What makes someone a REAL prepper?

[poltiregist]

As " Lonewolf " my focus is not on technology or any kind of machinery . I am quite capable and looking forward to my " by hand gardening " that I do each year . True I could grow more utilizing machinery , but what I already customarily grow would go a long ways toward giving the grocery stores the middle finger . Going around begging for something that I failed to prep for , is certainly not any part of my plan " A.K.A. bartering " . my survival acreage has abundant wildlife and fish plus chicken eggs from my flock to supplement my gardening , so all my survival strategy has not been put in one basket . -- The way I look at it most folks Archille's heel in the survival / prepper arena is the location they plan to make their last stand . That is where many are not willing to go , as into moving and establishing a real level 5 - S.H.T.F. survivable alamo . -- I know that probably pi--ed some folks off , but here we are talking about the life and death of children of folks that hinge on whether their parent's really prepared are just fantasized . Everyone needs to put their big boy drawers on and face parental responsibility of a potential level 5 -- S.H.T.F. scenario .

 

[Cabin Fever]

I wouldn't worry about freezing. Pumped every 4 years is right. Not sure what's going on but we went 15 years before our first tank cleaning, then 10 years, now I have to do 4 years. I last had it pumped in 10/2020 and it's needed again.

What caused the blockage:
I'm going to say it's twofold. Since the float switch failed, effluent in that tank was at max and didn't accept anything from the other tank. Not my exact system but the tank on the right of the below pic gives you an idea. Right side tank is full and that's where there was a switch failure.

Looking at this pic, because the tank on the right wasn't being drained, the left side tank kept collecting solids and not draining. It shows scum and wastewater in the left tank. My wastewater area in that left tank was gone and it was almost all scum/sludge. The red arrows from the left side is normally trying to push into water. It wasn't water, it was sludge so it couldn't push. That elbow on the left where it's coming from the house then got clogged.

I cleaned out that elbow, stirred the left side tank and now it's "enough" to keep things going until I get the tanks cleaned next week.


View attachment 173575




Here's the riser I used. Times 2 to get me 24" up plus the lid.
https://www.amazon.com/24X12-Tuf-Tite-Septic-Tank-Riser/dp/B00IEC9QU6/
View attachment 173572

You're right to have your solids tank pumped. Might want to think about getting it pumped every 3 years if it is now full of solids and scum after 4 years. Your tank is a lot deeper than ours, but depending on your new lid, I would consider placing some filled leaf bags in the manhole (or on top of the manhole lid for insulation). Does your pump have a warning light to let you know when it is not working?

 

[zoomzoom]

You're right to have your solids tank pumped.

I actually get both tanks pumped. The clear liquid tank doesn't need it but the pump truck likes to clear out this tank after the other as it cleans out his hoses.

Does your pump have a warning light to let you know when it is not working?

I don't right now but working on it.

 

[Tirediron]

Every body talks about getting the septic tank pumped now, do you have a plan for when it is not "just a phone call away, and if you have a plan, have you actually had a practice round? simple tools for checking the amount of solids build up are fairly easy to build from basic stuff, but septic systems are often out of sight, out of mind.

 

[zoomzoom]

Every body talks about getting the septic tank pumped now, do you have a plan for when it is not "just a phone call away, and if you have a plan, have you actually had a practice round? simple tools for checking the amount of solids build up are fairly easy to build from basic stuff, but septic systems are often out of sight, out of mind.

Not sure exactly what you're saying or asking.
To check the amount of solids, I just use a small piece of lumber and push it into the effluent to see how deep it goes with resistance since the thick stuff rises to the top of the tank.

BTW, I use Roebic septic treatment every 6 months. It cleans things out and has the microbes that eat TP and poop.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017XO2ACQ

 

[Cabin Fever]

Every body talks about getting the septic tank pumped now, do you have a plan for when it is not "just a phone call away, and if you have a plan, have you actually had a practice round? simple tools for checking the amount of solids build up are fairly easy to build from basic stuff, but septic systems are often out of sight, out of mind.

My plan is every 4 years. In our cold climate, plus the fact that septic tanks are buried, there isn't much bacterial action going on....it's too cold.

 

[poltiregist]

Occasionally , probably like all of you see some really ridiculous survival plans . -- Case in point , Do you guys remember the two adult sisters and a boy " son of one of the women " got tired of society and decided to live like the mountain men they saw depicted on shows like " Jerimiah Johnson " . They packed off into the mountains to live like the show they had watched . A few months later someone found what was left of them . They had starved to death . -- Point being get real and don't try imitating some show that likely some limp wristed California person concocted . I am sure some of our down to earth farm girls on this forum can attest to what will really work .

 

[zoomzoom]

My plan is every 4 years. In our cold climate, plus the fact that septic tanks are buried, there isn't much bacterial action going on....it's too cold.

I don't recall where you live but for most, the cold climate isn't really a factor since the tank(s) are at a relatively constant temp, probably in the 50's. Your poop, showers, laundry or whatever other water uses that are warm keep the temp up a bit.

Look at the Roebic product I mentioned. It was recommended to me by the septic service that does my tanks. Pick the product size that matches your tank size. 500 or 1000 gallons. I use it every 6 months.

Oh, and avoid bleach as much as possible as it kills the microbes in your tank.

 

[Cabin Fever]

I don't recall where you live but for most, the cold climate isn't really a factor since the tank(s) are at a relatively constant temp, probably in the 50's. Your poop, showers, laundry or whatever other water uses that are warm keep the temp up a bit.

Look at the Roebic product I mentioned. It was recommended to me by the septic service that does my tanks. Pick the product size that matches your tank size. 500 or 1000 gallons. I use it every 6 months.

Oh, and avoid bleach as much as possible as it kills the microbes in your tank.

I've seen septic tanks with a sheet of ice on top of liquid in the tank, especially during winter with little snow for insulation. Right now, we have two friends whose septic tanks are froze up due to little snow and early subzero temperatures.

You have everything you need for microbial decomposition in your septic tank already contained in your own poop. While additives may not hurt your septic system, they are certainly not needed.

 

[Magus]

Every body talks about getting the septic tank pumped now, do you have a plan for when it is not "just a phone call away, and if you have a plan, have you actually had a practice round? simple tools for checking the amount of solids build up are fairly easy to build from basic stuff, but septic systems are often out of sight, out of mind.

That implies we'll have running water, I'll just rely on a honey bucket and some lime.

 

[Tirediron]

That implies we'll have running water, I'll just rely on a honey bucket and some lime.

Answered like someone who has obviously thought this through

 

[Magus]

*Bows*
Thought it, lived it. miss it.