1. Why is it necessary to bed
the tank with sand/gravel?
Placing bedding in the bottom of the hole makes it easier to
level the tank and gives more even support to the ribs in the bottom of the tank. It also keeps rocks or other
sharp objects from damaging the tank.
2. Why
must I fill the tank with water as it's being backfilled?
Filling the tank with water adds enough weight to keep the
tank from shifting during backfill. It also equalizes the pressure between the inside and outside of the tank,
which prevents any distortion.
3. Can
a septic tank be used for potable water?
No. The pigments used in the septic tank are not approved by
NSF for potable water.
4. Can
a cistern tank be used as a septic tank?
Yes. The cistern tanks and the septic tanks are made from the
same molds. The cisterns are natural in color (no pigment) and are about 25% thicker. The increased wall thickness
is required to withstand the stress of being constantly pumped empty.
5. How
do I get my manhole covers up to ground level when my tank is buried 24 inches below grade?
By using our manhole extensions. They are twelve inches high
and are stackable up to three high.
6. How
do I keep children from accidentally getting into the tank?
You need to purchase our tamper resistant screw assembly which
utilizes pin-in-head torx screws. The special driver is also provided.
7. Can
I use a ribbed septic tank or cistern above ground?
No. The ribs on these tanks are specifically designed to withstand
the stress from soil loading. Use of these tanks above ground could cause deformation of the tank. We recommend
using our more economical above ground storage tanks that are specifically designed for that purpose.
8. What
type of sealant can be used to seal the manhole covers?
There are three recommended sealants: silicone, butyl rubber
rope, and asphalt. Silicone is the easiest and most widely used. Silicone is the only sealant that should be used
for potable water (cisterns.)
