Saltwater Tank and Septic System

[Myka]

How big is your aquarium? I don't know much about septic systems, but I think you would need a fair amount of salt in the system before it would affect the concrete. Does your system get pumped out or does it go into a septic field? Is it a plastic septic tank or concrete? I would probably talk to a septic guru.

The bacteria definitely doesn't matter - bacteria adapt easily from salt to fresh to salt.

[spit.fire]

Originally Posted by Myka

How big is your aquarium? I don't know much about septic systems, but I think you would need a fair amount of salt in the system before it would affect the concrete.

this too

[The Codfather]

Steve,
the problem that you might encounter if that you have a lot of bacteria in the septic system. when you flush a large volume of water, be it fresh or salty, it could potentially affect the amount of bacteria in the system. We recommend that even regeneration from water softeners be discharged elsewhere and not through the septic system. Now if there is a small amount, in other words a small tank, with small wc's it may be fine, but i do not know the size of your septic system nor the size of your tank.

[Skimmin]

Codfather is right. I've seen it first hand ruin a septic field.

[Steve...]

Originally Posted by Skimmin

Codfather is right. I've seen it first hand ruin a septic field.

Is this directly from a salt water tank? How so and what had to be done?

[Skimmin]

As I understand the bacteria in the tank gets wiped out by the salt and the salt then gets pumped out to the field and plugs/saturates the field. A great company to talk to in Calgary is Alaqua. They design and build septic systems and fields. They are professionals. Give them a call and im sure they can answer all your questions.

[Steve...]

Originally Posted by Skimmin

As I understand the bacteria in the tank gets wiped out by the salt and the salt then gets pumped out to the field and plugs/saturates the field. A great company to talk to in Calgary is Alaqua. They design and build septic systems and fields. They are professionals. Give them a call and im sure they can answer all your questions.

Thats great, Ill give them a shout

[Steve...]

Originally Posted by The Codfather

Steve,
the problem that you might encounter if that you have a lot of bacteria in the septic system. when you flush a large volume of water, be it fresh or salty, it could potentially affect the amount of bacteria in the system. We recommend that even regeneration from water softeners be discharged elsewhere and not through the septic system. Now if there is a small amount, in other words a small tank, with small wc's it may be fine, but i do not know the size of your septic system nor the size of your tank.

Perhaps pumping the water into the ground maybe or somewhere else? Its on a acreage so there will be plenty of room .

[Steve...]

Originally Posted by Myka

How big is your aquarium? I don't know much about septic systems, but I think you would need a fair amount of salt in the system before it would affect the concrete. Does your system get pumped out or does it go into a septic field? Is it a plastic septic tank or concrete? I would probably talk to a septic guru.

The bacteria definitely doesn't matter - bacteria adapt easily from salt to fresh to salt.

The tank will be 12' long x 3 ' deep and 28" tall plus sump. Im guessing the total water volume would come in close to a 1000 gals. So the wc will be prob 100 to 200 gals monthly. Im not sure what kind of tank it is yet as its a new build.

[The Codfather]

Originally Posted by Steve...

The tank will be 12' long x 3 ' deep and 28" tall plus sump. Im guessing the total water volume would come in close to a 1000 gals. So the wc will be prob 100 to 200 gals monthly. Im not sure what kind of tank it is yet as its a new build.

Ya Steve, I can save you the call. You definitely will not want to dump that amount into your system, it will do a considerable amount of damage to both the septic(bacteria)and the field(final disposal).