DIY septic system for your retreat property!

[@lrayvick]

Several years ago I did a single toilet system for one person continuous occupation using two plastic 55 gal barrels as a buried two-chamber tank set upright and two 30 foot lengths of 4 inch septic pipe buried beside each other 18 inches deep in a one foot wide trench with 3 inches of gravel below and 3 inches above the pipes. I covered the rocks with dirt - straw is often used in SoCal. System worked fine for 7 years with no pumping of either tank. Nothing ever leaked, but we were on level ground with no soil issues and good percolation. When it was removed the primary tank had a few inches of sludge in it, the secondary tank had practically no sludge and the pipes were basically clean. Very good video. Good ideas.

[@hilham89]

Thank you. I'm needing to run something for my camper I just got that I will be living in for a while. Knowing how long this lasted you really helps because It won't be that long that I need it but you never know something can happen and will need to use it longer.

[@davidroberson1962]

Not sure it makes sense to use a 55 gal barrel when you can get a 275 ibc tote for $65 that has a metal frame and everything.

[@lrayvick]

The barrels cost $5 each. Metal rusts.

[@davidroberson1962]

@@lrayvick They are aluminum frames. No rust. The issue being that you have only so much room in a 55 gallon barrel for solids. Any real use would immediately mix it up and send it down the fields and stop the system from working in short order. That is how real septic tanks go bad. I guess with enough buckets in a row it would be OK.

[@ronb6182]

​@@lrayvickplastic crumbles over time. Let's be fair about making statements like that. A small tank that is made for this purpose is better. Drain Fields are cheap also. 73

[@chris28ohm]

I just listened to the beginning of the video and wanted to thank you for going to all the trouble of digging the hole and putting it all together so the rest of us can learn

[@herdnerd1972]

This fellow has many good ideas for alternative systems. It may or may not be exactly how I would do it. He never claims it is a one size fits all. Why would some people take an adversarial position on this. It certainly gave me several good ideas for my shop.

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Exactly! Very well said friend! Thanks for the comment.

[@kumara5492]

Wells said. Such a wise comment. Some people just can't think like humans, because they are just social animals with little brains.

[@HoustonR6ryda]

Awesome tutorial. I'd try two 55 gallon poly drums ,set -up the same way. To keep the outlet from beating a hole in the ground put a piece of tile/flat stone directly under the point where it falls into the leaching arch,and not beat a hole there..so your waste water would flow the whole length of your leaching field..such a great idea for a retreat cabin. You have great ideas and you Sir, are a good instructor-thanks for your helpful content.

[@jimmydecarlo876]

How do you mean by outlet beating a hole ?

[@wilfor03]

Great explanation of the what/why of the survival septic system....thank you

[@rasrutin]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video !!!

[@campmein]

Awesome video!!! I have always wondered how low the drain pipe should be, now I know. Also, thanks for showing the picture of the two barrels cut in half, initially I thought they were a complete barrels... now I see exactly what you did. Thank you for being so thorough in the presentation. If I lived close by, I would come shake your hand, my blessings go out to you!!! 💫💫💫

[@jordanborissay9182]

I was looking into building a system like this. I ended up using a book called the DIY septic system.

[@rekostarr7149]

looks like a scam.

[@deshawn9460]

thanks for that looks what I been needing

[@ashtondedmond2830]

where can you get it?

[@derekehler8334]

@@rekostarr7149 why?

[@CringePanda]

@@rekostarr7149 It is

[@d.schrute8345]

Thanks for your simplicity in explaining the system 👍

[@kotaperes4646]

Best video ever! Thanks a lot for posting it, you are the best my friend!

[@fumanilesishuba6178]

This is excellent cut and dry and straight to the point it makes everything as far as a home made septic tank is concerned sounds easy

[@dweimann1919]

Just finished building our new cabin for deer camp. This is exactly what we need. We'll have a kitchen sink and shower hooked up to it, as we have an outhouse, but we are only there every other weekend tops and maybe would have 3-4 showers total on a weekend, so I think this would handle it. Thanks for explaining everything so well.

[@BG-bx4ey]

It will work well for you. At my hunting camp, our 2 sinks drain to a burried, upside down 5 gallon bucket and our shower goes to a burried, upside down 55 gallon drum. Never had issues with it and this system is better. I would use another barrel because we tried a trash can and it collapsed.

[@daleval2182]

No grease

[@TheMagumba]

Why even do a septic for non sewage? Just use eco friendly products like Seventh Generation or Meyers. All my showers, sinks and laundry go directly into forest landscape. 3300 Sq ft cabin

[@MrBugman2525]

Very good presentation and craftmanship, very good ingenuity

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Thank you so much!

[@robbyfiveboy4862]

I just got land and am building an off grid cottage. This video PERFECTLY answered my question of how to deal with this. Im thinking (as someone pointed out) the solids container should be full of water before first use. Ill also use stronger than a garbage can and probably two solids containers. Our usage will be max 3 people sporadic. I live in the Philippines with no building codes! LOVE THIS THANKS

[@lookoutmountaingarockhunte1300]

Excellent job The way you explained it the way you use the material all of it excellent. The only thing I would do different if you have more than one person on that system would be enlarged the septic tank to a 50 gallon drum. Thank you

[@luggnutgaspar757]

Thank you sir ! I am going to use your system off of my RV in Navajo co. Az..

[@ronniebaxter5219]

Very informative video, thank you for taking the time to make this, you have undoubtedly helped tons of folks.

[@EriKBButler]

Thank You Sir for sharing this video , I been looking at different ideas for installing a septic tank for my trailer , I’m definitely going to follow your instructions . Awesome video 👍👍👍👍

[@eddygoodwin7089]

Key word for the trolls he says this is for a cabin, hunting camp or shop. So before you start with all the trash talk maybe watch the video and listen.

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Thanks Eddy!

[@eddygoodwin7089]

@LICKHER&STICKHERINTHEPINK &OTHERPLACES It would work just fine.

@LICKHER&STICKHERINTHEPINK &OTHERPLACES lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@vintageexcellence]

STOP TRYING TO SILENCE QANON!

[@eddygoodwin7089]

vintageexcellence stop trying to douche cannon

[@BlackFox96]

Looks good, you can also mimic expensive chamber fields by drilling tons of holes in the sides of the drums so the water can exit through the sides as well, it's just more surface area, though you would need to cover with that fabric contractors use in normal systems to prevent soil from getting in.

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Thanks

[@billveder1071]

Good idea! I'm getting tired of using an out house, I think I might break out the shovel.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

wow, excellant video!!!!!!! i can't thank u enough, i thought a septic tank was way way more complicated...... n thnks for showing how u cut the barrell in half.... i gotta build one for a single person livin in an rv. now i see where to start :)...

[@OneToGo1]

Well, how good job brother could be the great explanation straight to the point.Rock on man

[@kumara5492]

Thank you so so much for sharing this video. it has given me many ideas on how I can customize the system as per my needs. I really appreciate your work. I subscribed just for that.

[@jessarellanes6648]

That looks like good sandy dirt...thanks for sharing.

[@roostercogburn809]

I like your laser pointer... Good info, thanks, as I am building a new cabin and considering septic ideas. Do you flush any septic enzymes to create induce bacteria?

[@davidmorgan8612]

This is perfect for what I’m doing. Thank you.

[@FaceWhatIs]

Neat idea!. We could add a 1/2 inch pvc pipe with a floater attached to it's bottom. The pipe runs through the lid of the container with a mark on it to indicate the solids have reached the tank's usage capacity. When the solid stuff goes beyond the level of the water outlet the pipe would come up showing the mark. Keep two tanks like these with valves on the inlet to switch to the empty tank as you leave the stuff in the filled tank to decompose before you shove them out.

[@vanblindguy4600]

Wouldn't the floater simply float to the top of the water, which will always be at the level of the output pipe. How would this be an indicator of the solids level?

[@FaceWhatIs]

@@vanblindguy4600 I think we could tell the floater pipe being pushed up when the solids build up above the bottom of the outlet pipe for a inch or two.

[@sunnylandcamper]

Be working on this project over the next month. Think I have all the parts. Just me and a visitor or two from time to time...thanks

[@billthompson8182]

Nice work. Personally, I'd clean it up using higher grade plastics. Good design highlight.

[@davidroberson1962]

I'd suggest using a IBC tote that has 275 gallon capacity. Used ones aren't much more than barrels or garbage cans. You get maybe 30 gallons of sludge in that garbage can, it would be pretty easy to stir up the solids and run them into the field. This would work with maybe a single toilet used seasonally or at a camp. I probably wouldn't go running showers in it.

[@KyHighlander59]

I hope you're using something besides the plastic lid that came with the trashcan. Anyone who steps on that will get a real surprise. LOL

[@crazyuncleduke8012]

@WebCity Films Nancy Peeloosely approved this septic system. :-)

[@eddygoodwin7089]

WebCity Films I think her name is spelled nasty pusi

[@fedup2533]

Added perimeter security.

[@mhoe4079]

Agent Applebutt3 hey dickweed! At 3 minutes in, he explains the the “septic tank lid” is at ground level. Never does he say the lid is buried. But let’s assume you know what you’re talking about...Let’s. Explain to me how 50 to 100 lbs of dirt on top of a cheap plastic lid strengthens it??? Stupida$$!

[@Gruuvin1]

Covered means is camouflaged. As soon as someone steps on that 'covered' lid, they are falling into the shit hole.

[@chadbrailer643]

Why no baffle on the inlet side wont the fats and grease oils build up at the end of the pipe..? But my question is... at the baffles could you run the upper part of the T to ground level for clean out if ever clogged ?

[@jn3673]

Wouldn’t the trash can colapse with the pressure of the dirt?

[@DB-cx6cb]

Just bought a River house I just ordered a 1/2 Zoeller #95 effluent pump with 23 ft head capacity. Unfortunately my septic leach lines are below house with no r area for my proposed Gray water leach lines. I have one acre behind house with a slope of 15 degrees. I plan on separating all fixtures except Two water closet’s. Your installation is what I will use for only Gray and utilize my Septic tank for only fecal matter from the toilets. Prior to selling a house in Alabama to close on the house I had a 50 year old Septic tank With failed leach lines. The Septic Company installed a 500 gallon PVC holding tank adjacent to Existing Septic Tank for the Effluent’s with Gould 1/2 effluent pump with 2 float bulbs with alarm box with 500 feet of filtration lines that you are duplicating with your 55 gallon drum halving it. Septic Company charged. $ 9,800 I was over a barrel since purchase depended on the purchaser’s mortgage company home inspection and a septic inspection calling for permits and updating septic system. Now I’m in a very rural area I won’t have any restrictions. Great video! Hope this helps many who don’t have the resources to hire these high priced septic companies.

[@michaelyankasky5656]

i dont like the trash can because the sides can collapse i think a more ridgid plastic barrel with the lid cut out and a metal or concrete lid and backfill with gravel and add a drain field after the cut barrel with gravel

[@freeandcriticalthinker4431]

Let me ask you, what keeps the ground from collapsing that trash can? I have one of those and I am familiar with the rigidity and mine is quite soft. I have worked utilities for 15 years and seen plenty of collapsing underground spec’d tanks…. I can’t imagine that long term, when the soil settles and becomes wet with rain and snow, that it’s not going to collapse the trash can. I very curious on how you prevented that from happening. Cheers

[@thaddeauscaldwell7101]

Nice set up.

[@nicoleinterrante3831]

thanks for explaining the pipe measurement differences and the reasons behind it. I didn't really understand the mechanics behind a system until this video. I am curious if perforated plastic drain pipe with holes could not be used instead of the half barrels?

[@captaincrustyradio]

Best homemade cheap septic system I've seen. I like how you got right to it. I had to laugh at the comments...is this legal...does it leak into the ground...wow...if you have to ask, then this is not for you. 😄❤

[@ThomasDiy]

I know a guy who used to work for a funeral home. He used an old vault as a septic tank and the pond for the drain field. Fish love bacteria :)

[@Gman2930]

Thanks for the video. Perfect for what ya got goin.

[@JosephCompnotta]

Great, thanks are there holes on the liquid barells ?

[@TraumaChaplain]

I'm needing to do this for a gray water drain. How long would it take where you would have to vacuum out the first tank?. Our grey water tank handles the kitchen and the laundry so a lot of greasy things unfortunately people don't pay attention to not putting grease in.

[@jamese.morris2891]

The old timers up north would set traps for field mice in the fall. If one was dead a while they would flush them to introduce new bacteria into the system.I always remembered that and do it every so often without any issues.I've never used rid-x or any of those products.So it must work to some degree...

[@bigguyusa193]

A package of dissolved bakers yeast will work too, once a month. Simply dissolve a packet in hot water and pour into system... it feeds the bacteria and keeps the tank active...

[@markcoulter1773]

​@@bigguyusa1938:11 8:11

[@markcoulter1773]

​@@bigguyusa1938:11 8:11

[@markcoulter1773]

​@@bigguyusa1938:11 8:11

[@rcclassiccrawlers4368]

Also make sure your septic system is 80’ - 100’ away from your well or any freshwater to keep from contaminating it.

[@lexandersig]

What if someone steps on the top of the trashcan? Why not use another 55 gallon tank instead of that soft Brute trashcan? Just a question with all my respect. Iam just a beginner and i want to safe money and time. Thats why i am here following you. You are a good investment! lol

[@clicknstack1398]

This setup should handle a kitchen sink and a washing machine pretty well I'd think. What say you? Great video, sir!

[@brianwideman2342]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. A compost toilet makes more sense if a family were looking for options. 7 people using a toilet would fill that trash can up in about a month.

[@Gokywildcats11]

Does it end up leaching in the ground

[@nicholasnovak4]

Curious what kind of modifications you would make for a cold climate like Minnesota. Wondering one could make glass frames around it with old windows to help it from freezing up or put a big compost over it or something.

[@alexzabala2154]

What do you top the can with?

[@thaddeauscaldwell7101]

The trash can lid and then can cover the lid with dirt , to keep lid in place .

[@aztecwarrior1421]

Great video . thank you sir.

[@sergioknuf]

What happens if you don't want to empty it will it just turn to soil do you add worms to help it?

[@jameshagan2263]

If you want a more solid tank lid , build a square plywood form around the trash can and fill with cement then cover with cement lid .

[@tomatokook]

Where do you buy a cement lid? I like your suggestion.

[@MrMEmEmEmEMEMEeeeeee]

​@@tomatokook--Build a quick wooden form and pour it when you pour the concrete "tank" box-put a piece of hardware cloth about 1" smaller than the lid form in the middle of the pour for reinforcement.

[@lvl0rg4n]

We are temporarily moving into our RV until we can afford a construction loan, so this is going to be PERFECT for our uses. We were looking into an IBC tote septic but our ground is so rocky that I'm afraid I can't get a big enough hole, but this is soooo thin in profile.

[@paulstefan1347]

This is brilliant, thank you.

[@EdEd-ty1tw]

Nice septic video, ty

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Thanks

[@RK-nl1hn]

Goidday can i use this for biogas?

[@GermanShepherdRanch]

Great video. Very complete.

[@stepheneggert7388]

Find a nice steel plate as a cover over the can..i did this..for my gray water..from kit sink and dishwasher..work like a dream..no permit needed..ive gor a 800 gl.tank w a field for the shower and potty..save your self money..do it your self..i live in fl..so its sand your digging into..i used 6in flex drain pipe.put a sand screen over the piping sell at home stores..keeps the sand out..ive got 7 kids in here..40 ft of pipe 3 rows.saved 5 thousand do it your self. Ven my wife. Helped ...had it replaced in a day..used the 800 gl.cement tank thats here. Nothing was wrong with it..plastic tanks crack ..my nabbor fond out that ..one..after 5yrs it went to crap.cement tanks last a lifetime.i hope . my info helps ..

[@stepheneggert7388]

@Agent Applebutt if its a cabbin..and u are doing a kitchen drain..from your kit sink use a 3 in drain pipe pvc..type..out your cabin wall.barry the pipe on a down ward pitch..for flow..to your dry well..u can get at home depot..10 gal in the out door garden sec. Its plasic..so u can drill holes in the sides of it..barry it put gavel around the outside of the. Dry well so the gray water can get into the ground....this i used only for gray water..not the potty..i hope this helps u..the bigger the dry well the better.no one will know the diff ..mark where the tank is for the future..i did this for my small kitchen. S ink a n d dishwasher..

[@professionalinspectionserv9468]

Should be easy to attach a leech line at the end...so if the area around was saturated the liquid has a place to go if needed.

[@rekostarr7149]

Where is the other video(s)? Links would be nice.

[@whitenas]

This was very helpful. Thank you

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Thank you!

[@Agnetatheyoutuber]

Cool goods here very knowledgeable

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Thanks

[@Fisherhunt56]

I'M going to do this. I'm going to use poly barrels that will last much longer than thin plastic trash can.

[@utubeape]

Thanks, your system looks good - so small and simple. I plan to do a compost toilet for soilds, and just have a septic system for urine, shower and washing water, washing machine with eco detergents, kitchen sink waste. So very few particles, do you think it will still work. I would be on my own. Can I daisy chain a couple more trash cans together to further purify?

[@gilbertgiron6715]

I am confused, so under the split barrel is just bare ground or rock?

[@doubleadoublel99]

yup...

[@richiestaklinski5499]

Can I ask what happens to the solids and toilet paper left behind when the water leaves. Does it need to be cleaned out every so often.

[@vitolazlo5767]

what I would like to know is how to get rid of the sludge. I put an IBC tote for 1 man and in 8 months it had 5 inch of sludge at the bottom. At that time we were having a company pump it Not the whole thing.

[@thomasbertolini9523]

Is it just me or does this dude sound like Cookie Monster?!

[@julioviloria3289]

COO... KIEEE

[@multidimensionaltraveler806]

Holy crap, he does now that i saw this comment. All i picture in my head now is cookie monster talking about a pooping system

[@raevenbrooke3030]

Very informative I know have the confidence to do this myself

[@georgechulu7902]

i888888

[@lodwill4007]

when full have garbage man pick up. And just place back in ground. After garbage day.! Tadah ta dah.!!!!

[@svca12218]

Great video and information. Thanks! wouldn't adding yeast and sugar to the tank would create bacteria that breaks down the solids and don't have to empty the tank?

[@jimmydecarlo876]

Where can i find video of grease trap system for gray water ?

[@12vLife]

what's the purpose of the T with two ways for fluids to flow out? why not just from the top with an elbow? is that about clogging and flow? wouldn't the waterline be at the bottom of the vertical tube outflow?

[@MrMEmEmEmEMEMEeeeeee]

Keeps solids and floating yuck from exiting into the chamber because water is being drawn from the relatively clear middle portion of the fluid column which is least likely to allow TP or undigested turds to exit and rapidly plug up the chamber.

[@glennwhitt7375]

Good explanation and thank you

[@lvl0rg4n]

Sorry for the double comment, but I couldn't find the video where you talk about what to do when it's full. Can you link me?

[@tommwarneke396]

Tried finding your video on cleaning out this style septic. I could not find it? Would you provide link to video for cleaning septic? Thanks

[@gunnerman09]

Inspection ???? Haha dhec has only been around for 50 yr but septic sys have been in use for over 150 year that mean there a lot of sys out there that work fine WITH OUT dhec approval....

[@dsimon33871]

I am a septic inspector... what a shitty job!

[@mr.greenjeans8323]

I will be living fulltime in my off grid cabin actually 3 people and first I had planned on a composting toilet and running all my grey water out into a leach field which looks alot like your barrel system ...no my question is should I continue with my original plans or will this work for a full-time family of 3 my daughter in law is having issues with the thought of a composting toilet even though it's not her that'll be emptying it anyway ...my second question is what happens when the trashcan is full of poop Ok you answered my questions

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

I would run the gray water on the ground and just have the toilet on this type of system. This will handle 3 people with just the toilet on it. When it gets full just scoop it out and put it in a hole.

[@mr.greenjeans8323]

@@theappalachianamerican8607 couldn't the sewer out of the house just be ran straight in a deep hole with some steal lid and the pipe ran into a hole in the lid that would eliminate the nasty scooping and when that hole is full dig another and place the pipe in it and begin again the liquid would absorb into the soil leaving the solids

[@eddielemay2845]

What happens to the poop and paper?

[@tranquilitybase6417]

How often do you have to empty solids with this setup? I’m building a tiny home up in Idaho, so I assume I would also need to be below frost-line, correct?

[@rickw7903]

Are allthose barrels plastic or is the split one metal? How long will it last before itneeds replacing?

[@thievingpanda]

Im sure you took it apart 😉😉

[@steelpix]

Would this be good for an RV used about two to three days a week? Both gray and black water.

[@eddiehernandez854]

I install septic for a living and this will work

[@jimkelly1613]

Does that keep rats out? Its really scary when floating logs try to climb out

[@symcardnel1741]

3:13 "soaks up the solids"? So human waste (liquid) leaching into the ground, and water table, is ok? Probably woun't want to have your well to close to that right?

[@MrMEmEmEmEMEMEeeeeee]

Min of 100', I'd double that with this system just because ...

[@Tarasrurallife25]

I wouldn't use the trash can lid because someone can fall threw but I would do is cover it up and put a small dense around it and plant flowers to absorb the water ir a garden even knownody would have the balls to step on mom's flowers.

[@jivipaul125]

Nice job thank you

[@67jjohn]

Now we know what "Alex Jones" with a southern accent sounds like, lol!

[@alexzabala2154]

How about making it with two garbage cans, like the two tank septic systems?

[@terencescott3957]

So what happens to the solids in the garbage can?

[@terencescott3957]

Nevermind 😮

[@MrMEmEmEmEMEMEeeeeee]

It becomes "organic compost". Ancient Chinese used to build fancy free outhouses by roads to lure travelers in, they used the "nightsoil" as fertilizer for crops, nitrogen is valuable, as is urea.

[@bartritota9816]

do you put a cap on the outlet pipe or leave open like it is pictured in the trash barrel ?

[@theappalachianamerican8607]

Leave it open

[@jregamey]

Do you have to pump out solids once in a while? Or does the solids change to liquid brake down and go out as liquid

[@kjmovesyou9007]

Yes, I would like the answer to this as well.

[@nicholaspaque7838]

The solids eventually break down into very very small particulates. The water will carry it into the leach field.

[@caliguy1500]

Yes you have to remove solids after so long. That's why he said you will need to open it up and shovel it out at some point.

[@kr5289]

Of course this is not something you would have inspected, but I wander if they caught this would you be fined ky is pretty strict on septic systems

[@visamedic]

The barrel being the leach field......if you were to set those on top of course gravel I’m assuming it would take your grey water as well as your black water faster or at a higher rate. Also when you are done building it wouldn’t you “prime it” with water to a certain level before running any solids ?

[@IAMSAMTWO]

If the bottom of the barrels or holes in the trash can, does roots grow and cause problems?

[@multidimensionaltraveler806]

Is this legal to use next to a lake? If someone walks over the dirt covering that sysyem will i get poop on my sneakers?