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Sewage treatment - Technology vs Worms?

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Started 12 years ago by mickhavill
Latest reply from tomthumb

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dymonite69
Member

Diver,

I read the thread. Several objections are mentioned later by another poster. I would imagine that any aerobic system with electrical pumps would have a similar vulnerability not unique to Biolytix. Note that the control box is located on top of the unit so the entire system would have to under water for it to short out. The main sump pump is a SUMO submersible pump that sits at the bottom of the tank.

It was pointed out that if the worms die, undigested solids may block the filtering mechanism and prevent water percolating to the bottom and being pumped out. I guess that regular inspection via the inspection hatch may alert you to problems earlier

Most of the parts of the Biolytix can be replaced - the submersible pump being most expensive. Someone mentioned $75/kg of worms from eco valley worms.

My biggest concern is if the electronics fail which automates when the sump needs to get emptied. I don't want to be doing this manually each day.

Posted Monday 24 Jan 2011 @ 1:22:03 am from IP #
Diver
Member

Hi Dymo,

I don't know the product so I cannot directly comment on its design or performance but the 'issues' noted on Whirlpool do not seem insurmountable. Water proofing the electronics for example should not be too hard to do.

People do speak highly of the system and hopefully the technology and I.P. can be bought by another Australian company, any relevant (if any) 'design issues' addressed and the system relaunched. It is always distressing to see an Australian company with good base technology and the customers who have supported that technology hit a major bump in the road.

Hopefully some positive information will come forward that will put all owners minds at ease.

Posted Monday 24 Jan 2011 @ 2:02:53 am from IP #
Garry
Member

Had not heard that Biolytix had gone bankrupt. Just installed their system last year and whilst working properly, have not had any feed back from any legal firm. Wonder what gives with the annual maintenance contract I just paid for last month!!
Garry

Posted Monday 24 Jan 2011 @ 8:42:41 am from IP #
Garry
Member

Here is the info in the Qld paper for others that have biolytix
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/01/22/creditors-hit-by-waste-firm-loss/

Posted Monday 24 Jan 2011 @ 8:59:38 am from IP #
dymonite69
Member

Expect that it won't return. Same as mine.

Posted Monday 24 Jan 2011 @ 10:57:33 am from IP #
Akazia
Member

dymonite69, I thought the same about my Biolytix system till I had a good look at how it works, and I would not be too concerned about the electronics that control the pump out process in it, as it doesn't really have any circuit boards or "electronics" as such. It has a simple float switch that triggers the pump to start up and pump out when the water gets to a certain level. If the water does not pump out there is also a secondary float higher up that triggers the alarm to tell you there is an issue, cheers.

Posted Monday 24 Jan 2011 @ 11:29:39 pm from IP #
dymonite69
Member

Ahh. Simplicity itself. A reasonably handy person probably could construct an entire system themselves.

Posted Tuesday 25 Jan 2011 @ 12:24:53 am from IP #
dennicks
Member

I thought that the Biolyix system was good until they went into liquidation and I lost my deposit! A friend in the industry criticised their system saying that is was a glorified worm farm and the filters were just onion bags which would eventually fill up with sediments and need to be removed and replaced and would be very heavy. The system does not sterilize the sewage and is only for sub soil irrigation where it is not readily available to plants that deep. He also thought that there was a problem with the filter which would clog up and the pump holding tank was not big enough and therefore the pump would only pump out a little amount, of which a lot of effluent would be still in the pipe if you had a long run of piping which would run back down to the tank filling the tank and triggering the pump to pump out again on short cycles. A lot of this is overcome with gravity feed dispersal fields. I am now looking into aerated waste treatment systems that most people use. They have improved lately and only need a small aerator pump, have bigger holding tanks and treat the water to above soil dispersal methods. Ultra Clear seems to be a well engineered system, but do your research.

Posted Monday 21 Mar 2011 @ 1:56:22 am from IP #
noelle
Member

Just in case anyone is thinking they might go with a talex system I would like to agree with everything the previous writer slees 26 says . The mosquitos are unbelievable I have informed the public health department no doubt they will do nothing . The pump runs all the time a considerable cost in power , Talex are unable to tell you the running costs per year we estimate about $1500 a year thats not counting the service fee 4 times a year $275 and about 4 calls out a year because it malfunctions, especially after brown outs and black outs, the reason we chose this system is because we wanted to have our house approved by council and that was the only system they would approve quickly at the time. we have also had to have the system pumped out in under 2 years as it wasn't working . a well maintained septic system works much better in my opinion . The other thing no one has mentioned is you have to lay 100 of meters of poison infused pipes under ground and no animal can graze on it and no trees can benefit by it as the roots will interfere with the dissipation of treated water the pipes are poisoned to stop the grass roots growing in to them . I looked at retrofitting the tanks with a biolitic system but it wasn't possible . I also lived in a suburb where when there was flooding the systems which were then in plastic tanks popped out of the ground when the water table rose flooding the suburb with sewerage . I hate talex

Posted Monday 21 Mar 2011 @ 2:53:31 am from IP #
Greg
Member

Wow - I've gone for one of the approved reed bed systems. Not installed yet but chosen for a number of reasons, especially - no pumps required, all gravity flow. Maintenance includes things like thinning the reeds occasionally. Think I can handle that. First saw the system on a Solar House Day visit. They were running a vertical sandbed filter to save space. My personal opinion is that everyone should read "Humanure". It used to be a free pdf. I also think worms and plants do a better job than people with pumps and chlorine.

Posted Tuesday 22 Mar 2011 @ 5:48:54 am from IP #
chase
Member

hey noelle, it seems that you don't no shit excuse my expression. But taylex actually presents its running cost in there brochure unlike most other companies. It also unlike its competitors shows its testing results.(probably because they are good). And if the system needed pumping out after 2 years that has nothing to do with the actuall system but more of what you are putting into it. And as far as what your irrigation system is if you don't like it take it up with your soil engineer because they designed it. Taylex is a tank manufacturer and does not decide how your irrigation area should be designed. And on that note they are a concrete treatment plant not a plastic one and never have been. And I wish you retro fitted it into a bioshitlyx because now you be down a heap of money like alot of other people. well it seems you don't know alot about this so prob don't reply. you look like a fool

Posted Monday 9 May 2011 @ 4:37:35 am from IP #
greenman
Member

We have an A&A Worm Farm system which has worked OK so far, however I can't recommend this company.
The original installation was by A&A rushed and installers seemed more concerned with catching their flight back to Melbourne than ensuring a professional installation.
Pumps used in the system only have a one year warranty – when they do need replacing A&A will charge you $533 for the job – the same pumps (Orange SP-100) can be sourced from pump suppliers fully delivered for $280 and they are not hard to install yourself.
When one of the pumps did fail, the alarm failed to signal a problem because the fuse turned off the whole circuit i.e. pumps and alarm.
Further there is no evidence that A&A have provided us with the two free scheduled system services in the first two years.
In my view A&A have absolutely no concept of consumer satisfaction and are more focused on minimum service for maximum dollar.

Posted Monday 16 May 2011 @ 10:29:53 am from IP #
Bushwalker
Member

One of the things that is common with these type of treatment plants is that they are under serviced. As a result, the systems can get way out of normal operating parameters before anyone notices.

This comes as a bit of a surprise when you factor in that the owner usually avoids the substantial costs paid by other residents with sewage connections.

So before we start blaming the design, the service people, the advertising etc, we should first consider if we have paid enough and regularly enough to keep the plant and irrigation system in tip top condition. I'm sure there are problems with all of these plants one way or another, don't get me wrong. Just don't skimp on the maintenance, its false economy.

Posted Wednesday 21 Dec 2011 @ 6:54:49 am from IP #
Bago88
Member

[Post deleted by request of post author]

Posted Friday 23 Dec 2011 @ 4:14:41 am from IP #
yabbietol
Member

I am sorry to hear about AA. I own a Dowmus system, which I have had for 11 years, they went broke about 8 years ago then the people started Biolytic and then went broke again. Is there a pattern here?
My Dowmus has several issues including bugs and fan failure. I do my own maintenance and replace my main fan every two years as a form of preventive maintenance, at a cost of about $30 from Jaycar (12V computer fan). It is cheap peace of mind.
The Dowmus like the Biolytic was a good idea badly implemented. The companies took shortcuts, such as in my Dowmus - no backup power for fans in blackouts, which filled the house with bad smells. I have fixed this with a solar panel, regulator and battery which also means my system does not use any mains power.
This website has some useful info for Dowmus and Biolytic users
http://dowmus.hinternet.com.au/
I was looking at AA as a possible replacement for my Dowmus, but thanks for the heads up they sound just as bad as Dowmus and Biolytic (which I did consider as a Dowmus replacement, but was worried as they were the Dowmus people recycled). It sounds like AA is also a good idea badly implemented.

Posted Friday 23 Dec 2011 @ 5:59:36 am from IP #
Bago88
Member

[Post deleted by request of post author]

Posted Friday 23 Dec 2011 @ 9:03:36 pm from IP #
Bushwalker
Member

Bago88, where is the filter in the system? I can only guess it is on the irrigation side?

Sounds like it is seriously under spec, and also needs some sort of auto cleaning capability.

My comments re servicing etc are one of those "if the cap fits" scenarios - sounds like it doesn't apply to you.

Hope they get it sorted soon!

Posted Friday 23 Dec 2011 @ 11:01:34 pm from IP #
kknight41
Member

Interesting to read the comments about A & A Worm Waste Systems as we have encountered problems with the system alarming over the past 2 weeks along with the Shire health inspector demanding we have to get it bumped out every 2 years which we were told we would never have to do.

I would not recommend from mainly a backup a service point of view the company at all. Don’t go near the product!!

I would have to write several pages about their customer service skills which are nonexistent being nice to them.

I don’t believe they ever did any of the warranty service calls they were meant to do and have been told by them they don’t do any unpaid service calls after the first 2 years. I clearly says on their web site in Q&A section that they provide a service call ever two years at no cost. Once they get the final payment they don’t want to come near you. I think the product is good but totally let down by very poor after sales service.

Our plumber has come out today armed with a effluent pump but didn’t need one as there was a nectarine pip stuck in the pump inlet.

Good luck Bago88

Posted Friday 30 Dec 2011 @ 2:22:45 am from IP #
Sonja
Member

Hi the
I too have a problem with the service of A&A. In the beginning with the establishment of the wormfarm, rushed because it was raining. The boss said they were going to come back to clean it up, never did. Then for at least 6 months a not properly functioning wormfarm with all the smells associated with it. Later on a leak in the subirrigation. Years no problems then now two leaks, same spot as before and with the sandfilter. Since the 5th of September they are coming out to fix the problem NOT! They have been twice to come and have a look instead of fixing it.
Wormfarm idea is great, after service hopeless, who else can I call to get it fixed. Any ideas?

Posted Monday 16 Jan 2012 @ 6:14:53 am from IP #
Bago88
Member

[Post deleted by request of post author]

Posted Monday 16 Jan 2012 @ 7:10:34 am from IP #
wormfarm blues
Member

Bago I cant see that our A&A system has any filter at all - it's not mentioned in the parts list - our installation must be quite different from yours?? Ours seems to just drip through the wormbed, and when 100L gathers in the bottom a ball float activates the pump. THe pump is supposed to pump the effluent out to the distribution pit in the transpiration mound - but it isn't getting that far. So effluent breaks out in various places around the transpiration mound.

Posted Wednesday 18 Jan 2012 @ 10:24:13 am from IP #
Bago88
Member

[Post deleted by request of post author]

Posted Thursday 19 Jan 2012 @ 6:38:51 am from IP #
Bago88
Member

[Post deleted by request of post author]

Posted Thursday 19 Jan 2012 @ 11:46:27 pm from IP #
Escape3245
Member

I'm really concerned with these comments. We were about to order a new system from A&A. Given these issues what alternatives would people recommend i look at given Biolytix is now gone (my original choice)?

Thanks

Posted Friday 27 Jan 2012 @ 10:38:55 pm from IP #
Alison Gould
Member

Well - just to balance it out, our experience with A&A has been nothing short of amazing. Small family company who have helped us out all the way through planning and post-installation support, including calm on-phone advice during flooding.

It's almost like the comments above are about a different company - I'm having trouble reconciling them with the people we have dealt with.

I think it's like anything - some people have bad experiences with companies, other good - on the internet only the people who have bad experiences seem to seek each other out and post.

I'm not defending the way they appear to have treated other people in other circumstances, just wanted to attempt to portray the point of view of the silent 80% (or 50%, or 99%...).

Posted Saturday 28 Jan 2012 @ 9:36:40 am from IP #
Bushwalker
Member

Might depend where you are.

I contacted them from SA and they were totally offhand. Left me thinking they didn't want the business.

Perhaps you're part of the silent 10%?

Posted Saturday 28 Jan 2012 @ 10:18:05 am from IP #
Warnsey
Member

I too have an A&A and I have to say that on a whole I am very happy with the system. We had a few hiccups with one of their installers but the guy who owns the company came and did the system and did a great job.

Posted Saturday 28 Jan 2012 @ 8:07:07 pm from IP #
Escape3245
Member

Thanks for the feedback, good to hear some positive experiences. Could I ask what steps people would recommend to minimise any potential problems now that some of you have the benefit of hindsight - is there anything specific you would do to counteract the problems you have experienced (aside from trying another system).

Posted Saturday 28 Jan 2012 @ 10:53:26 pm from IP #
winentucker
Member

Hi All
Having read all of the above I wonder why more folks haven't looked at the Rota Loo waterless waste system. I am in a low rainfall no scheme water area where I will build later this year and need all the water I can get. This system has been around for 20 or more years - it is so simple even I can understand it.

The company is based in Vic but has distributors etc in most states. I recommend a look at their website;
rotaloo.com
cheers
Jeff

Posted Monday 30 Jan 2012 @ 8:12:22 am from IP #
wormfarm blues
Member

Escape245 -

I have heard there is a new Wormfarm company in the market in the last few months, but I dont know its name.

With whatever installation you pick, I would recommend you keep a close eye and camera on the entire installation job.

Ask for technical and engineering drawings up front before buying, and make sure your Local authority gets copies of those too. Ask for a detailed (preferably written) description of how the effluent distribution system works.

If you have a pumped system, ensure the system is load tested before the installer leaves the property. I.e. however much water it takes to make the pump engage, put that in the tank, wait for the pump to come on, and if you have inspection points make sure the effluent is going where it is supposed to. It is a very good idea to have inspection points in the system and to inspect these regularly.

If the company you choose is hesitant to provide information, listen to your instincts and don't engage them.

Posted Tuesday 31 Jan 2012 @ 1:52:06 am from IP #

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