Overview of the cedar septic tank: device, principle of operation, advantages and disadvantages

Nikolay Fedorenko
Checked by a specialist: Nikolay Fedorenko
Author: Lyubamira Lysyuk
Last update: April 2019

Residents of country houses, accustomed to the comfort of urban life, today can also afford to have at hand all the benefits of civilization. Modern treatment plants allow you to organize an effective sewage system in your area.

Among similar equipment, we can distinguish the cedar septic tank, in which the affordable price successfully combines with decent performance. But is he good and worth buying? We will analyze these issues in detail in our article, considering the septic tank device, its principle of operation, the main pros and cons.

Also in this material we will describe the features of installation and connection, provide recommendations for operation and periodic maintenance.

The device of the treatment plant Cedar

Septic Cedar refers to non-volatile devices working in tandem with soil post-treatment systems.

The installation provides primary clarification of wastewater, which is then subjected to additional processing when passing through filter wells or filter fields, from where they go to the underlying layers of soil.

The need to equip additional filtration systems does not allow the use of a sump in soils with a high occurrence of groundwater.

Soils characterized by good permeability are considered the most favorable for the installation of Cedar septic tanks: sands of all degrees of density and size, gravel and crushed stone deposits with sandy aggregates.

Installations of this type are superior in their class to storage tanks in which sewage is accumulated and stored until pumping out with a cesspool machine.

But at the same time, they are not able to provide such a degree of purification as septic tanks with deep bio-treatment, after which the filtered water becomes safe for the environment and can flow directly into the ground, into gutters or open water bodies.

Principle of operation
Sewer drains passing through a septic tank are not completely cleaned of biological and mineral impurities and need additional filtration, which is carried out in the filtration field or in the absorption well

Septic tank is a completely sealed tank made of polypropylene. Inside the installation there are four cameras isolated from each other. The chambers are arranged in such a way that the water, having passed the next stage of purification, can freely enter the next compartment, where it undergoes a higher degree of purification.

The inside of the septic tank consists of:

  • receiving camera a volume of 1,500 liters, in which separation occurs into liquid effluents, solid insoluble sediment and fat;
  • anaerobic cleaning chambers a volume of 1,500 liters, in which liquid effluents are fermented and clarified by anaerobes;
  • deep aerobic cleaning chambers 750 liters in volume, where organic inclusions are processed by active microflora;
  • clarifier camerasin which the final clarification is performed.

If necessary, in the artificial stimulation of drainage in the fourth compartment, pumping equipment can be installed.

Septic Cedar has a compact size, it is made in the form of an oval (1.4 m in diameter), vertically located structure, three meters high. The weight of the device is 150 kg.

The standard head of a septic tank is 1/3 of the structure. If necessary, the manufacturer can manufacture a plant with a higher, or vice versa, low head.

Device septic tank Cedar
The drawing shows a standard treatment plant, which is able to process 1000 liters of sewage per day

On the plastic case of the septic tank there are polypropylene pipes with a diameter of 11 cm, designed to connect PVC inlet and outlet PVC pipes. The pipe for connecting the inlet sewer is located at a distance of 1.2 m. From the upper boundary of the tank, and the outlet pipe is at a distance of 1.4 m from the top.

The septic tank is supplied in different configurations. In addition to the sewage treatment plant, you can order a complete set of equipment for arranging the sewer system: PVC pipes of the required diameter for conducting external sewage, geo-fabric, bulk materials for the installation of filtration fillings, etc.

The principle of the treatment plant

The first camera acts as a receiving compartment. It flock to PVC pipes all dirty sewage coming from the house.

All solid fractions settle to the bottom of the section and accumulate there in the form of sediment, and light fat molecules float and form a greasy film on the surface. Partial wastewater flows into the second compartment through a small vertical hole 10 cm wide.

Septic tank installation
When arranging a treatment system, pipes are laid with a slight slope towards the treatment plant, and from it towards the soil treatment system. This installation provides a continuous flow of water into the tank from the house sewage system.

In the second section, only the primary treatment of sewage is carried out. In this compartment, anaerobic bacterialiving in an airless space, which in the process of their life partially clarify the incoming wastewater.

To activate the aerobic cleaning process, special biological devices with microorganisms are added to the third chamber. After clarification, water through special 10-mm slotted partitions located at a distance of 80 cm from the bottom of the chamber enters the third compartment.

The internal device of a septic tank
The four chambers of the septic tank are completely autonomous and operate independently of each other, the fluid flowing from one edema to another is subjected to a higher level of purification

In the third chamber there is a removable biological filter, which is a plastic collector of a trellised design with filter loading. The grill ensures that only purified water enters the filter, retaining the remaining particles of activated sludge formed as a result of aerobic activity.

Using a special filler from microorganisms, the water undergoes deep biological treatment and is completely purified, rushes to the next compartment.

The filtering process ends in the fourth chamber, where the water is completely clarified and sent to the filtering well, filtration field or trench. Purified water moves by gravity. If the filter system is located at a higher level, and water cannot get there naturally, the discharge level can be increased by equipping the compartment with any drain pump with a float.

Advantages and disadvantages of a septic tank

The septic tank is suitable for installation both in seasonal dachas and in suburban areas where the owners live permanently.

It does not need frequent cleaning, for its effective operation it is enough to once every two years remove the accumulated sediment with the help of a sewage machine. The treatment plant can provide a comfortable stay for a family of five.

Septic Cedar
Septic Cedar - the optimal treatment system for suburban cottages and garden plots. The installation of the tank is quite possible to do independently, without resorting to the services of specialists

The installation is quite widespread in Russia, where it has been used for more than four years. It is perfectly adapted to the climatic conditions of our country. The septic tank is a budget class device, however, in terms of its consumer characteristics, it can well compete with equipment of a higher price category.

Among the advantages of the model are the following:

  • the equipment provides a sufficiently high level of filtration, since water goes through several stages of purification, and the process itself can be activated by adding special biological products;
  • compact vertical design does not require much space;
  • the treatment plant can be located at a small distance from the house;
  • the septic tank has a small weight, which allows you to independently carry out the installation of the tank without involving special equipment;
  • the case of durable plastic is not susceptible to corrosion and reliably protects the structure from moisture, dirt and other external influences, so that the septic tank can be fully used for thirty years or more;
  • all processes in a completely sealed design take place inside the installation, without emitting any impurities and unpleasant odors into the external environment, which indicates the environmental safety of the station;
  • the treatment system is non-volatile and does not require additional energy costs;
  • a septic tank is buried deep in the ground, so that the tank does not need additional insulation;
  • equipment does not require complicated maintenance;
  • the cost of the treatment system does not exceed 60 thousand rubles, which is significantly lower than plants with similar characteristics.

However, the cedar septic tank, in addition to its advantages, also has some disadvantages that must be considered when buying a device.

The water that has been treated in the installation is not so clean as to immediately enter the soil or merge into open sources; its degree of purification is about 75%.

Filter field
The filtration field is designed for the purification of water coming from the septic tank. Its organization requires a large space. If there is no excess area on the site, it is better to install an absorption well, which takes up much less space

Therefore, it requires additional cleaning in other filtration systems, which involves the installation of platforms for filtration. And this is the free space that needs to be found on the site, and the extra costs for arranging an absorption well or filtration fields.

In addition, the septic tank requires periodic cleaning with the help of a cesspool equipment, which also involves additional costs.

Biological products to improve cleaning efficiency

The manufacturer of the septic tank Cedar, the Unilos company, has specially developed a series of Unibak biological products that allow you to activate and accelerate the biomass purification process. The composition of the preparations includes only natural ingredients that are completely decomposed and do not cause any harm to the environment.

The use of the drug allows several times to improve the quality and effectiveness of the treatment of sewage. It is available in the form of microgranules with a size of less than 0.1 mm, having a liquid consistency, which are in a special preservative solution.

Biological products for septic tanks
Unibak biological products can increase the rate of decomposition of feces and make the process of treating water effluents much more efficient

The pellet shell is made of a polysaccharide of natural origin, inside which are microorganisms. When they enter a favorable environment, their vital activity is activated, they begin to multiply rapidly, forming large colonies.

Bacteria work at temperatures from +3 to +50 ° С; microorganisms show the most active vital activity at temperatures from +18 to +30 ° С.

Over time, bacteria die, so the drug must be added to the septic tank regularly. The frequency and dose of introducing a new portion of microorganisms are selected individually, it depends on the degree of contamination of sewage.

It should also be borne in mind that the presence in the wastewater of chemicals and detergents containing chlorine and acid reduces the activity of bacteria.In this case, it is recommended to introduce the biological product more often, as well as increase its amount.

Features of installation and connection

Specialists can be invited to install the equipment, but their services are not cheap. Therefore, those who are not ready for excess spending can do this work on their own. Due to the small size and low weight of the structure, a septic tank can be installed on its own.

What to consider when choosing a place?

Before installing, you need to choose the best place to place it. There are certain standards that must be adhered to.

Rules for installing a septic tank
The figure clearly shows at what minimum distance from the house, water source and trees a treatment system can be installed. Recommended standards must be considered when choosing a location for the station.

Improper installation of the tank can lead to very adverse consequences. If the distance from the septic tank to the water source is less than permitted, dirty wastewater can penetrate the intake system, which will cause contamination of drinking water.

Installation of equipment closer than five meters to the house can cause flooding of the foundation.

It should also be noted that this septic tank requires the arrangement of a filter field or an absorption well, which will also require additional space. It is also necessary to provide free access to the installation of a cesspool machine.

Stages of installation work

At the selected location, a contour is outlined, along which then a foundation pit of the desired size is dug. When digging a hole in depth, you need to take into account the height of the tank, the height of the sand and gravel cushion and the concrete layer. In total, it is necessary to add 25-35 cm. The width of the pit is approximately 20 cm larger than the diameter of the tank.

Septic tank installation
The septic tank has relatively small dimensions in terms of, therefore, a pit for it does not need huge sizes

At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to fill the sand and gravel with a layer of 15-20 cm, compact them well, and then make a concrete base 10-15 cm high. You can use a concrete slab for this or simply pour it with concrete.

When installing the tank, it must be set strictly according to the level, it should be level and without distortions. Anchor rings are used to secure the device, with the help of which the container is attached to concrete.

Next, the septic tank is filled with sand to the level of the inlet pipe. Carrying out this operation, the tank is simultaneously filled with water to the height of the backfill. This is done in order to avoid deformation of the walls of the installation. After connecting the sewer pipes to the pipes and sealing joints, the foundation pit is completely filled to ground level.

Wiring diagram for Cedar
The wiring diagram demonstrates how to properly install the equipment. The drawing shows the main elements of the system, and shows the optimal dimensions of the pit and base for the tank

Recommendations for operation and maintenance

Septic Cedar is a treatment system that requires minimal maintenance, provided that the operating rules recommended by the manufacturer are observed. Inside the station, sewage is cleaned naturally with microorganisms. The user's task is to periodically introduce a new portion of bacteria to maintain the productive operation of the device.

It is not recommended to dump a large amount of chemicals and household chemicals into the sewer that negatively affect the vital activity of microorganisms. It is advisable to ensure that the temperature inside the structure does not fall below +5 degrees and does not rise above +50 degrees.

It is necessary to periodically, but at least once a year, clean the biofilter, which is located in the third compartment of the installation. You need to get it and rinse it well. If such a need arises, the filter can be replaced.

In the reception department over time, solid waste accumulates, which must be pumped out using a cesspool machine. The manufacturer recommends performing this operation no more than once every two years.

However, the frequency of treatment can be increased, or vice versa, reduced depending on the number of people living in the house, and the activity of using the treatment plant.

If you don’t want to call a wastewater machine for pumping waste and equipping the filtration fields on the site, then pay attention to the bio-treatment station of the same manufacturer - septic tank Unilos Astra.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video on how to choose a septic tank for a country house:

From the following video you can find out how wastewater is treated in a septic tank:

Septic Cedar is an affordable and reliable treatment plant that allows you to organize an effective sewage treatment system in your suburban area.

Adhering to the manufacturer's recommendations for the operation of the installation and performing simple maintenance, you can forget about the problems with sewage for many years.

Thinking about buying a cedar septic tank and want to clarify some points? Feel free to ask your questions in the comments to the article, and our experts and other site visitors will try to help you.

Or maybe you are one of the users of such a septic tank? Leave your opinion about the installation, indicate the pros and cons identified during the operation, write recommendations - your experience will be extremely useful to many homeowners.

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Visitors Comments
  1. We are in the country and set such a septic tank. When they thought which installation to do, they didn’t want to pollute the environment, now this is more than enough. It does not freeze, is safe, inexpensive and is not demanding in maintenance. For 4 people we have enough of its performance. But if you have a high level of groundwater, then this kind of septic tank will not work, you need to look for something else.

  2. Cedar is a good septic tank for local treatment facilities, ideal for a country cottage or a summer cottage. It is quite lightweight and easy to install, installation with connection can be done independently. A septic tank is made of tight sealed plastic (polypropylene). The manufacturer claims that he will last thirty years. But we must not forget to serve it - remove solid precipitation and wash the biofilter.

  3. Anton

    I have a few questions about septic tank maintenance:
    1. How often do you need to clean it?
    2. Do you need to somehow strengthen it so that the septic tank does not crush with soil?
    3. How much do specialists take for installation?
    4. Is there a warranty?

    • Expert
      Nikolay Fedorenko
      Expert

      Hello. I will voice the manufacturer's recommendations:

      1. It is recommended to pump out the sediment from the receiving chamber with a frequency depending on individual conditions of use. On the recommendation of the manufacturer - once every 2 years, if there is no individual need to do this more often.

      Remember that the discharge into the septic tank of chemicals must be avoided if you do not want to kill the microflora and lose the biological processing of waste mass.

      In addition, it is advised to periodically inspect the filter of the third chamber, where microflora is collected.If problems are found, you should either replace the filter, or update the biological backfill.

      2. It is necessary to comply with the manufacturer's recommendations during installation work. In order to exclude the possibility of backlash, the formation of a concrete base is required. To stabilize the position of the hull, backfill around the tank with a cement-sand mixture (1/4) with a spill and seal is made.

      3. Of course there are guarantees, conditions and terms are spelled out in the technical passport for the device. We do not have exact data, but you can check on the official website.

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