The septic tank is the simplest part of an onsite system, but its importance can’t be understated: High-quality primary treatment preserves the life of the soil treatment unit. Here is a look at some of the latest products manufacturers offer to improve the primary treatment function. They include the tanks themselves, and a range of accessories that perform functions from filtering effluent, to making tanks accessible for maintenance, to hiding aboveground components from view.
Concealment device
The Dirty Bird concealment device for residential AIRVAC 4-inch vents has a pedestal that includes a matching birdbath basin that threads into the pedestal top. The unit fits over the vent pipe 22 inches above ground. The device has a stainless steel screen installed to accommodate the flow requirements for the AIRVAC system. 866/968-9668; www.thedirtybird.com.
Roto-molded lids
Roto-molded 12-, 18- and 24-inch septic tank lids from RotoSolutions are made of lightweight and durable polymers for easy handling and transport. They come complete with hardware kits that include stainless steel components. The lids are sold in boxes of six. They can be used with or without the sand-filled or foamed option and come in green or black. 800/868-0973; www.rotosolutions.com.
Multipurpose lid
Tuf-Tite Corporation offers a 24-inch heavy-duty multipurpose flat lid that fits most commercially available risers. It has a molded-in, permanent polyurethane gasket and can be insulated to R-10. The center is designed to hold 70 pounds of concrete for added safety. 847/550-1011; www.tuf-tite.com.
Lids blend in
Photographic Landscape Lids from Orenco Systems Inc. feature a set of images of three common landscaping elements — grass, bark mulch and river rock — so they blend into the background. Lids fit most brands of ribbed PVC pipe and come in 18-, 24- and 30-inch diameters. They are injection-molded of fiberglass and withstand a 2,500-pound wheel load. Polyurethane gaskets ensure a watertight seal. Stainless steel hex-drive screws help deter unauthorized entry. Tamper-proof bolts also are available. 800/348-9843; www.orenco.com.
Fiberglass tanks
Flowtite fiberglass septic tanks from Containment Solutions Inc. serve both aerobic and anaerobic applications, providing a cost-effective, long-term solution for homes, commercial developments, industrial and municipal installations. The tanks eliminate leakage and are engineered to meet and exceed current requirements and standards. IAPMO-approved tanks are available in sizes up to 12 feet in diameter and include fiberglass baffles and other accessories. 877/274-8265; www.containment solutions.com.
Tank sealing ring
The Seal-R Ring and the Seal-R Lid from BrenLin Company Inc., help reduce septic tank installation labor expense and simplify tank access later. The Seal-R Ring is a lightweight, polyurethane-sealing ring. Installation creates a watertight seal between the tank top and riser maintenance pipe. The ring and riser pipe can be installed in minutes using a polyurethane foam sealant. The ring forms a barrier to groundwater.
The green Seal-R Lid is a cover for plastic dual-wall riser pipe. It is sturdy and lightweight and installs quickly using 4-inch stainless steel lag screws (included with the cover) in pre-formed holes. The device has a gasket to prevent groundwater entry. The lid allows rapid access for servicing. 888/606-1998; www.seal-r.com.
Bypass protection
The WW1 effluent filter from Clarus Environmental includes a screen that remains in the outlet tee while the filter cartridge is removed for servicing. This bypass protection keeps solids in the tank and out of the drainfield. The filter’s pleated design provides 132 linear feet of 1/16-inch filtration and encourages top-down filtration that extends service intervals. A twist-lock mechanism keeps the filter from floating out of the tee, and a locking tab keeps the bypass sleeve in place during servicing. A rubber gasket ensures that all effluent passes through the filter. 877/244-9340; www.clarusenvironmental.com.
Filter controls odor
The Wolverine vent filter (Model WLV-4) is a septic vent odor-control filter designed to eliminate septic and sewer gas odors in residential, light industrial or commercial applications. The housing has a cross-flow design. 866/667-8465; www.stopsepticodor.com.
Tank guide corners
Sim/Tech Filter offers Sure-Set septic tank guide corners. The devices help ensure watertight sealing of mid-seam and sectional tanks and tank tops by guiding the tank section or top into place. This accurately lines up the seam and helps keep sections from prematurely touching and affecting the placement of the butyl ribbon.
The devices are easy to use. After placing the bottom of a mid-seam tank, the user applies a small amount of butyl on a Sure-Set unit and pushes one into place on at least two corners of the tank seam. The butyl holds them in place while the user wraps a 2- or 3-inch strap around the tank and Sure-Sets to hold them securely.
While lowering the top half of the tank, the wider top end of the Sure-Sets, combined with the elasticity of the straps, receives and steadies the top. The top is then funneled into place by the Sure-Sets. Once the top half of the tank is in place the Sure-Sets can be removed and reused. 888/999-3290; www.simtechfilter.com.
Wastewater screens
SaniTEE wastewater screens from Bio-Microbics Inc., keeps solids in the septic tank, provides natural flow attenuation, and are easy to maintain. The line includes 4-, 8- and 16-inch-diameter screen sizes. The screens promote natural settling and keep gas-lifted particles from entering the outlet pipe. The devices have a self-cleaning exterior/internal cleaning swab, non-blinding angled slots with vertical orientation for deflection, and keyhole weirs above the solids exclusion ring, all to help prevent clogging. 800/753-3278; www.biomicrobics.com.
Low-profile tanks
Aquifer low-profile cistern tanks from Ace Roto-Mold, a division of Den Hartog Industries Inc.,include 1,000-, 1,500-, 2,000- and 2,500-gallon units designed for below and aboveground applications. Made for the storage of potable and non-potable water, the tanks feature a sectional ribbing design to withstand vertical soil pressures of up to 400 psf. Tanks can be buried up to 28 inches deep and backfilled empty. Multiple fitting locations are provided to accommodate a variety of plumbing configurations. The tanks are made from FDA-compliant resins and high-density polyethylene with UV inhibitors. 800/342-3408; www.denhartogindustries.com.
Odor-control covers
Odor-eliminating tank covers from Polylok help prevent odor problems by removing offensive odors as they leave the tank. The covers contain two pounds of activated carbon pellets. The 18-inch cover fits corrugated pipe, the 20-inch cover fits on Polylok 20-inch risers, and the 24-inch cover fits on any 24-inch corrugated pipe or Polylok 24-inch risers. The covers are easy to install and control odor in all septic system applications. 888/765-9565; www.polylok.com.
Combination offerings
Dual-compartment septic and third-compartment pump tank packages from Crest Precast Inc., include an effluent filter installed on the outlet. Systems include a manhole installed to grade for service, chain and padlock over both manholes, and a center wall sealed between the septic and pump chambers. The tank concrete has a minimum 5,500 psi rating and a water cement ratios below .40 for increased durability and tanks have passed DOC vacuum testing requirements. 800/658-9045; www.crestprecastconcrete.com.
Concrete tanks
Precast concrete septic tanks from Wieser Concrete are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations to meet residential, commercial and other applications. Tanks are manufactured in a controlled environment for consistent quality and structure, are structurally engineered, and use post tensioning for strength and durability. They are vacuum-tested and watertight. Quality assurance technicians monitor and inspect all tanks throughout the manufacturing process. 800/325-8456; www.wieserconcrete.com.
Variable heights
The Good Looking Septic Vent from Pagoda Vent Company is made of aluminum and finished in exterior powder-coat paint. The unit, which comes with or without odor-control filters, is available in different heights. 888/864-1468; www.pagoda vent.com.
Retrofit covers
Septic tank covers from Hedstrom Plastics are designed for cost-effective installation of tank riser systems. Round polyethylene covers and square-to-round adapter plates are available for field installation of ground-level opening access to septic tanks and drainage junction boxes. Molded by rotational molding in thick-walled polyethylene with UV inhibitors, the covers fit industry-standard 18- and 24-inch double-wall corrugated poly-pipe. The black polyethylene adapter plates provide a seal between the septic tank sewer opening and the round double-wall polypipe. 800/765-9665; www. hedstromplastics.com.
Triple wall
TW-Series septic tanks from Infiltrator Systems Inc. have a triple-wall design manufactured with rotomolding technology. The tanks also have permanent, factory-installed structural bulkheads and reinforced access ports that do not distort upon backfilling. No special installation, backfill or water-filling procedures are required.
The unit can be pumped dry during pump-outs — there is no need to refill with water. The tanks resist flotation in high water table conditions and can be installed with 6 to 48 inches of cover. Units are available with single or dual compartments. 860/577-7030; www.infiltratorsystems.com.
