Septic System and Salt Water

[ihavecrabs]

So I am moving into a new home and it happens to be on septic. Since the fish room and tank will both reside in the basement, any water changes will drain into the ejector pit and into the septic tank and field.

Any other reefers on septic and any special precautions you have had to take? Does the salt water interrupt the bacteria doing it's job on breaking down household waste or is the water diluted enough not to matter?

I'll be running 300-400 gallon system.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlueCursor]

Hmmm. Bacteria are incredible things. There is always a strain that can and will live in any given set of water parameters. Remember, you have bacteria in your tank that breaks down waste. Your septic bacteria strains probably won't care about your SW flush, but if they do, other strains will love it.

 

[mfinn]

I've been living in the same house with a septic tank for 27 years and flushing saltwater down the drain.
For many years it was about 100-150 gallons every 2 weeks.
Everything is working just fine.
I do have to say that I have been using a python water change hose for most of that time which does dilute the amount of saltwater going down the drain.

 

[Tokash23]

Is this ejector pit like a sump in a basement? If thats what you are talking about i would recommend pumping that stuff outside in the woods or something, however if its not an option than it wont hurt your septic but the extra water going in it every week could put extra stress on your drain field potentially leading to problems down the road.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Is this ejector pit like a sump in a basement? If thats what you are talking about i would recommend pumping that stuff outside in the woods or something, however if its not an option than it wont hurt your septic but the extra water going in it every week could put extra stress on your drain field potentially leading to problems down the road.

Yes, I have a sump and ejector pit. Sump is rain and ground water (Keeping it out of the basement and shooting it away from the house). The ejector pit is hooked into the home sewage and septic system. It is designed for the washing machine and basement bathroom to get the water up to the level that the septic system requires it. Also for homes that have bathrooms and laundry below the city sewer grade to get the water up to the sewer system.

 

[Tokash23]

I see what your sayin. Only thing like i was saying to take into consideration is all the extra fluid you will be putting in your septic system will put extra stress on your drain field and possibly shorten its lifespan vs having it pumped outside on the ground. Or you could get lucky like mfinn and not have any issues with it at all kind of depends on how new the septic system is and how well it has been kept up with. best of luck regardless 3-400 gallons is quite the aquarium.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I see what your sayin. Only thing like i was saying to take into consideration is all the extra fluid you will be putting in your septic system will put extra stress on your drain field and possibly shorten its lifespan vs having it pumped outside on the ground. Or you could get lucky like mfinn and not have any issues with it at all kind of depends on how new the septic system is and how well it has been kept up with. best of luck regardless 3-400 gallons is quite the aquarium.

I've been living in the same house with a septic tank for 27 years and flushing saltwater down the drain.
For many years it was about 100-150 gallons every 2 weeks.
Everything is working just fine.
I do have to say that I have been using a python water change hose for most of that time which does dilute the amount of saltwater going down the drain.

Hmmm. Bacteria are incredible things. There is always a strain that can and will live in any given set of water parameters. Remember, you have bacteria in your tank that breaks down waste. Your septic bacteria strains probably won't care about your SW flush, but if they do, other strains will love it.

So.. The septic technician that pumped my system had his ear talked off while he was here.. Poor guy, but I'm grateful as I have learned a lot being a first time septic system owner.

Biggest reason of home owner induced early septic tank failure (not the drainage field...) is running the Water Softener into the home plumbing (and into the septic tank). This is due to the fact that salt water corrodes the insides of these tanks and causes earlier failure. Now depending on how many gallons per week a Saltwater tank keeper is putting down there vs other liquids, it may have a negligible effect as compared to the softener; however, I will be routing by water into the sump!

Figured I'd get these details out to the community and anyone else that searches this in the future.

 

[JoshH]

I would do the same. Replacing a septic system is something you want to avoid for as long as possible. Have an eye on the sump pump for corrosion though as they are not designed for salt water environment's.

 

[Greybeard]

I'm on a septic system as well... and I try hard not to dump large volumes of saltwater into my drains. Why? I don't really know that it does any immediate damage, but over time, there's no way it doesn't do _some_ damage to the system. I have a whole house softner/filter system as well, and it's saline drain line does not flow into my septic system either. I have a french drain intended to redirect rainwater away from one end of the house. I dump saltwater into it. It's the easiest way to get rid of it, and has the added benefit of keeping the gravel over the drain free of vegetation.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I'm on a septic system as well... and I try hard not to dump large volumes of saltwater into my drains. Why? I don't really know that it does any immediate damage, but over time, there's no way it doesn't do _some_ damage to the system. I have a whole house softner/filter system as well, and it's saline drain line does not flow into my septic system either. I have a french drain intended to redirect rainwater away from one end of the house. I dump saltwater into it. It's the easiest way to get rid of it, and has the added benefit of keeping the gravel over the drain free of vegetation.

That is how my rain water is handled via the sump pit. I'll have a backup sump with alarm and primary sump pump so if the first goes out I'll be ok.

Thanks for the feedback..

 

[mfinn]

Like I said before, I have been dumping saltwater into my septic system for 27 years and I have encountered zero problems.
And when the company that pumps my septic tank comes out, I do talk with him and he said that there is no apparent damage to the tank, or any of the components.
So everybody has a opinion and will do what they think is best for their own house and property.
But I will continue doing exactly what I have been doing and which also is the most convenient for me.

 

[tripdad]

This is a misleading question, sort of. Older septic systems are nothing more than a concrete vessel that is hooked to a drainage field. Super simple. Newer systems are active, with multiple tanks and transfer pumps and aeration pumps, etc.. I have an older style system but still don't put it in my drains because I have had to replace my ejector pump and let me tell you, skimmate can't hold a candle to what's in that pit! I will not risk damaging my ejector pump or pit. Just my opinion.

 

[ihavecrabs]

This is a misleading question, sort of. Older septic systems are nothing more than a concrete vessel that is hooked to a drainage field. Super simple. Newer systems are active, with multiple tanks and transfer pumps and aeration pumps, etc.. I have an older style system but still don't put it in my drains because I have had to replace my ejector pump and let me tell you, skimmate can't hold a candle to what's in that pit! I will not risk damaging my ejector pump or pit. Just my opinion.

Agreed. The technician mentioned that the salt can corrode the concrete and compromise the tanks. I'd rather not risk it and the possible expense so I'm in the same boat as you.