water change question

mrtian97 · Dec 13, 2015

Newbie here, is it ok to dump the saltwater from my DT to my regular house drain, will it cause corrosion problem for my home plumbing?

Thanks

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 13, 2015

It will be fine, but it wouldn't hurt to rinse it down with some fresh water if you have metal drain pipes (mine are, but newer ones will be PVC).

mrtian97 · Dec 13, 2015

Thanks Randy, I think mine is PVC, just thought check first as my wife won't be so kind if I ruin my house plumbing bc of the saltwater

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 13, 2015

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

LiveWire · Dec 14, 2015

Its fine in the city water sewer not so fine in a septic system.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 15, 2015

LiveWire said:
Its fine in the city water sewer not so fine in a septic system.

Do you know of someone who had a problem with their septic system from salt water?

ReeferBob · Dec 15, 2015

I dump mine in my septic all the time (Where else am I supposed to put it?). I never had any issues. It is lower salinity than urine btw (obviously higher quantities though).

LiveWire · Dec 15, 2015

I did read that water change water dumped into a septic system can have a negative effect on the bacteria that live in a septic system as the salinity builds up over time killing beneficial bacteria. I believe that Mr saltwater tank covered this as well as he was dumping his in his lawn. I would think it would be more of a concern with a larger aquarium then say a nano.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 15, 2015

LiveWire said:
I did read that water change water dumped into a septic system can have a negative effect on the bacteria that live in a septic system as the salinity builds up over time killing beneficial bacteria. I believe that Mr saltwater tank covered this as well as hewas dumping his in his lawn.

Salinity won't rise over time in the septic system itself as the salts will leach out along with the water. What happens to the salts once out in the underground water zone, I couldn't say.

I just wonder how much of the "negative effect on bacteria" is simple speculation, and whether anyone has actually had a problem. I've been reading forums for a long time and I don't recall seeing a specific incident which could be attributed to tank water in a septic system (but to be fair, I might not remember it).

Certainly, dumping salt water on the lawn is not well thought out.

ReeferBob · Dec 15, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Salinity won't rise over time in the septic system itself as the salts will leach out along with the water. What happens to the salts once out in the underground water zone, I couldn't say.

I just wonder how much of the "negative effect on bacteria" is simple speculation, and whether anyone has actually had a problem. I've been reading forums for a long time and I don't recall seeing a specific incident which could be attributed to tank water in a septic system (but to be fair, I might not remember it).

Certainly, dumping salt water on the lawn is not well thought out.

I've been dumping saltwater for over 5 years down my septic and have yet to notice any difference at all in my drain field area. I pump my system out every 2 years or so though. Overkill I know, but I have 5 bathrooms.

LiveWire · Dec 15, 2015

To this day I still remember him saying that salt water wont hurt your lawn if you spread it around over a large space

Honestly I cant say that I have heard where someone has had an issue with a septic after dumping saltwater into it for years. It would be nice to find out if indeed it is something can effect the bacteria living in there or if it is all just a myth...