A more better, low cost DIY Septic system for an 'off grid' cabin or camper. Part 1

Our existing system of waste disposal using a 12v macerator pump has been working but it is a hands-on set up and the bride has been grumbling. So, a true septic gravity system has been under construction in my head for quite a while. Time to but all that thinking to use.

[DannyWildmen]

I was raised on a farm, you run your washing machine out a separate pipe that just drains away from the septic tank it doesn't drain into the system! You can even do that with your kitchen drains!
The septic system is only for the toilet. Just some advice.

[jeevespreston]

What a remarkably creative and hard-working man you are! Your family is truly blessed to have you!

[ImionsaeXwb]

we did this 40+ years ago when we built our own house on the Indian reservation, we dug a big deep hole to fit 8 55g stainless steel drums, 4 on the bottom 4 on the top, run 4 inch pvc pipe from the drums, poke holes on the side of the drums to drain into the soil, no septic pipes, lasted about 20 years....

[ottokittel]

nice looking job! built a few septic tanks many years ago in some hunt camps with the blue plastic barrels like you did. I am now 78 years old and nice to look back at the good times.

[Worldsokayestcraftsman]

You nailed it when you mentioned concerns about the square water tote. I've seen a system using one collapse inward for the exact reasons you mentioned.

[humanityfightingapulse]

I love your channel!!! Ingenuity is something that is lacking in recent generations of the male human species. It is refreshing and quite exciting to see that you have those skills and the ingenuity to “get’r done”! Thank you so much for sharing, and a I will be watching as long as you are producing videos on your channel. I know your wife is so proud of you! God bless y’all, keep you safe and well. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen!! 😃♥️🙏🤗

[SlipFitGarage]

We did this at a cabin in the woods of northern Minnesota. However, instead of three 55 gallon drums, we used two 5 gallon buckets. lol. That system worked great connected to one shower and one toilet. BUT, that one toilet would serve 6-8 guys every weekend during the spring, summer, and fall months for at least 5 or 6 years. The owner of the cabin was always amazed when one of the guys would show up with one of those jumbo packs of toilet paper like you get from Sam's Club or Costco.... He always wondered where all that paper eventually went. The system worked great for many years until he finally built a new house on the property and installed a proper septic system.

[a.joegevara]

I built a two chamber septic tank 37 years ago out of cinder blocks plastered the inside with white cement. Still working to this day. Built one 2 years ago. If you follow the basic rules it shouldn't give you problems. I put clean outs fore & aft every couple of years I'll put 50# of rock salt into my drain feild to mitigate root intrusion. ;)

[mattelgin]

I did this with one 55-gallon drum and one six-foot perforated PVC pipe for the leach field. Very minimal. Been working great for five years. I only run the toilet throught it so antibacterial soap from the shower and sink are not killing the bacteria that keeps the septic tank working.

[cwb]

I keep my septic happy by doing laundry on the back patio, washer sprung a small leak and parts are over 200 for a 10 year old washer so it went outside and drains into the yard. 3 months of rain and still going strong! It asked nicely to move to the basement for the winter and the wife accepted. She then requested at spring to take it back out she enjoys outdoor laundry. Its a win win!!!!

[TheMakersMarkTSF]

Thank you for this video, I was tossing around ideas for my off-grid camper and I really like this one!

[chuckles]

Nice work 👍 I would feel some pride with every flush

[rangerbob]

I would have put a 4” pipe coming out the top with a screw in cap top, also for future clean-out using a pumping truck. I did the same thing with a 500 gallon septic tank that I installed in the early 90’s before doing your own became illegal within certain limits. It lasted about 20 something years before having to call a pump truck to come out for pumping it out and refilling with water again.
You did a fantastic job! I really enjoyed watching your work!

[mycalltoadventure]

Added a full RV hook up on the back of my property about 23 years ago and did this with 2 barrels and 40’ leech line. Has been used pretty regularly pick over the years including me living in my 5th wheel full time for the last 3 years. Has worked like a charm!

[chugaaa]

Awesome job, specially for one man army like yours that was impressive! Hope it works to keep the lady happy.

[robinfulton]

For the life of me I couldn’t see how that led or bottom ended up in your yard, then I see the table saw. Glad you put the 4 by up to the fence, yep I learn the hard way to. That system should work great for you. Job well done Barry.

[gregcripps]

If you have a 3% drop your solid waste will be carried away by the liquid waste. Great idea. I was going to do this with the iso totes 270gallons each but county health department helped me spend about $8, 000 for a much less efficient system.
I loved the flexible pipe idea 💡

[paulbell]

That ol hindsight always rears its ugly head when you get past 50 for sure! Been waiting on a video such as this. Thanks Barry.

[ajfoskett]

This old timer who used to be a septic guy told me to get a gallon of whole milk, leave it out in the sun till it curdled, and the pour it or flush it into the tank. Said it keeps the micro organisms happy. Been doing that for years and never had to pump the tank on my system. For full time use do it every 4 or 5 months. For seasonal properties, once a year. Hope that helps extend your tiny system. 😊

[vincentsaladino]

We had a couple of old 24" concrete pipe stood vertical on a concrete bottom. Busted a hole in the side with a maul and installed the pipe similar to what you have in the video. Only toilet effluent went into it, kitchen and sink drains were separate and ran into a ditch. Used for 50+years.