>>25791 I think the best way to add bacteria in the system is to install an aerator, like a big bubble stone in a fish tank, this will both stir the sediment in the tank a little and introduce extra oxygen. Too much stirring is very bad though as sediment getting in to the soak-away will soon clog it up. I may add a aerator at some point but I need to be sure the sediment won't be a problem. This often requires a filter to be added that has to be clean once a month :/
I've heard of people adding worms in to the soak-away, but if it isn't in the aerobic layer the worms will soon either die or leave so I don't see that working too well.

Well explained. Glad to see you can sit on the throne once again and stop bothering the neighbors for a quick-shit.
Is it possible to induce a bacteria into the soak-away thru the toilet in the house?

>>25768 Thanks vis, I'm just happy it's nearing completion :)

>>25778 This is a soak-away for the water from the main tank so no need for emptying. The water is 'dirty' but as the soak-away is in the aerobic layer of the soil the natural bacteria on the soil will clean it all up. Most soak-aways are deeper down in the anaerobic layer and there are no bacteria to clean it, which is bad.

>>25778 Connection not made yet, but will be a 25mm MDPE pipe, the other end of which is connected to a pump in the a small silt sump on the exit of the septic tank. It has to be pumped because the soak-away is installed in a higher piece of land.

I didn't see and entry line from the house. Is the tank just rocks and the top crate system? No lateral lines into the yard? First time I've seen a system like this.

And to think you could have made a swimming pool. Nicely done, btw :)

So how long does it take before the truck comes to empty it out? Or you have one of those fancy recycling-shit-to-semi-clean-water devices?

looks great so far..

... and covered over with membrane.

... with plastic soak-away crates ...

... with gravel and membrane ...

The 'ole

those things were always in the town on Saturdays, it's a (dying) tradition. Most are hybrids: they can be operated manually but most of the time a generator does the work

>>25668 Definitely need one :) There is a steam fair about 40 miles from me that has one or two of these :)

>>25668 I was looking for the back-hoe or bucket on that calliope but fail to see one. J.C. could have had music during the hole-digging ceremony.
Speaking of calliopes, there's a place in Galveston, TX. (an ice cream parlor) that has a few of these things inside. They are still set up to accept quarters and nickels and the music is wonderful. There's little motors inside that run a bellows system to make compressed air. Some of the older ones, like this shown, had a hand pump for the air. I hope you've had a chance to see and hear one in operation.

>>25667 neither did I, goodgrief. I'll bet the inventor thought of this contraption ;D

Sometimes you want to pull your hair out during days like these. You sure Grim's digger wouldn't have done the job? I've never seen one of those.

For comparison to today's excavator here is yesterdays one in full, and my tractor and trailer for shifting the soil :)

Just paid the guy. He charged me 2/3rds of 1 days hire, even though I had the excavator for 2 days. I guess I can't complain too much even though the discount won't pay to fix the patio :/

>>25660 Cute digger, but not big enough for my needs :)

sweet digger! Next time you/they should place some steel plates..

Or build your own excavator! :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LylTB8-_BNY

Just been out to survey the damage from having to have a heavier excavator. The 1 ton excavator only broke 1 patio slab, the 1.5 ton excavator has broken an additional 13 :(
I've got to phone the guy to pay for it in a couple of hours. Be interesting to see what he tries to charge me after all these screw ups.

Today's excavator...

Thankfully finished digging now, but not before the rain hit :( Very muddy and soggy, but thankfully done :)
I'll wait for the weather to improve before I get on with the installation.

>>25653 Thanks GG. I'm well used to septic systems. The new soakaway is in new higher ground due to the high water table here. Thankfully the tank itself is in good condition and working well, as are all pipes connecting it.
I'll try to reduce my shits to one a month :)

A little general info for a septic system, J.C. and you might already know this but here goes anyway...always use Scott paper or something that's equal. It totally breaks down in water whereas all those foo-foo creamed good-smelling ones don't. They'll clog the lateral lines quicker than you can blink. Be religious with the enzyme additive that makes good bacteria. If you're only replacing the storage tank and not the lines after 40 years...replace the lines also. Best to dig new trenches and not use ground that's already clogged. Read the internet for good advise. Shit less often.

>>25648 that stinks. :(

>>25647 We have a winner! The old soak away for the septic tank has given up after 40 years so I'm having to dig a new one.

septic issues?

making a pool? Digging for treasure? Digging for a tank?

>>25642 lol!

Just had a guy turn up unexpected in the dark, 7.30pm, with a replacement digger. It's a little bigger at 1.5t compared to 1t, but at least it has a cab because it going to rain tomorrow :)

>>25642 It's not for bodies this time, unless I liquidise them and pour them down the sink :D

If you're going to bury a stiff, you should not show the evidence on a web site. The bobbies will put the collar on your punkin' head.

That there track dun split and won't stay on no more :/
*It was already damaged when it was delivered this morning, but got worse through the day. They're going to get a new track, hopefully tomorrow, and then I can finish my hole.