Aerobic Septic System Alarm Troubleshooting - Gast or Hiblow Pump Not Working

Today I'm going to show you what to do when your Nayadic or other aerobic septic system alarm goes off. These systems may seem complex, but they really are not. You can take a few simple DIY steps to diagnose and repair the most common causes of septic airflow alarms. This applies to many brands of aerobic septic systems. If you have a Hiblow linear or Gast rotary vane pump, I'll list some common replacement parts below. (Paid Amazon Links)
Gast Rotary Vane AT05 Pump amzn.to/3wplBWS
Hi-Blow HP-80 Linear Pump amzn.to/2PuxYjZ
Hiblow Repair Kit amzn.to/3uc7KBm
Hiblow Modern Style Safety Switch Only amzn.to/2OfcSFA
Gast Rotary Vane Repair Kit amzn.to/3udXokH

[@tommybank]

Thanks for the great video! Great job!

[@kylehall5760]

Thanks for the information

[@zachcooper1086]

Geezus this guy knows about shitters too!!

[@elizabethreed3516]

This house has a aerobic system. What suggestions do you have

[@pl747]

I plumbed a 0-10 lb gauge where the external pressure switch is. Makes it a lot easier to trouble shoot. If the switch goes under 1 lb the red light will activate. These normally run at 2 to 3 lbs of pressure. They can appear to be working, running and putting out "some" air and people will think they are ok and they are not. If they are around 1 psi or just below usually one diaphragm will be ripped and bad. There are two diaphragms; one on each end of the air pump. I like the Fuji Mac pumps a lot better. They use permanent magnets for the fields instead of electrical windings like the Hiblow does. Simpler and uses less electricity. These things run 24/7. Plus they are a little cheaper than the Hiblow and are quiet.

[@lakewoodresident4674]

Typically when my light goes off (I shut off the audible alarm as light is plenty of notice) I assume the pump is dead since that's always been the case for me. I have two of these systems on my property so last time I simply stole the pump out of system I'm not using. Pump just quit again so this go around I'm going to see what it takes to rebuild as pumps run around $400 last time I checked. There's not a big hurry depending on size of household, (just me on mine) and how much waste you add to system daily but at some point the solids will accumulate faster than reduced bacteria levels can compensate for. That's all that pump really does is create a great home for bacteria.

[@pl747]

@@lakewoodresident4674 I bought a Fuji Mac 80 from Wholesaleseptic last time. it has permanet magnetics in it and uses less electricity since it doesnt need juice for the field windings. Its been running about 5 years now. If a diaphragm blows on just one end of the pump it will still put out air but you can easily tell it is not enough with the pressure gauge. Only cost maybe $10-15 to add it.

[@elizabethreed3516]

We have water backing up into toilet. Flush one time goes down but is over flowing under the floor.

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Sounds like you have a clog or the tank is full

[@paulsosa1872]

I just bought a house with a septic system the seller said to never disconnect the power from the service provider. Because of the type or age of system I have they wouldn't reconnect power. Any info on how, why or what?

[@JackofAllMasterofNone]

Sounds like they are talking about your power service from the power company.

[@lakewoodresident4674]

They didn't know what they were talking about. The power only operates air pump and alarm systems and your power company has nothing to do with septic regulations. That would be your public health dept and they only get involved when installing a system.

[@jennyanimal9046]

How much did it cost to install this system.?

[@lakewoodresident4674]

Plan on 3-4k for 750 to 1000 gallon aeration system which don't need a leech field and those pumps run about $400 if not doing your own rebuild.

[@audreykattan7977]

👍