Is Rid-X really necessary for a septic tank?

[Dennis S]

I've seen lots of posts on the internet that say you don't really need it.

[OWC Jamie]

No.
As long as you keep eating, digesting, and pooping into it and not bleaching out beneficial bacterias you shouldn't have to add anything.


Save the Rid-X money and use it to get the sediments pumped out of the tank every now and then. Recommendations run anywhere from once a year to once every 5 years.

[cbelt3]

It can help, but as noted, it's not critical as long as you use the potty. and have the honey wagon come get the sediment every few years or so. However, NEVER flush antibiotics of any kind.

[Ombligo]

I toss some in once a year just because there are any multitude of things that can upset the bacteria balance. Like others have said - antibiotics is the biggee, but just because you don't flush pills doesn't mean they are there. If your taking them while sick and vomit into your toilet - you may have just dumped a bunch into your septic. Wash the counters with anti-bacterial soap.. there's some more. Another issue is cooking oil - it can create a film in the septic.

I've lived with my septic for 25 years - pumped out once, about 5 years ago. Even then the guy said it wasn't needed. I must be something right.

[space-time]

so when you get a NEW septic tank, how do you know it has the right bacteria balance?

[Dennis S]

space-time wrote:
so when you get a NEW septic tank, how do you know it has the right bacteria balance?

Maybe they come with a starter turd.

[Rick-o]

Dennis S wrote:
[quote=space-time]
so when you get a NEW septic tank, how do you know it has the right bacteria balance?

Maybe they come with a starter turd.
Years ago a coworker was building a new house and was discussing his new septic tank. He said someone told him to throw in a dead cat or maybe some roadkill to get things started.

[GuyGene]

Put some baking soda in often. A plumber once told me if people did that, it'd hurt his bidness.

[Todd's keyboard]

How do summer cottages with a septic tank work? Does several months of lack use cause problems?

thanks, Todd's dormant-but-curious keyboard

[OWC Jamie]

The anaerobic decomposition should restart it self as soon as you start using it again, even if it was abandoned long enough to completely stop.

Invite beer drinking buddies over for the opening up weekend. :-)