Fertilisers Effect On Septic Tank

[shrimply]

Hi, wasn't too sure where to put this but will start here, move as appropriate mods.

edit - managed to post in completely the wrong place anyway, was supposed to be in General discussion, sorry.

Basically for years I've emptied my two tanks ( 30 and 60 gallon) via a hose and into a pipe in the garden which leads into the septic tank. While this probably isn't ideal its never been a big worry. ( all rain water off the roof also runs into the septic tank )

But now the 60 gallon is going to be a high tech planted tank there are going to lots of fertiliser in the water and I'm concerned over the effect that this will have on the septic tank.

Eventually I plan to convince the parents that the best solution is to get a water butt to store the tank water and to recycle the fertile water in the garden as needed.

But I need to keep the process as simple as possible so my parents can keep up the maintenance while I'm not here so it would be good if the water could safely be run into the septic tank.

Any thoughts/experience?

 

[shrimply]

Oh well, didn't really think this would end up here, not usre its the best section for it but nevermind.

Any thoughts planted tank gurus.

 

[aaronnorth]

the only problem i could see if it leads off into local waterways and eutrophication occurs, not that i believe nutrients cause algae but in an open waterway it is totally different.

 

[dthoffsett]

Oh well, didn't really think this would end up here, not usre its the best section for it but nevermind.

I moved it here shrimply as I thought the folks who use fertilizers for their plants would more likely be able to answer your question. If you think it is better suited elsewhere, let me know and I'll be happy to move it. -Dawn

 

[shrimply]

No, I'm totally grateful for you from moving it from the stupid place I posted it in the first place, I had thought perhaps the scientific section depends how much you want to go it to it I guess. I just wanted some thoughts from people more intelligent than myself.

Aaron not too worried about what one fish tank work of nutrients will do to local waterways, most of the nutrients should be consumed by the field, if they get that far.


Now my understanding (wrong as it my be) is that the whole thing depends on bacteria, in the right numbers to break down the waste which is then run down through the field in pipes so the rest is removed.

My concern is what effect fertilisers will have on the bacteria colonies, if for instance there was one was able to utilise on phosphates and thrive on them then that could upset the balance and if it did drastically effect the bacteria populations what effect that would have on the whole process.

Perhaps all the nutrients I will be adding to my tank are all ready added in such large numbers that it will have no effect at all but I just don't know.

 

[dthoffsett]

We can certainly give the scientifc section a try and see if they can help, didn't even think of that one, you'll have to forgive me I'm new. (finally got to use that excuse).

 

[aaronnorth]

anthing from your tank will either aid bacteria growth as a whole... nitrogen cycle... or will be denitryfied creating more nitrogen, but that is what the nitrogen cycle is all about. recycling products.

other elements such as PO4 & potassium dont affect bacteria that significantly, if at all.