Am I done before I start?

[H2OKIE]

I'm just getting started researching on how to get started in this hobby and a question popped in my head that really got me worried. With the large volumes of water required for water changes, ro/di wastewater, etc. That are generated, are they safe to be put down the drain to my septic tank? Where I live we aren't connected to the city sewer system. I was planning to start with a 50-100 gal tank, but ultimately I want a 200-300 gal dsp tk with a frag tank added in.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[sasharotty]

I wouldnt put it in a septic, the saltwater will tear it up.But plenty of other options though to dispose of it.That shouldnt discourage you from getting into this rewarding hobby imo.

[Basketstar]

If you keep your bioload low, feed sparingly, and use a large amount of mature live rock, you can get away with smaller and/or infrequent water changes. There are many nutrient export methods that can also help you to achieve this goal.

[lordofthereef]

Water changes I don't have a suggestion for, but the RO water can literally safely be dumped down a storm drain, or just outside, into the woods, etc. Don't do this with your saltwater though.

[H2OKIE]

Thanks for the feedback! Im not too concerned about the ro waste because I can use it in my fw tank and my wife has plenty of flowers to water. My original plan was to build in a slop sink for the sw but I guess I'll have to rethink that. I was hoping to not have to lug water in and out of the house, but that may be my only choice.

Anyone else have a similar issue?

[Ethan_W]

just get a really long hose and dig a hole in ur backyard and let it drain outside in the dirt

[cornraker]

How can saltwater hurt a septic system?

[WGardiner]

Originally Posted by cornraker

How can saltwater hurt a septic system?

I would like to know this also cause I've been dumping old saltwater down the drian.

[returnofsid]

Originally Posted by cornraker

How can saltwater hurt a septic system?

Septic systems work because of live bacteria, that lives within the system. Saltwater will kill this live bacteria.

[sowellj]

Just have the saltwater drain to a storm drain / hole in the yard. I really don't see this as having adverse consequences. To put things in perspective, think of all of the oil/road grime thats gets deposited on the roads. Waste RO/DI can be used to fill the washer, water the garden, etc.

[saltwater freak]

If you have to take water outside i would get a maxi jet power head connect it to a hose and use the hose to transport water to where ever you are storing it or disposing it

I use this method when pumping fresh saltwater into my system from mix tank

[badwrasse]

use the salt wast as weed killer, put it someplace that nothing grows or you dont want anything to grow

[Raggamuffin]

if you can't think of any better use I would love to add that used SW is AWESOME at clearing snow and ice from the driveway! During the summer feel free to make and or buy a barrel or tub and just dump the SW there, it will evap and also kill off skeeter numbers! They lay eggs in the water the eggs die... make sure to keep a screen over it though or pets can get sick from drinking it, deer LOVE the salt.

[hvacman250]

Saltwater isnt the best thing for your septic system...but neither is bleach used in your washing machine, cleaners you use in the sink, bathrooms, etc. If you're worried, add a monthly enzyme made for septic systems.

I have a 1500 gallon septic tank and 300+ feet of 3' leech field. My 30 gallons a month of saltwater doesnt scare me.

[H2OKIE]

Thanks for the input everyone. I've been reasearching online and there is a lot of info about water softeners and speptic tanks and most all say that the brine rinse off of those is safe. It may not be apples to apples comparison, but it's good enough for me to keep pushing forward. I think i will get a waste drum and pump it out slowly over multiple days instead of all at once, and use the rest as weed killer instead of round up!

[H2OKIE]

Originally Posted by hvacman250

Saltwater isnt the best thing for your septic system...but neither is bleach used in your washing machine, cleaners you use in the sink, bathrooms, etc. If you're worried, add a monthly enzyme made for septic systems.

I have a 1500 gallon septic tank and 300+ feet of 3' leech field. My 30 gallons a month of saltwater doesnt scare me.

Great point on all the other stuff that gets into the system. Hadn't thought about it that way.

[scubasteve06]

I never thought that sw could harm a septic system. My father has told me inumerable times to just dump the sw on the lawn. I've done this with 100's of gallons and our grass isn't dead....yet lol.

[sowellj]

A bit off topic, if you are really planning on upgrading to a larger display ... mabye just skip the 100 gallon. This will save you some money in the long run. Also, if you are married, you can only play the upgrade card once. This way when you upgrade from a say a 180 you will be looking at a much bigger tank. At the least by the equipment for the 100 gallon with the largre display in mind.

[H2OKIE]

Originally Posted by sowellj

A bit off topic, if you are really planning on upgrading to a larger display ... mabye just skip the 100 gallon. This will save you some money in the long run. Also, if you are married, you can only play the upgrade card once. This way when you upgrade from a say a 180 you will be looking at a much bigger tank. At the least by the equipment for the 100 gallon with the largre display in mind.

Thanks sowellj. That's what vie been thinking about actually. I hope whatever I buy now can be used as either the sump or frag tank in my future setup. Same for equipment. I'm going to try to get at least one size bigger than necessary now. Very good advice!

[lordofthereef]

Originally Posted by sowellj

Just have the saltwater drain to a storm drain / hole in the yard. I really don't see this as having adverse consequences. To put things in perspective, think of all of the oil/road grime thats gets deposited on the roads. Waste RO/DI can be used to fill the washer, water the garden, etc.

The idea is not to be administering non-native species into any water supply. I agree that it is a long shot that any of it makes it any place where it can survive in the middle of TN (I assume that is where the OP lives), but it is still not a safe practice IMO. These types of practices are what gets environmentalists pointing fingers at our hobby.

[RocketSurgeon]

following along.

[Sk8r]

You have a driveway that's not near the septic system? Pick a spot you'd really like to eliminate all growth from, such as a driveway, etc: it'll be a salty spot, but over time, with rains, the earth has a way of gradually absorbing a salty spot and redistributing it. If it becomes a salt lick some 300 years on, deer will thank you. Organisms are going to be pretty well toast between salt and freshwater: the algae spores are all over the planet, so you're not spreading those; as long as you're not growing caulerpa and dumping it into the ocean you're pretty safe.