Re: Problems with Aerating a standard septic tank

Reported Aeration Problems
This is not a new problem. Here are more discussions about aerator problems:
The standard septic tank may not be suitable to use an aerator. I was able to find these reported problems that confirmed the problems I had discovered.

1) “Aerobic (that need oxygen) bacteria work much faster than anaerobic. As a retrofit a small plastic chamber is often added to the septic tank near the infeed end. The waste enters this chamber and air is pumped in and bubbled through the waste. The plastic chamber has baffles or holes so the waste can leave but it basically creates a small aerobic chamber separated from the main tank. There is some controversy about the use of a separate chamber but most seem to think it is better than just plopping a bubbler into the septic tank. The chamber prevents currents and stirring from happening which can disturb the muck layer on the bottom of the tank. Just dropping in a bubbler will aerate the tank and encourage aerobic bacteria but just like in an aquarium it stirs things up which could cause solids and unprocessed waste to pass out of the tank.”
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/forum/wells-sump-pumps-septic-sewage-systems/4467...

This is exactly what is happening in my tank !

2) “Too much churning, or bubbles are not beneficial. Its small slow bubbles that is beneficial in septics, IMO, as more oxygen is produced in the tank. A violent burst that only disturbs the top layer, and statistics show do not help.This is why I went with the smaller bubbler and pump.” Read more:
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/wells-sump-pumps-septic-sewage-systems/4467...


3) Video demonstrating sludge being recirculated by the Quad Aerator.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1tiEUWWhyaQ


4) “Gravity fed septic tank and gravity fed drain field are not designed or recommended for aftermarket aeration systems. Converting gravity fed septic system with an aftermarket aeration system can cause more harm than you are currently experiencing with your gravity fed system. Converting a conventional gravity fed septic system to an aeration system pump can stir up solid waste found in the solid side of the tank forcing undigested sludge into the drain field, making a preexisting bio-mat problem worse further damaging your drain field.”
http://www.bio-septic.net/drain-field-restoration/">http://www.bio-septic.net/drain-field-restoration/">http://www.bio-septic.net/drain-field-restoration/
(This is exactly what happened in my tank.)

5) “There are several companies marketing an air pump and diffuser system that will convert the septic tank into an aerobic tank in order to repair the drainfield. These systems typically include an air pump or blower that compresses air and disperses it into the septic tank via a diffuser. The diffuser spreads the air out into the water to provide a good transfer of oxygen and to mix the air into the water. These systems usually include piping to connect the diffuser to the air pump, and possibly a case or cover for the air pump to protect it from the weather.

...they have one large drawback. These systems must aerate the septic tank continuously so that the contents of the tank are mixed and oxygen is transferred completely throughout the tank. These processes are called complete mix aeration systems. The problem with these type of systems is that the mixed contents of the tank (we engineers call this the “mixed liquor”) is full of solids and bacterial biomass. In a normal wastewater treatment plant, this mixed liquor is allowed to settle in a separate tank so the biomass and solids sink to the bottom and the clear water is taken off the top. These septic aeration systems don't have a settling process. When water from the house enters the tank, it displaces an equal volume of the mixed liquor out of the tank and to the drainfield. So the drainfield is receiving aerated water, but the water is full of solids and biomass that will again eventually plug the soil pores in the drainfield.” http://www.saberseptic.com/


I think I may have found a solution to these problems. Complete details & photos here:
http://tinyurl.com/Septic-Solutions Tweet