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slammer
Member
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# Posted: 28 May 2009 05:05pm
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How can I utilize a 55 gal drum as a septic system, any ideas?
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 28 May 2009 05:39pm - Edited by: CabinBuilder
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Ideally, a multi- (at least two) -stage septic system is desirable, where fluids stay and flow from one septic tank into another for further decomposition, and eventually drained into the underground dispersal filed.
This small septic system link may be useful.
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Vince P
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# Posted: 28 May 2009 10:13pm - Edited by: Vince P
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Never saw that link before. Here is a pic of mine before I completed it. The liquids go to a self contained evaporation bed, while the solids go to the rotating black 30 gal barrel under the cabin that is capped with the black pipe to the right for venting and partially filled with sawdust/peatmoss to speed composition. This is the same principle used in Sun-Mar and other brand composting toilets. The best part is that we get to use a flushing gravity toilet meant for RV's. So far it works beautifully for a family of five!
Composter before finished
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Bathroom almost comlete
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Concreteplants
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2010 10:42pm
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Can you post additional details, drawing and phots of your composting toilet system.
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Anonymous
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2010 08:08am
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How does one separate the liquids from the solids?
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mlhall
Member
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# Posted: 7 Sep 2010 04:57pm
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Vince P,
I'd really like some more detail on your setup if you have time. My uncle and I are both building small cabins on our property at the time and are looking for similar setups. You descriptions sounds Ideal for our setups.
thanks in advance,
Matt H
http://www.mlhalloutdoors.com
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straightalk
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# Posted: 1 Dec 2012 11:52am
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Many counties even in the west make info on foundations and septic really hard to get an answer for. hauling water they assume no one can build a trailer for 1000 gallons at a haul in NM but at least the price now is good. Too bad both parties make it so hard for poor folks to own and pay taxes on homesites instead of more wealthy collecting 3 times the cost in rent.
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hitanktank
Member
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# Posted: 1 Dec 2012 01:43pm
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agreed would like to see more pics of Vince P.'s setup
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firemandivi
Member
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# Posted: 3 Dec 2012 02:33pm
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For the person asking about solids, they go into the septic tank which should have baffles on the inlet and outlet so you don't short circuit the tank and have solids going to the field. The reason you don't want solids going to the field is it will clog the holes in the pipes acting as your leach field and could also clog at the bends in the pipe, among other things. Septic tanks are suppose to be pumped out ever 2-3 years but some people never do and never have any problems.
There are countless options for your septic but it really all depends on if the ground can take the water and at what rate (percolation rate). The faster the perc the less field you need.
For a small cabin only temporary lived in I like the one link that was posted but I would make sure the tanks had baffles, up in the Adirondacks we hear about hunters cabins where the septics are nothing more then a 55 gal drum with bird shot. I wouldn't recommend that though.
Also I'm not a fan of putting metal underground and then putting water in it, wouldn't expect it to last long.
If you want to be legal its always best to check with your local building department. Just my $0.02 cents as I've been designing septic systems for a little over a decade here in NY.
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