What is better septic tank Astra or Topas? Comparison and review

Manufacturer of septic tanks Astra and Topas. Brand. Story.

We will start our comparison with the history of the Astra and Topas septic tank brands. The manufacturer of UNILOS Astra septic tanks is; septic tanks are produced at a plant in the Moscow region, after which they are delivered to the manufacturer’s warehouse in St. Petersburg. SBM-Baltika operates throughout Russia, so you can buy an Astra septic tank in any major city in Russia. The first septic tanks were constructed in 2002, since then they have been successfully sold throughout Russia and St. Petersburg. At their core, Astra septic tanks are the Russian analogue of Topas septic tanks, adapted for the Russian market. The manufacturer of septic tanks is Topas.
The first Topas septic tanks were invented in 1995 by Czech engineer Jan Topal; in 2000, Topas septic tanks began to be sold in Russia. Septic tank Topas separated from its creator, Jan Topal, and is now an independent product. Astra and Topas are two of the strongest brands on the Russian market in the field of autonomous suburban sewerage; they have their own pros and cons, which we will analyze in detail.

What do Astra and Topas septic tanks have in common?

Let's start the comparison by describing what the Astra and Topas septic tanks have in common. Both of these septic tanks are similar to each other, since one is made on the basis of the other. We will carry out further comparisons based on the two most popular septic tanks - Astra 5 and Topas 5. The body of these septic tanks is a parallelepiped. The weight of septic tanks is comparable (220 kg for Astra and 230 kg for Topas). The principle of operation is also similar: when wastewater does not enter the station, water ferments in a circle in 4 chambers; when wastewater enters the septic tank, clean water is drained from the finishing chamber. The degree of purification in septic tanks is comparable, both according to the manufacturer’s statements (up to 98%) and according to our experience - the water is clear and odorless.

What are the advantages of both systems?

• The quality of wastewater treatment by Topas stations and their analogues of the same type is at the level of 96-98%. Consequently, there are practically no problems with discharging treated wastewater into natural bodies of water or into folds of relief.
• There is a complete absence of unpleasant odors, process noise, and the possibility of operating the systems in winter.
• Treated wastewater in the status of process water can be used for watering lawn grass and other household needs.
• Silt sediment is a complete fertilizer that can be used as a component of complex plant nutrition.

Both stations have no significant installation restrictions based on soil type, are characterized by excellent corrosion resistance, economical energy consumption, and do not require complex maintenance.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth mentioning that the systems reach operating mode 14 days after the introduction of strains of processing bacteria. The performance of activated sludge is significantly reduced with an increased content of chlorine and other caustic and disinfecting materials in the wastewater.

In addition, it is not recommended to dispose of vegetable and fruit peelings, as well as insoluble waste, into the sewer.

Differences between Astra and Topas septic tanks. Advantages and disadvantages.

Compressor of Astra and Topas. Solenoid valve.

The main difference between the Astra septic tank and Topas is that the Astra septic tank has 1 compressor and solenoid valve, while the Topas septic tank has 2 compressors that operate alternately.
It also released a septic tank - an analogue of the Astra septic tank, Topas-S. Topas-S also has 1 compressor and solenoid valve. In the Astra septic tank, the compressor operates on a constant basis, the solenoid valve operates in two modes, forward and reverse. If you have voltage surges on your site (5% of sites have voltage surges), then you need to install a voltage stabilizer for the septic tank (its cost is 3,000 - 5,000 rubles). The same applies to the Topas-S septic tank.

The classic Topas septic tank has 2 compressors that operate alternately. First the first compressor works, then the second and so on. Frequent switching on and off of compressors greatly affects their service life; they wear out faster.

The Astra septic tank has a compressor from Secoh (Japan) and Thomas (Germany), while the Topas and Topas-S septic tanks have AirMac compressors (Taiwan). Of course, the service life of Japanese and German compressors is longer than that of their Taiwanese counterpart, since the quality of assembly and components is better and the operating mode is more gentle.

Price of septic tanks Astra and Topas. Cost comparison.

One of the main advantages of the Astra septic tank over the Topas septic tank is the price.
If we compare the difference in the cost of the Astra 5 (104,000 rubles) and Topas 5 (101,070 rubles) septic tank, then it is almost 25,000 rubles, which is 1/4 of the cost of the entire septic tank! Agree, the money is not small; for this cost you can carry out a full turnkey installation of a septic tank. Moreover, the stations have the same operating principle and the same result (the degree of sewage treatment is 98%). So why pay more for the same thing? Obviously, an additional compressor does not cost 25,000 rubles. If we compare the cost of the Astra 5 (104,000 rubles) and Topas-S 5 (86,670 rubles) septic tank, where the difference is about 10,000 rubles, then the question also arises, why pay more? Moreover, the water purification technology with 1 compressor and solenoid valve appeared in Astra septic tanks much earlier than in Topas-S septic tanks.

If we talk about comparing the cost of Astra and Topas septic tanks, then Astra septic tanks have a clear advantage.

Model range of septic tanks Astra and Topas

The Astra septic tank model range begins with a model designed for 3 people. Septic tank Astra 3 is bought by those families who live in a dacha consisting of 2-3 people, and this is 30% of all septic tanks that are bought in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region (the remaining 70% are septic tanks designed for 4, 5 -ty and 8 people). The model range of Topas and Topas-S septic tanks begins with a model designed for 4 people - Topas-S 4. If 2-3 people live in a house, then it is not advisable for such a family to buy a septic tank designed for 4 people. Therefore, in this situation, there is only one choice: the Astra 3 septic tank. Therefore, in terms of the model range, the Astra septic tank has a clear advantage.

Price

How much does a septic tank cost?
A deep cleaning septic tank is not a cheap pleasure, but it is the best option if your home is not connected to a central sewer system. Compared to a regular storage pit, you will still win in the long run.

All the brands presented in our article are Russian, but with almost identical characteristics, the difference in price can reach 50 thousand rubles. The cheapest option is offered by Eurolos. Its unit will cost 85 thousand. A tank from Unilos Astra costs a little more, 87 thousand or so. Biodeck will cost even more, approximately 95 thousand. And the most expensive options are septic tanks from Topas and Tver. The first costs about 115 thousand, and the second 130 thousand rubles.

Moreover, this price is not final. In addition, the services of installers will also be required. Most brands do the installation themselves. In this case, you receive a warranty and service for a certain period. Thus, the Tver company promises to take care of the septic tank for two years, which partially offsets the price tag. In addition, a horizontal unit is easier to install. There is no need to dig a deep hole, which means the cost of installation work will be lower.

Ratings

Eurolos: 5.0, Unilos Astra: 5.0, BioDeka: 5.0, TOPAS: 4.0, Tver: 4.0

Comparison of septic tanks Astra and Topas, summing up

Septic tanks Astra and Topas are identical, and in many ways repeat each other, with the exception of a few points.
The Astra and Topas-S septic tanks have 1 compressor and solenoid valve, and the Topas septic tanks have 2 compressors. This has its pros and cons, which were described above. In terms of price and choice of model range, the Astra septic tank has a clear advantage. If you want a septic tank like your neighbor’s, then buy an Astra or Topas septic tank (in 70% of cases, these are the septic tanks that are installed on suburban areas), depending on what your neighbors have and whether they are happy. If you just want a good septic tank and don’t want to overpay, but at the same time get the best quality sewage treatment, then this is definitely Astra septic tanks.

This article is constantly updated and added to; we monitor current changes in both the design of septic tanks and pricing policy!

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Comparison of septic tanks Astra and BioDeka

4 rules for choosing a septic tank for your home

Work of septic tank Astra, Topas in winter

Power consumption

How much electricity does a septic tank consume per day?
Deep cleaning septic tanks require electricity. It powers pumps, compressors, and in some cases other life support systems. The consumption is constant, that is, even if the septic tank is not used, it still works, which means it is powered by the network. It is very important here that the system is economical and at the end of the month you do not see huge amounts in your payment.

It is worth noting that all modern manufacturers are trying to reduce energy consumption as much as possible, but there is still a difference. The best option in terms of savings is a Tver septic tank. During the day it reels in only 1.2 kilowatts. Unilos Astra will take a little more - 1.33 kW. Eurolos and Topas can be classified in the middle category. They set this value at 1.5 kW. And the most voracious is Biodeka - 1.6 kilowatts per day. However, the difference in values, as you can see, is not significant.

Ratings

Tver: 5.0, Unilos Astra: 5.0, Eurolos: 4.0, TOPAS: 4.0, BioDeka: 3.0

Installation differences

Both septic tanks can be installed in difficult geological conditions - with the predominance of soils with a low level of water permeability (clay) on the site and the proximity of groundwater.

This is achieved due to the fact that purified water can be discharged from storage tanks, forcibly, using pumping equipment.

In addition, both options have several modifications that allow the installation of sewer supply pipelines at different depths:

• The Topas septic tank is offered in basic and long versions - with the incoming pipe located at a level of 40-80 or 80-140 cm from the surface (along the lower edge of the pipe);
• Unilos Astra stations are available in standard, midi and long versions, for which the depth of the sewer pipe is 60 or less, 60-90 and 90-120 cm from the ground surface, respectively.

Principle of operation

Both models use a single cleaning method, the process proceeds as follows:

• The wastewater settles in the receiving chamber, freeing itself from the largest and non-degradable inclusions.
• Once in the aeration tank, the liquid undergoes biological treatment under conditions of forced air supply. Thanks to the supply of oxygen and active mixing of the liquid, cleaning occurs as quickly and completely as possible.
• Next, the liquid settles again, at which time activated sludge particles precipitate.

Positive features of models

The use of both described models has the following advantages:

Negative points

There are also negative features in using the described treatment plants:

• both septic tanks are energy-dependent;
• models require regular maintenance - cleaning should be done quarterly.

Performance

One of the most important characteristics of a septic tank is the performance of the installation. If you select this parameter incorrectly, the station will not be able to operate efficiently.

In private construction, as a rule, low-capacity stations are used. The Astra line of models includes septic tanks designed to serve facilities with 3, 5, 8, 10 or more users.

Until recently, the least productive station of the Topas brand was an installation for serving five users. However, since there is a great demand for low-performance stations, the company has launched a more compact installation - Topas 4, which is suitable for servicing a house with 3-4 people.

Thus, septic tanks of both brands are presented in a wide range of performance and for any facility you can choose an installation that is ideally suited in terms of performance.

Operating rules

The rules for using and servicing septic tanks of both brands are almost identical. It is prohibited to discharge into septic tanks:

• items that cannot be recycled - fabrics, polymers, diapers, etc.;
• sharp objects - glass fragments, wire scraps;
• caustic substances – solvents, acids, alkalis;
• substances that can cause the death of bacteria - solutions of bleach, potassium permanganate, antibacterial drugs;
• cleaning mushrooms, vegetables, food debris, that is, something that can provoke the growth of mold fungi.

Salvo release

During operation, it is strictly forbidden to exceed the volume of the maximum salvo discharge. This indicator differs for models of different performance. So, for a Topas septic tank with a capacity of 1 cubic meter per day, this figure is 220 liters, and for an Astra installation of the same capacity - 250 liters.

However, in septic tanks with a capacity of 1.6 cubic meters per day, the situation is the opposite. The Topas of this performance has a maximum salvo discharge volume of 90 liters more than the Astra with the same performance characteristics.

So, it is impossible to say unambiguously which model of the Topas or Unilos Astra deep biological treatment station is the best. Both septic tanks have their advantages, but they are not without their disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing, it is worth taking into account the specific conditions in which you plan to operate the purchased station.