at the very bottom of the tank.
Tree roots are a septic system's worst nightmare. They surround the system for its water and damage the leach field and tank. Large roots have been known to crack septic tanks and make mincemeat out of drain fields. Plant trees away from the septic system to avoid root encroachment and damage.
Much research has shown that they do not make a positive difference: A good deal of research that has been conducted has shown that adding bacteria to a septic system has no positive overall effect.
Biodegradable toilet paper is a great option for your septic tank. Biodegradable toilet papers require less water to break down, which will allow them to dissolve faster in your septic tank. When it dissolves quickly, it turns into smaller particles that won't bunch together and harm your system.
Using a septic tank pumping frequency chart , you can get a good idea of how often you should have your septic tank pumped out. For instance, if your home has a 1000-gallon septic tank that's used by a family of five, the pumping frequency chart recommends having your tank cleaned out every two years.