No matter how much our souls are drawn to nature, suburban housing, and in terms of comfort, we still reach for the standards of city life - light, refrigerator, cold or hot water, shower/bath and, of course, a bathroom. For the dacha, the drainage problem was historically the very first, but it was probably the very last to solve it. Only in the last 20-30 years has it become possible to use a modern wastewater treatment system in conditions far from urban life. This useful function for solving delicate problems is performed by septic tanks - affordable treatment facilities for suburban housing. One of them, the Rostock model, attracts with its simplicity and low cost with good performance parameters. Let's consider it.
- 2 Strengths and weaknesses of the Rostock septic tank
- 3 The principle of operation of a septic tank (video)
- 4 Installing a Rostock septic tank with your own hands
- 5 Customer reviews about the septic tank Rostock
Septic tank "Rostok" - a simple solution to a difficult problem
In a short time, septic tanks have become popular devices and therefore have many different implementation options - from simple homemade ones, to industrial ones and... also simple ones.
This is the popular industrial septic tank “Rostock”. This is a two-chamber installation, in which the first chamber is intended for primary sedimentation and anaerobic processing, and the second serves as an additional filter that purifies water up to 80%. As a result of the action of anaerobic bacteria at the first stage of purification, solid components form a sludge-like sediment , which settles to the bottom. The clarified liquid rises upward from the wastewater entering the lower tank and passes through the filter layer of the sorption filter, 20 cm thick. Structurally, each chamber of the septic tank is a cylinder made of seamless plastic , which ensures high reliability and tightness.
The sorption filter of the septic tank consists of zeolite, which must be washed once a year with a solution of table salt. Water from the second chamber is either further purified in biofilters or discharged into a drainage well—in fact, a soil purification device. The efficiency of anaerobic processing can be increased by using a bioadditive. The solid sludge formed at the bottom of the first tank is removed once a year using a sewer truck.
The largest manufacturer of plastic products
One of the most popular today is the Rostock septic tank, produced by one of the largest companies producing polyethylene products. At the same time, the cost of the goods offered is an order of magnitude lower than their foreign analogues, and their quality is on par with them. Domestic production and head office are located in St. Petersburg, and representative offices and dealer network are located throughout Russia. Therefore, finding a suitable septic tank seller, as well as a workshop for warranty service in case of any problems, even in the most remote corner of our country, will not require much difficulty. The Rostock U series septic tank is one of the most popular domestically produced products for a country house.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Rostock septic tank
Like any good system, the Rostock septic tank has a line of devices of a single conceptual series. There are three known models of the Rostock line:
- “ Mini ” with a capacity of 250 l/day and a total volume of 1000 l, for 1-2 people;
- “ Dachny ”, 1500 l, for 3-4 people;
- “ Cottage ”, 3000 l, for 5-6 people.
From the most general characteristics it is clear that there is plenty to choose from for any need.
Accordingly, the price for any wallet is 25, 30 and 45 thousand rubles. The concept of building this septic tank was well developed at industrial treatment plants and, when implemented in household devices, has justified itself 100%. Positive qualities of the Rostock septic tank, which users note:
- The device’s one-piece design with stiffening ribs ensures tightness and strength - the service life of such a tank is at least 10 years;
- the special design of the overflow retains oil ;
- energy independence is especially important where there is no electricity in suburban conditions;
- the safety of the structure is confirmed by the results of operation and compliance with SanPIN requirements for water treatment;
- high degree of purification, especially when adding bioenzyme additives . Using a post-treatment system based on a drainage well, it is possible to obtain water purification up to 90−95%;
- the originality of the design lies in the presence of an incoming flow damper and protection against impact discharge of wastewater with a volume of more than 200 liters;
- energy independence , as complete freedom from the greatest benefit of civilization - electricity.
There are not that many disadvantages, but still:
- the need to use a sewer truck , which means additional costs;
- dependence on groundwater is annoying, you never know when it will work;
- installation price is at the same level as the price for a septic tank.
The lineup
There are four main models of septic tanks for sewerage:
- “Dachny”, designed to serve a family of two or three people. Its capacity is 1,500 liters, weight is 100 kilograms.
- “Mini”, designed for a small family of two people. The volume of such a device is 1,000 liters, and the weight is only 90 kilograms.
- “Countryside” is one of the most popular models, capable of serving four to five people. The working volume of the chamber is 2,400 liters, weight is 120 kilograms.
- “Cottage” is the most spacious septic tank for a family of five to six people. Its volume is 3,000 liters, weight is 190 kilograms.
In fact, owners can install any of the listed models on their own, without the use of special equipment. And only for cottage models a winch may be needed.
More detailed information can be found on the manufacturer’s official website located at https://www.ekopromgroup.ru/
Do-it-yourself installation of a Rostock septic tank
To install a Rostock septic tank on your site, you need to purchase a kit, deliver it to the site and study the instructions. Of course, you can order the installation to some craftsmen and they will do everything in the best possible way, but doing it yourself is cheaper and more interesting. So, let's build it step by step:
- Let's determine the installation location: SNiP requires that the distances from the drinking well be maintained - at least 30 m, from the road - 5 m, from trees - 5 m.
- The pit is dug with a margin of at least 0.3 m on each side - bedding will be poured here later.
- Trenches for the pipeline are dug with a slope of 2 cm and 1 linear meter.
- A bedding of crushed stone and sand is poured into the bottom of the pit , a concrete screed is made and the septic tank is secured with belts, ropes or reinforcement. Don’t hope that you don’t have groundwater right now—tomorrow something will be built at the other end of the village, and you’ll have more than enough to eat.
- After installing the route and all connections to the septic tank, the voids in the pit are filled with sand or sand-cement mixture . After backfilling is complete, we hide the traces of the septic tank under a layer of regular soil, sow flowers, and only remember about unloading the septic tank once a year.
- For post-treatment, it is best to install a drainage well - inexpensively, cheerfully and forever. In such a well, purified water is discharged into the ground through a drainage layer of sand and gravel.
The best characteristic of any technical device is the reviews of those who have already seen it in action. Only a few reviews from users of the Rostok septic tank convince us that a delicate problem at the dacha can be solved with its help in the best possible way.
How the system works
By its nature, Rostok is a kind of filter for water purification, which makes it suitable for technical use, watering plants, or simply throwing it into the ground without dire consequences for the environment. The manufacturer guarantees purification up to 98%.
The system works according to the following scheme:
- Water with the waste it contains enters the first tank of the septic tank.
- It separates liquid from sludge by settling under the influence of gravity.
- The sludge remains in the first chamber, the liquid moves on.
- Entering the second compartment, the water passes through a mesh filter and then through a layer of ziolite. Here the water is purified by 90%.
- The wastewater then enters biofilters, where it undergoes further treatment before being discharged into the soil or roadside ditch.
- The final stage is the collection of purified water in a designated place.
Customer reviews about the Rostock septic tank
When I needed to install a sewer system at my dacha, I racked my brain for a long time - how? Friends advised us to install a Rostok dacha septic tank. I didn’t hesitate for long - the deadlines were running out. I installed it myself with friends - it’s not that difficult. Along the way, I had to figure out a lot, but what is the result - five years in operation there are no problems , I remember once a year and then not always. If you don’t have a treatment plant yet, then this is for you.
Alexander, 30 years old, Novosibirsk
In our dacha, electricity can’t even be called bad - you never know whether it will be there or not. But there should be a sewerage system, period. Who's stopping? Choose a septic tank “Rostock” - and you’ll win. It works, even if it’s pitch dark, and what you always need will work like clockwork. We installed this septic tank 6 years ago and have never regretted it . Very durable - there is not a single seam, we buried it - and there are no problems. But for me the main thing is non-volatile.
Sergey, 44 years old, Stavropol
We bought a dacha where a Rostock septic tank had been standing for 5 years. At first we were skeptical - nothing serious was visible anywhere, the sewage system was working - what else was needed. True, at first I was afraid of what was going on there, what it could threaten. The time has come, as the former owners instructed, they called a sewer man, they fiddled around and in half a day all the problems were solved. We've been using it for 2 years now - there's nothing to say about the septic tank. It serves unnoticed, but properly. Only a plus. Oleg Viktorovich, 62 years old, Moscow
I have a large family - in the summer there are always 3-4 people at the dacha, and even grandchildren. Installed on the advice of the ROSTOK-Cottage seller. Expensive, but not a penny wasted. With such a huge team, we don’t have any problems with sewerage. At first they were very wary and the polyethylene did not inspire confidence, and the design somehow didn’t quite fit into the understanding, but everything worked out, and then no one remembered anything.
I remember that all sorts of things of unknown purpose raised questions, but little by little everything fell into place. Although, in the end, they agreed with the advice of the specialists and finalized it - they completed the construction of a drainage well made of concrete rings. Now, it seems, it’s a complete set and no problems. Nikolai Antonovich, 55 years old, Belgorod
How to install?
The device must be located 5 meters from the house and other buildings. It is separated from the well or well by at least 20 meters (in case of an accident). The freezing point of the soil and the location of groundwater are also taken into account.
On clay soils there is no point in organizing a filtration field - the liquid will not be absorbed. In this case, it is better to give preference to a drain well. The water from it will be regularly pumped out by a pump and then removed outside the site. For example, merging into a ravine.
Selection options for a country house
There are also important selection criteria - the material of construction, the amount of drains and the type of soil with the groundwater level.
Materials
- Concrete. Durable option with self-assembly using formwork.
- Rings. Durable. Requires special equipment and sealing during assembly. How to make a septic tank from concrete rings.
- Brick construction. Sealing required. Difficult installation.
- Plastic containers. Lightweight, durable, but can be damaged by rodents. Destroyed at low temperatures.
- Metal. Sealed, durable. Subject to corrosion and needs protection.
- Fiberglass. Lightweight, durable, long lasting. Do not crack in frost.
Soil type and groundwater level
Soil parameters and groundwater levels also influence the choice. On soils that absorb water well and up to a groundwater level of more than 1 meter, it is better to install a sump with a drainage well.
And on soils with poor absorption capacity, a post-treatment system cannot be installed. And as an option, a septic tank or biological station is better. It is also worth doing if there is a large groundwater level.
Dimensions
The size of the septic tank is calculated from the amount of wastewater. It is generally accepted that there are 200 liters per person per day. And based on the standards, the capacity of the septic tank is calculated for the 3-day norm of each resident plus a 30% reserve.
From here another choice is made, for example, for wastewater less than 1 m3, a single-chamber septic tank is chosen. Less than 10 m3 - two-chamber, and if more than 10 m3 - then three-chamber. Homemade devices are calculated arbitrarily.
Installation recommendations
If the owners decide to improve their country house themselves, they will need to first familiarize themselves with the installation instructions. First of all, you need to choose a place to install a septic tank, taking into account sanitary standards, and prepare a pit at the chosen location.
At the bottom there is a cushion of sand and crushed stone. And if the water level at the construction site is high, then it is necessary to lay a reinforced concrete slab on top of the sand cushion and secure the septic tank body to it. Then you will need to connect communications to the septic tank - inlet and outlet pipes. After this, the pit is backfilled and the septic tank is insulated.
