How I use my compost toilet ~ Clivus Multrum LP from Ecoflo

If you’ve ever wondered about using a compost toilet, this video is for you. I review the Clivus Multrum LP from Ecoflo and give you the pros and cons, answer your questions and let you know how it works.
🏡 I’m Ziggy, and along with my tiny chihuahua fur love, Bella, I live in my tiny house on wheels in the hills and mountains of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Australia 🏡
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[@johnmontagestudios2428]

My compliments on taking the time to look at the system from a USER/CONSUMER point of view and going into so much detail. THIS is the kind of video you want to see when you want to research and get someone's opinion based on their experience. (Not just simply spouting tech specs and the same info anyone could read from the manufacturer's web page). Nicely done! Thank you! :)

[@jessicawilliamson927]

Thank you for sharing with us! What a neat little system. I don’t have experience with composting toilets although in the garden neem oil was quite effective and its natural ☺️. Ecoflo website mentions breaking the cycle using pyrethrum spray. I found this info from greywateraction.org: It takes around two weeks for fly eggs to hatch into flies. Sawdust bucket type toilets that are emptied more frequently than every two weeks won’t have flies to worry about. Larger containers that fill for longer than two weeks will probably have an occasional fly outbreak. First, try to prevent flies from getting in. Make sure the toilet lid fits snugly onto the soil seat. Install screens on any vent pipes and caulk any cracks where flies could enter. During an infestation, if possible, empty the toilet and clean out the container. Or, purchase neem oil from a nursery or garden store. Dilute it in a spray bottle and spray into the toilet for a few days. Neem oil is effective on both fly larvae and eggs. Learn how to build a simple fly trap from compost toilet pioneer David Omick (scroll down to find the instructions here)

[@1amZiggy]

Brilliant suggestions thankyou 😊. I’ll give those a try 👍

[@bobwebber2804]

Great overview thanks very much you had me sold until the nat situation

[@1amZiggy]

Glad I could help

[@rossmail5924]

Great video. I've seen this type before, very informative!

[@1amZiggy]

Glad you liked it!

[@Hei_hey]

For gnats, I think it helps to get a glass jar with wide mouth, put in piece of fruit with a couple tablespoons water...cover with coffee filter that has holes in it made with toothpick. I dump out every two days as food for frogs and birds. Bananas or apple pieces are easy to do. Then you can rinse out with warm soapy water when convenient and reuse filter. Never heard a frog outside window until did that. Gives option for flies to choose better exit. Hope that helps for waterless tank lifestyle.🐸🍎🌤 Also for those wanting nomad use, maybe divert liquids to a rolling tank for disposal at caravan, rv dump station. Also prevents water into house during emergency storm situations. .

[@debracalder6541]

Hi Ziggy, Great video, it answered most of the questions I had. I just have one more about the excess liquid hose which you mentioned briefly. I think you said it was going into a pit but can you please give a bit more detail about either that pit or where else it can go? Thanks again.

[@cyrielleizard1725]

Thanks a lot for all of this information (without taboo)

[@1amZiggy]

My pleasure

[@nicolemisseldine2131]

Hi Ziggy, thanks so much for this review, really helpful! My partner and I are getting a Tiny built and having trouble deciding on the best compost toilet option for us, and this seems great. I was wondering regarding the fly problem, you said below you solved with pyrethrum - how do you use that - does that prevent them, or just kill them once they 'arrive'? Thanks again!

[@debkennedy56]

Some words of encouragement Ziggy - This is just the sort of review video I looked for (but didnt actually find) when I first began looking at compost toilets - you covered things off really well - it doesnt run on and on and is without the blah blah that often comes with these vids. Having heard the pros and cons my final question is: Are you satisfied with your purchase (would you go with this product again)? Looking forward to more of your TH vids and I have my fingers crossed on someone providing the answer to the dreaded gnat problem. - Thanks heaps

[@1amZiggy]

@Deb thanks so much. Even with the current gnat problem, I’d buy this toilet again in a heartbeat. it ticks all my boxes. I’m going to try some ideas this coming week to smash the gnats and then it will be perfect! 😊

[@helenwilliams3948]

Do you know how the pile in the chamber is affected if someone has diahorrhea, or some tummy bug? I guess the microbes, etc in the pile would neutralise any pathogens in time, but any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Also, if the owner is on medication, such as antibiotics, is the composting process affected?

[@kirstencowley2651]

I also have a CMLP in my tiny home. It has never worked properly despite me following all the instructions. I have to empty a very full chamber every month or so. The stuff in the chamber never breaks down and I have to bury sewage in my back yard. I thought it was because of the cold winter in Victoria but the situation hasnt resolved now its summer. Burying the stuff and moving cannisters is back breaking. The key to turn the cog broke as did the handle to turn it. They replaced the key but not the handle. When I tried fitting the key into the cog I lost the cog down the bottom chamber of the cannister. This happened twice so i now have no way to turn the mixture. I would not recommend this product to anyone.

[@ali.murray]

Hey hun, I came here to see if people were having this problem as my tenant who rents my tiny home was having the same problem as you. I found these steps from starting with any empty chamber:- start with a layer of the “Nature Quick Microbes” from Ecoflo in Virginia Brisbane (follow packet instructions) then a handful of pine shavings, then when you do your business make sure it’s a good solid to liquid ratio. Feed it pine shavings after every deposit and turn 3x a week. I found out the tenant (male) wasn’t peeing in it (he was going in the bush down from the home) he was only doing no.2’s so there was no liquid and it was dry and not breaking down. Add water (sounds like a bad cake recipe 😅) and turn. See if that helps. I also got him to clean/spray the bowl/Shute with Ecoflo’s Nature Flush Enzymes concentrate in the 1ltr bottle. I’ve only had to buy this once in 4yrs in the bundle pack. It lasts quite awhile and it is composting really well now. I’ve noticed other different tenants have had trouble with it too because they don’t turn it or feed it enough and one woman was peeing a lot in it and not feeding it enough shavings to keep the compost thicker. It is a bit tricky but if you can some how monitor the consistently of it, it does break down and work well. I was told it was good for 4 ppl up to 6 months, but that is not true at all. After 2-3 months with 1 person it is quite full so that is the only con I don’t like about it. I hope this helps.

[@rozierose1]

What about dirty pan from people who might miss the bowl while pooping? And weeing onto the porcelain, having no water to flush after? Can’t imagine how you clean poop all over the bowl after missing the hole??? Thanks in advance. Great video by the way. My daughter has just bought the same toilet and we are busy trying to install it.

[@jeanwarneke359]

Hi, don't know if you are still answering questions, but here goes. I am considering one of these units for a cabin I have that I use seasonally. When not there, I turn off the electricity. Would that cause smell? Or should I remove the chamber when not there? Thanks!

[@sugarallure]

Great overview of the system including pros and cons. Wondering if you've had any success with the suggested solutions to the fly problem?

[@1amZiggy]

Thanks. yep, all resolved. Used pyrethrum and it got rid of them 😊

[@sugarallure]

Thanks! Great to hear that issue is sorted :). Another question, are you able to change the chambers over yourself or is the full one a bit heavy and you find you need some help with that? We're looking at it for my father in law who is 80 and has some spine issues. Is it very yucky doing the changeover? Really appreciate your review and insights - my father in law found it super helpful in alleviating many of his concerns

[@debbiehill2285]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge. I think a tiny home would be great for one person. More to it than I thought for the toilet and shower and such however. Do you still work as a nurse? If you don’t mind me asking. If you would rather not answer that’s ok. Thank you Ziggy. Have a good day. Prayers for your back. 🙏

[@1amZiggy]

hi Debbie, thanks for watching. Due to a chronic and degenerative spinal condition, I can’t work anymore I’m afraid. it’s annoying of course but there you go. Life doesn’t always give you roses 😊

[@debbiehill2285]

Your so welcome. I so enjoy you. I am so sorry about Spinal condition. I feel so bad for you. I completely understand. I have DDD also. I also have Arachnoiditis. I have a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted in me. It does help some. Anyway I feel for you. My back and leg is a mess. I think it is from all my years of nursing. 40 years. I was a Medical Assistant. Take care. Thanks for letting me know. Will keep you in my prayers. 😍

[@TinyDreamer]

Omg, such a GREAT video and I dont even have this toilet! Super informative! I have problems with the gnats too but not that many! Wow! However, I keep them down with Diatomaceous Earth. Put some in a sock and tie it up and smack the sock so the Diatomaceous Earth dust falls out onto the waste you just did it can also be dusted around the bowl. When it hits bugs it kills them. If you dont want it in your compost, just dust the bowl so they dont want to come through to the bowl part. Question...there seems to only be a ring that you sit on...is there a normal lid? It doesnt seem like much for cheeks to sit on while using the bathroom. :) lol

[@1amZiggy]

😊🤣😂😊 thanks Jennifer 😊 Thanks so much for that suggestion, I’ll give that a go. Yes it does have a normal seat and lid, I just had that up for the video so you could see into it more easily 😊

[@TinyDreamer]

@@1amZiggy Oh phew!! :D Great job again!

[@billebeth6704]

Ive enjoyed your videos- just found you today! Im at day 4 of lower facelift and you did an amazing job showing your wonderful transformation! Im just a little puzzled about why you let your hair color go? You looked really beautiful and after going through all that effort, why arent you keeping up with the hair color? Just curious!

[@1amZiggy]

hanks for watching. I decided to stop colouring because I wanted a simpler life, less chemicals in/on my body and I wanted to embrace the very pretty white hair around my face. it’s about 2.5 years since I died it now and I love the more natural colour 😊

[@Philippe.C.A-R]

I miss my Chinese Crested seeing your Papillon!

[@1amZiggy]

Hi, no this is a brand new video I just filmed this week. My little Bella is actually a chihuahua but with her fluffy ears, she certainly looks like a Papillon 😂

[@Philippe.C.A-R]

Ziggy & Bella thanks ! See what you could do with Bella too : kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZCcaGBnp6t1bsk By the way what happened to your other channel i followed ( 10 years younger) ?

[@1amZiggy]

yoga with my chi! yes! Love it. thank you 🙏

[@EmJayIl]

Have you had any power outages? I’ve got a Separett toilet which like yours has a constant fan. I’ve had two power outages recently and found without the fan it hasn’t taken long for the smell to come. Mind you, with your toilet the chamber is further away so I imagine it would take longer for any smell to be a problem.

[@1amZiggy]

I have had a couple. I found if you put gladwrap (I think it’s called Saran Wrap or something in the US) over the toilet seat and seal it, you don’t get the smell during power outages 😊

[@richardbird5697]

Paint vent pipe black sun will warm it creating a vortex