Construct Tank Piping
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Off-Grid Septic System: My Secret to No More Sewer Bills!
What happens here
Construct the piping system for the industrial tote. This involves creating an inlet and an outlet. For the inlet, use a 3-inch PVC cleanout connected to a 90-degree elbow, allowing the pipe to drop about 1 foot into the tank. For the outlet, use a 4-way PVC tee fitting. Connect one end of the tee to an 18-inch drop pipe that extends into the tank (this ensures only liquid effluent is discharged, as solids sink and scum floats). The other end of the tee is connected to a horizontal pipe that leads to the drain field. A 3-inch PVC cleanout cap is installed on the end of the outlet pipe for future access. The entire assembly is secured to the metal cage of the tote using wooden 2x4 blocks, screws, and zip ties, and sealed with spray foam.
Goal: Assemble and secure the inlet and outlet pipes to the industrial tote.
Tools and materials
- 3-inch PVC 90-degree Elbow — Directing flow downwards into the tank for both inlet and outlet
- 3-inch PVC Cleanout — Inlet point and access for maintenance on the outlet
- 4-way PVC Tee Fitting — Creating the connection point for the outlet drop pipe and horizontal drain field pipe
- Industrial Tote with PVC Fittings — The main component of the septic tank being assembled
- Screws — Attaching wooden blocks to the tote's metal frame
- Wooden 2x4 Blocks — Providing support and anchoring the PVC pipe assembly to the metal cage of the tote
- Zip Ties — Securing the pipe assembly to the wooden blocks and metal frame
- Spray Foam Great Stuff — Sealing around the pipe penetrations in the tote to prevent leaks