Review of the Flotenk septic tank: characteristics, principle of operation, installation + analysis of modifications

In search of a suitable option for autonomous sewerage, owners of private houses and summer cottages often choose the Flotenk septic tank.

This is a reliable and convenient device that has a fairly reasonable price. In addition, such a septic tank does not require constant access to electricity to operate.

Design and principle of operation

JSC Flotenk supplies the CIS market with a wide range of systems for organizing autonomous sewerage with its own treatment facility. The range includes energy-dependent and independent equipment for solving various problems of private household owners.

Externally, the Flotenk septic system is a cylindrical container installed horizontally or vertically. Inside, the cavity of the device is divided into two or three sections of different sizes.

To move wastewater between different sections of the septic tank, special overflow holes are provided in the partitions.

The first compartment is the largest and acts as a sump. All wastewater coming from the house is first collected here.

The wastewater gradually accumulates and settles. The solid component of wastewater, as well as contents that cannot be processed by microorganisms, accumulates at the bottom.

A fatty film forms on the surface from those wastes that are lighter than water. During the accumulation of primary wastewater, the volume of the contents of the sump increases and the liquid level rises. Over time, it reaches the overflow hole, through which the liquid, partially purified during settling, enters the second compartment of the septic tank.

The diagram shows the structure of the Flotenk septic tank, consisting of three chambers of different sizes. In the first, wastewater is settled, and in the other two, it is actively purified (+)

Here microorganisms continue to work on treating wastewater, already freed from solid fractions.As the volume of wastewater in the second section of the septic tank increases, the liquid level rises again and reaches the overflow hole leading to the third section.

Here, the wastewater is finally clarified to a degree that is considered acceptable for the resulting liquid to be transferred into the surrounding soil. To remove liquid treated wastewater from a septic tank, it is necessary to create a special filtration field in the soil.

This diagram allows you to get an idea of ​​the operating principles of the Flotenk brand septic tank. Wastewater from domestic premises enters the device, undergoes biological treatment and is discharged to the filtration field (+)

To do this, a series of trenches or a pit are made at a distance from the septic tank, at the bottom of which a sand and gravel filter is installed. It includes layers of sand, crushed stone and gravel. First, a layer of filtering gravel-sand backfill is laid in the trenches, on top of which a system of perforated pipes is placed - drains.

The drainage sewer system is wrapped in geotextile and backfilled. Each branch of the filtration field is equipped with its own ventilation riser to remove the methane generated during wastewater processing.

Additional purification using such a filter will make the resulting wastewater completely safe for the environment. Moreover, the microorganisms contained in the soil aeration zone also continue the process of processing the remaining substances received along with wastewater.

A filtration field for ground tertiary treatment can only be installed in permeable soils: sand, gavia, pebble, crushed stone deposits - in rocks capable of absorbing and passing processed wastewater. In addition, there must be at least a meter between the groundwater level at the construction site and the bottom of the drainage system

At the top, each section of the Flotenk septic tank has an operational opening that provides constant access to the device. This provides conditions for the successful functioning of aerobic bacteria, and also allows gases obtained during the biological processing of wastewater to be removed from the container.

Of course, solid waste will gradually accumulate in the sump. A significant part of them will turn into neutral sludge. The more waste, the less capacity of the septic tank, i.e. its performance. The first compartment of the septic tank should be periodically cleaned using a suction pump.

Advantages and disadvantages

The simple design and principle of operation guarantee almost complete absence of breakdowns during operation of the Flotenk septic tank. The body of the device has no seams, which provides increased resistance to both internal and external pressure.

Flotenk septic tanks are made from modern polymer materials using seamless technology, which provides the device with a high degree of resistance to stress

The inside surface of the septic tank is made as smooth as possible. The absence of roughness makes the septic tank dirt-repellent, which allows less effort to be spent on cleaning it when removing silt deposits and unprocessed waste.

The overflow pipes inside the septic tank are also made at a high quality level. They are equipped with reliable rubber gaskets that provide excellent tightness. The contents of the various sections of the septic tank do not mix, which increases the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment.

After installation, both the Flotenk septic tank and the filtration field for it are underground; only three service hatches and ventilation pipes will remain on the surface, which will not adversely affect the condition of the surrounding landscape

One of the main advantages of Flotenok, which higher-class VOCs cannot boast of, is its energy independence. Even a complete power outage in the house will not affect the operation of the septic tank in any way, since none of its components require power. As a result, its maintenance costs are minimal.

Simple installation is another significant advantage of Flotenk septic tanks. All work on installing and connecting a septic tank can be done independently or with the help of a couple of good friends. Minimal construction skills and strict adherence to instructions will reliably protect against mistakes.

The disadvantage of the Flotenk septic tank is the low physical weight of the device. This is convenient during transportation and installation of the device, but not during its operation. Under the influence of groundwater during a spring flood or when the soil freezes in winter, a lightweight structure that is not filled with drainage can simply be pushed to the surface.

Fixing this problem is relatively easy. To do this, when installing a septic tank, a solid concrete base is installed at the bottom of the pit. The septic tank is installed on this base and attached to it with a reliable cable.

Due to its low physical weight, the Flotenk septic tank is easy to transport, but during installation it should be secured to a concrete base to prevent floating

Another problem is the quality of wastewater treatment. Local treatment stations, in which wastewater is processed, allow it to be decomposed into water and neutral sludge with a purification degree of 96-98%.In this case, the resulting water can be used for technical needs, for example, for watering plants on the site.

The silty accumulations in such VOCs serve as useful fertilizers. But the Flotenk, which is simple in design and operating principle, cannot provide such a high level of cleaning. Therefore, when installing it, you will need to create and attach another structure to the septic tank - an absorption well or filtration field, to which water will be discharged for final purification.

The installation of a septic tank, characterized by its lightweight body, is carried out using an anchoring system. To do this, when pouring a concrete slab, loops are placed in it, to which the septic tank will then be attached with belts

How to choose the right model?

The range of Flotenk septic tanks is quite extensive, which allows you to choose a device suitable for servicing a specific home, family or even a group of houses. Septic tanks are marked with the letters STA, next to which there are numbers.

The higher the number, the higher the volume and productivity of the septic tank:

• Flotenk STA 1.5 processes 500 liters of wastewater per day;
• Flotenk STA 2 processes 700 liters of wastewater per day;
• Flotenk STA 3 processes 1000 liters of wastewater per day;
• Flotenk STA 4 processes 1300 liters of wastewater per day;
• Flotenk STA 5 processes 1,700 liters of wastewater per day;
• Flotenk STA 6 processes 2000 liters of wastewater per day;
• Flotenk STA 10 processes 3,300 liters of wastewater per day.

In addition to performance, individual models of Flotenk septic tanks differ in size, volume and, of course, price.

The cost of the device increases depending on its performance. The numbers start at about 30 thousand rubles for the Flotenk STA 1.5 model, and for the Flotenk STA 5 model you will already have to pay 90 thousand rubles.

Flotenk septic tanks have a fairly wide range of models, which allows you to choose the right device for almost any home, even for a small hotel

Of course, these numbers may vary depending on region, supply and demand, and other factors. It is better to find out the specific price directly from the supplier.

When choosing a suitable “Flotenk” septic tank model, you should definitely take into account its volume and dimensions, which can be:

• 1500 l, 2100 mm in length and 1000 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 1.5 model;
• 2000 l, 2700 mm in length and 1000 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 2 model;
• 3000 l, 2900 mm in length and 1200 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 3 model;
• 3000 l, 3900 mm in length and 1000 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 3 model;
• 4000 l, 3800 mm in length and 1200 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 4 model;
• 5000 l, 2700 mm in length and 1600 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 5 model;
• 6000 l, 3200 mm in length and 1600 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 6 model;
• 10000 l, 5200 mm in length and 1600 mm in diameter for the Flotenk STA 10 model.

It should be noted that the Flotenk STA 3 model comes in two dimensions with the same volume and performance. The buyer can choose a model that is slightly shorter and larger in diameter or a longer and narrower device. The length and diameter of the container affect the size and configuration of the pit that will be needed to install the septic tank.

The most expensive and productive septic tank model from the Flotenk STA 10 brand is so spacious that it can be used to service several houses or even a small cottage community at once. Such a device is also suitable for a large cottage with a large number of residents, for example, for servicing a private hotel or mini-hotel.

This table allows you to study the main parameters of Flotenk septic tanks in order to select the appropriate device taking into account the needs of a particular home

“Flotenk” septic tanks are selected depending on the number of people permanently living in the house. It is believed that for a small summer cottage or a family of three, the ideal choice would be the minimally efficient option - Flotenk STA 1.5.

For four to five people, the Flotenk STA 2 model is suitable. For a family of six people, it is recommended to use the Flotenk STA 3, and the Flotenk STA 4 model is more suitable for a house where there are always eight residents. The Flotenk STA 5 modification is designed for use in a house inhabited by ten people. But Flotenk STA 10 can serve a building with 17 permanent residents.

When choosing a suitable model, you can use simple calculations. You should multiply the estimated number of residents by 600 liters and focus on the resulting volume. It makes no sense to take a large-volume septic system as if “in reserve” if there is no plan for a sharp increase in the number of residents in the house in the near future.

The Flotenk septic tank is a simple and reliable device that allows you to provide private households with an effective and very easy-to-maintain autonomous sewage system

The larger the septic tank, the higher the costs of its installation, and the more difficult it is to maintain. If it turns out later that the container is a little “small”, you will just have to order a suction pump to clean it a little more often. Considering that the Flotenk septic tank usually needs to be cleaned approximately once every one and a half to three years, this will not cause any big problems.

Sometimes a decision is made to install not one, but two small septic tanks on a site, for example, for a house and separately for a bathhouse. Such a solution can have a positive impact on the quality of biological wastewater treatment, but will require additional costs. Purchase of two septic tanks with a volume of 1.5 cubic meters. m will cost about one and a half times more than buying one device with a volume of 3 cubic meters.

The most popular is the Flotenk STA 3 model, which holds 3000 liters of waste. It is optimal in terms of volume and price ratio. Its cost is four times lower than the high-performance version Flotenk STA 10.

Features of installation of septic tanks “Flotenk”

As noted earlier, installation of the Flotenk septic tank is relatively simple.

And yet, to properly install the device you will have to do a lot of operations:

1. Dig a trench for the sewer pipe leading to the septic tank from the house.
2. Dig a pit for the septic tank.
3. Concreting the bottom.
4. Lower the container into the pit and attach it to the base.
5. Carry out work on thermal insulation of the septic tank.
6. Connect the septic tank to the house sewer system.
7. Dig trenches for the filtration field.
8. Place a sand and gravel filter in the trenches.
9. Backfill the pit.

At each stage of installation of the Flotenk septic tank, certain standards and requirements must be adhered to. So, in the middle zone, it is recommended to make a trench for the sewer pipe leading to the septic tank from the house about one meter wide and about one and a half meters deep. This will allow the pipe to be laid below the freezing level of the soil.

This diagram allows you to get an idea of ​​how to choose a suitable place to install a Flotenk septic tank in compliance with safety requirements (+)

As additional protection in case of frost, it is recommended to insulate the outer part of the sewer system. The trench should have a slight slope so that the waste flows towards the septic tank naturally. Once the pipe is in place, it may be necessary to drill into the home's foundation to connect the exterior and interior of the sewer system.

The diameter of the hole must correspond to the parameters of the sewer pipe. The standard size of such communications is usually 160 or 110 mm. Now you can start digging a pit to install a septic tank. Its overall dimensions and configuration are determined by the parameters of the septic tank.

Add 600-1000 mm to the length and diameter of the container. For example, for the Flotenk STA 1.5 model you will need a pit with a length of 2700-3100 mm (2100 mm + 600/1000 mm) and a width of 1600-2000 mm (1000 mm + 600/1000 mm) and a depth of 1400 mm (1000 mm + 400 mm ).

The immersion depth of a septic tank is calculated as its height (i.e. the diameter of the container) plus another 300-400 mm. In our example with the Flotenk STA 1.5 model, the pit depth will be 1300-1400 mm (1000 mm + 300/400 mm).

The pit in which the septic tank will be installed must provide space for a concrete base under its container and allow connection to the sewerage system at the correct height.

After the pit is ready, you can take care of creating a filtration field. It consists of a series of parallel trenches with a filter and perforated pipes laid inside. Purified water from the septic tank will flow through pipes and gradually seep into the ground through a filter.

To create a filtration field for the Flotenk septic tank, you will need to make a series of trenches or one common pit. Perforated pipes are placed on a layer of gravel or crushed stone

Usually they make not one, but several such trenches. Their length must be sufficient so that the septic tank is promptly emptied of liquid, which will prevent it from overflowing.The length of the filtration field trenches is calculated as follows: the number of residents in the house is multiplied by 8-10 m.

So, for a family of three people you will need a filtration field 24-30 m long. The further these pipes go from the house, the better. At the bottom of the trench you need to lay a filter consisting of layers of sand, gravel and/or crushed stone. Sometimes, instead of sand, agrofibre is used, on top of which crushed stone is poured and leveled; the layer thickness should be about 400 mm.

Plastic sewer pipes are laid in the trenches, the length of which is perforated. Now you should concrete the bottom of the pit for the septic tank. First, a sand cushion 200 mm thick is laid on the bottom, compacted and leveled.

A reinforcement grid with a cell size of 200 mm is mounted on top. Parts of the reinforcement near the edges of the pit are made longer and given a loop-like shape.

In the future, these loops will become places for attaching the septic tank to the base. After this, the base is filled with a cement-sand mixture. You can continue installing the septic tank only after the base has hardened securely. Don't rush, so as not to damage the integrity of the fill.

It should be taken into account that it is better to locate the septic tank on the side of the natural slope of the site at a distance of 3 to 5 meters from the foundation of the house. It is necessary to provide for the possibility of access by a vacuum truck for periodic emptying of containers (+)

Now the septic tank container is lowered into the pit and attached to the hinges of the base using pieces of steel cable. Before you start backfilling the pit with soil, you need to fill the septic tank with water. If this is not done, the mass of soil during backfilling may simply crush the walls of the device.

First, the soil is backfilled to the level at which sewerage and filtration pipes are connected to the septic tank. Then these pipes are connected. There is a service channel above each septic tank compartment. Special sockets should be put on them.

After this, you can finally fill the pit and sewer pipe. On the filtration field, the pipes are first covered with a layer of crushed stone (400 mm), and then the crushed stone is covered with another layer of agrofibre. After this, they are also covered with soil. Now you can remove the water from the septic tank and start using it.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

This video clearly shows the stages of wastewater treatment in a Flotenk septic tank:

This video allows you to get an idea of ​​the quality of products manufactured at Flotenk factories:

The “Flotenk” septic tank is a moderately priced and reliable choice for a home, cottage or cottage. With proper installation and operation, such a device will solve the problem of waste disposal for many years.

What option and brand of septic tank did you choose for arranging your own suburban area? Tell us what was the decisive argument before making a purchase. Please write comments in the block below, share useful information and photos on the topic of the article, and ask questions.