Review of the septic tank for a summer cottage "Unilos Astra": design, maintenance rules, advantages and disadvantages

Comfortable living in a country house or country house is impossible without the organization of individual sewerage.Not all villages have centralized networks for organizing household amenities. In most cases, you have to take care of this yourself.

This is where the Unilos Astra septic tank will come to the rescue - excellent equipment that can perform the function of cleaning the waste of the whole family for many years.

We will tell you in detail about the design and operating principle of the purifier, outline its pros and cons, and also provide practical recommendations for the operation and maintenance of the unit.

Design and principle of operation

In order for an individual sewer system to fulfill its duties, it needs to be monitored, promptly maintained, and replaced worn out parts. The service life of the Astra septic system is 50 years. During this time, many components will have to be replaced.

The operating instructions indicate which components need to be replaced at what time. To avoid problems with the performance of the equipment, you need to understand what it consists of and how it works.

The basis for the development of the Astra treatment unit was VOC "Topas", therefore, many of the design elements and operating principles of the installations are very similar.

Unilos Astra is a container of a certain volume, the walls of which are made of polypropylene 2 cm thick. Its volume depends on the ability to serve the needs of a certain number of residents. This data is indicated directly in the name, for example, astra 5, astra 8, etc.

To install the equipment, it is worth choosing a convenient place, given that it will remain there for 50 years

The installation has a lid with a fungus through which air enters. It is insulated. The container itself is equipped with stiffening ribs and is divided into 4 compartments. In each of them there is a separate process for wastewater treatment.

First, contaminated water enters the 1st compartment, where there is a filter for large fractions. Everything is defended here. The wastewater is then pumped into the second compartment, where aerobic bacteria take over it, turning the waste into activated sludge.

The installation includes an instrument compartment. Here is its smart part, which has a degree of protection IP 55, which will withstand splashing water (+)

In the third block, the older sludge settles to the bottom and settles, and the new one, floating in the upper part, is returned for recycling back to the second compartment. In the fourth, additional purification of water occurs and it is discharged outside. It is 98% pure and quite safe.

Electricity is used to operate the septic tank. The equipment itself contains a pump, pipes and tubes, a grease and hair trap, filters, a circulator and a recirculator.

It is recommended to change the air tubes every year and clean them every 3 months. This will ensure smooth operation of the system

There is no need to buy bacteria needed for wastewater treatment separately. They, as a rule, arise themselves during operation. Moreover, this takes 2-3 weeks or even a whole month if the equipment serves the appropriate number of residents.

When connecting the system, there is no need to put bacteria inside. It is advisable not to throw anything directly into the septic tank - waste should flow through the sewer pipe

If desired, you can accelerate the generation of aerobes. For this purpose they buy special bacteria marked start.They are diluted in water according to the instructions and flushed down the toilet. In the future, you don’t need to buy anything - Unilos Astra is a self-sufficient equipment that provides itself with aerobes.

Features of septic tank maintenance

Home sewerage, which provides a comfortable life outside the city, also requires attention. To ensure that everything doesn’t break down at the most inopportune moment, you need to timely service the Unilos self-sufficient septic tank.

All requirements are described in detail by the manufacturer in the equipment instructions.

The specialists invited to service and clean the sewer system do their work quite quickly. This is convenient if the owner does not have time for independent maintenance

Maintenance can be carried out in 2 ways:

• conclude an agreement with specialists;
• do everything yourself.

The essence of this process is to wash filters, tubes and pipes, clean the walls of contaminants, and pump out activated sludge from the sump. The owner of the home can do this; the main thing is to carefully read the instructions.

Moreover, it is advisable to open the lid once a month and see how the system works. There should be no unpleasant odors. If such a phenomenon is observed, then an error was made during installation.

This is possible when the owner himself carried out all the installation and connection work. Here the best solution would be to invite specialists who will point out errors and correct them.

It is not necessary to rinse the walls of the container every time. This can be done once every 6 months

Once every 3 months you should clean:

• mamut pump;
• walls of the secondary settling tank;
• Blower filters.

Also, sludge should be removed from the sump. All components can be easily disconnected and removed.This makes it easy to wash them and then put them back in place.

All components of the septic tank can be easily removed and cleaned. This allows you to carry out all the work yourself without involving specialists.

First of all, the station is turned off by pressing a special button. After 30 minutes, when the sludge settles, you can disconnect the mamut pump and begin pumping. A total of 5-6 buckets are removed. The process is described in more detail in the instructions.

Once every three months, the sewerage installation must be cleaned of sludge using a standard pump. Once every six months you need to pump out the sludge with a drain and clean the hair catcher

The equipment manufacturer recommends cleaning the aeration tank and surge tank from stabilized sludge every 5 years. The aeration elements themselves must be replaced every 10 years.

As for replacing individual elements, the compressor itself can last from 5 to 10 years, and it is advisable to change its membrane every 3 years.

More details about choosing, repairing and replacing a compressor for a septic tank are written in this article.

All maintenance work is not difficult to carry out on your own. If the owner has chosen the option of involving the organization’s specialists, then activated sludge can be pumped out every 6 months.

Pumping out the sludge takes a little time. Having finished servicing the septic tank, it is important not to forget to turn on the oxygen supply devices to avoid the death of aerobes

How can a country septic tank survive the winter?

Many future buyers of the Astra septic tank are worried that during frosts the station will freeze and stop working. This will not happen if you use the sewer regularly.Moreover, the number of drains must correspond to the nominal number of residents for which the septic tank is designed.

Therefore, it is important to clearly determine before purchasing how many people will permanently live in the dacha/country house. If you buy a model with a reserve, then nothing good will come of this idea. But specialists from the company selling the equipment will definitely consult about this and warn you about the consequences.

Be sure to clean the septic tank before preparing your seasonal cottage for winter, following the manufacturer’s recommendations

In order for Unilos Astra to survive the winter safely, you need to:

• mothball the septic tank;
• insulate by building a box over the protruding part.

Conservation is carried out only in the case when the dacha is used only during the season, and with the onset of cold weather no one will live there.

If the sewer is used in winter, then nothing needs to be preserved or insulated - the station warms itself, receiving regular waste and doing its job

For conservation, it is necessary to perform a full service of the equipment, cleaning all components and pumping out part of the activated sludge. Then place 5-liter eggplants half filled with sand into each compartment. This is necessary so that when freezing, the water in the container does not crush the walls.

A box over the lid of the septic tank will help it survive the winter safely. After all, it will not be used - the bacteria will not need oxygen

At a station disconnected from electricity, you need to remove the compressor and place it indoors. The part of the septic tank protruding above the soil level is insulated from above. To do this, construct a box on top of the container from penoplex or other insulation.

You can cover the box with plastic film to prevent the material from deteriorating under the influence of negative environmental factors.

When installed correctly and in compliance with regulations septic tank maintenance in winter, there will be no problems with its operation in cold weather.

Pros and cons of treatment design

Any equipment has its positive and negative sides. It copes with some problems perfectly, but in others there are obvious shortcomings of the manufacturer. Strengths and weaknesses must be assessed at the stage choosing a septic tank for your home or for the dacha.

Let us dwell in more detail on the advantages and disadvantages of the popular septic tank Unilos Astra. It is this question that helps many doubting homeowners make the final decision about purchasing an aeration station.

The septic tank fits perfectly into almost any local area without attracting undue attention

Advantages of this cleaning station

Sewage equipment for home use has obvious advantages.

Firstly, high level of wastewater treatment. Its rate in Unilos Astra reaches about 98%. This means that purified water is absolutely safe - it can be used for watering flower beds and beds. It has the smell of clean river water.

This technical water is used to fill household reservoirs without consequences and dump them into a pond located not far from the house. It does not pose any hidden danger, so there is no need to worry about the deterioration of the ecological state of the environment.

The septic tank can be placed next to a reservoir and the purified water can be discharged into it - this will not harm the reservoir or the environment as a whole.

Secondly, silent operation of the station itself and the absence of unpleasant odors nearby. This feature allows you to install the equipment next to a living room, bathhouse, or sauna.

Its work processes will not interfere with the usual rhythm of life of each of the family members living in the house. You don’t have to look for a place further away on the site or somewhere on the street, out of sight.

Third, activated sludge removed from the compartment during maintenance can be sent to a compost heap or immediately used as ready-made organic matter for feeding shrubs, trees and other plants. This is a free fertilizer and completely safe.

Fourth, - a wide variety of model range of septic tanks for a summer house or country house Unilos Astra. You can choose an option that perfectly suits the needs of a particular owner. Moreover, both for a small family of 3 people, and for a large number of residents - 7-15 people.

When choosing a septic tank for your dacha, it is better to seek advice from specialists. After all, you can buy a much larger volume yourself, which will not be fully used

Selecting the right model is simple - the number in its name directly indicates which family the station is designed for. For example, Astra 5 involves servicing five people permanently residing in the house, and Astra 8 - eight people, respectively.

This means that the equipment will cope with the function of cleaning the wastewater of such a number of residents.

Depending on the needs of the consumer, there are models capable of treating wastewater from an entire holiday village of 100-150 people

Fifthly, the station has very compact dimensions.

The model range is presented in three modifications:

• Standard;
• Midi;
• Long.

Depending on the characteristics of the soil in which installation is planned, the appropriate option is selected. If no problems with excavation work are foreseen, then you can choose a modification Long. This equipment will be a little longer than Midi and even longer than the standard type.

Regardless of the modification, the station takes up very little space. Thanks to its dimensions, it can be placed anywhere. The main thing is that the owners feel comfortable

At sixth, ease of installation and maintenance Unilos Astra. To install it, you don’t need heavy and bulky equipment that can destroy all the vegetation in the local area.

For maintenance, you also don’t have to call a sewer truck and spend extra money on it. Both installation and further maintenance can be done independently.

Seventh, the unit is made of durable and wear-resistant material. Polypropylene walls 2 cm thick withstand well the external influence of groundwater and the internal movement of wastewater. The equipment is reliable and can last at least 50 years.

Eighth, aeration equipment does not require intervention in its operation. It cleans the drains on its own, producing new bacteria during its operation. There is no need to buy special products or introduce new microorganisms into the system, provided you permanently live in a country house/house.

The septic tank is self-sufficient - it does not require intervention in the work, there is no need to pour or add anything into the container to improve the processing process

Ninth, the operating temperature is maintained inside the compressor at any time of the year. This feature allows you to use the compact sewer all 12 months.The main thing is that the bacteria do not starve without food and oxygen. They can withstand even a 4-6 hour absence of electricity without compromising the work process.

Tenth, laconic and stylish appearance. The station cover has compact dimensions and the ability to fit into the topography of the local area. It protrudes only 15-20 cm above the level of the soil cover and does not draw attention to itself in any way.

If desired, you can skillfully decorate the cover of the sewer equipment. After all, access to it is needed once every 3-4 months

The main disadvantages of a septic tank

In addition to many advantages, septic equipment has its disadvantages.

№1. Dependence on electricity. If Unilos Astra can withstand several hour-long interruptions in its supply, then a day or two without electricity will destroy the bacteria. Considering this feature, you should take care of a backup autonomous power supply.

Although every homeowner living in an area with constant problems with the supply of electricity is concerned about the presence of a powerful generator. After all, for a comfortable existence it is necessary to ensure the operation of the refrigerator, TV, air conditioner and other appliances.

№2. The need to periodically inspect and maintain equipment within the time limits specified in the instructions for using a specific Astra model. It also states what needs to be done and how often.

If desired, you can enter into an agreement with the company for service. Specially trained people will come and promptly carry out all procedures.

Maintenance is not so scary for summer residents and residents of suburban real estate. After all, in your own home, compared to an apartment, there are quite enough worries

№3. From time to time you will have to buy filters, tubes, aerators, a pump and other components for the sewerage station. Each spare part has its own service life. This information is included in the instructions for use.

№4. Compliance with equipment operating rules. Thus, you should not flush rotten vegetables down the drain, pour out caustic chemicals in large quantities, dump construction waste, or oily substances of a technical nature.

Although, the station is able to cope with weekly cleaning of plumbing with tile detergents, laundry and dishwasher drains. The main thing is not to do it all in one day. It is better to distribute washing and cleaning on different days to reduce the load from harmful substances.

№5. In areas with a harsh climate, you will need to take care of additional hydro- and thermal insulation of certain elements of the sewer installation. This also applies to insulation in preparation for winter.

№6. Installation of equipment will require certain efforts and skills. But it is possible to cope with it on your own. And if desired, use the services of the organization from which Unilos Astra is purchased. It is also not recommended to install it at sub-zero temperatures.

№7. High cost of treatment station. Although, if you consider that its service life is 50 years, then the entire amount can be safely divided by this figure.

Thanks to the domestic manufacturer and product orientation towards the domestic market, climatic conditions and the needs of homeowners were taken into account

Having considered the main advantages and negative characteristics of Unilos Astra, you can get a general idea of ​​septic equipment.

The price-quality ratio is the most favorable when compared with foreign analogues. For a very affordable price, the consumer receives a high-quality product that is ready to last for half a century.

The quality of the equipment and the ease of its maintenance are directly confirmed by the positive reviews of many owners. The owners, having installed a septic tank at their dacha or in a country house, have already managed to test it in action, and also adapt to its features.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video clip about the characteristics of the Astra septic tank and the basics of its installation in a country house:

Detailed video of step-by-step maintenance of the Unilos autonomous sewer system:

Video tips on how to properly prepare your country sewer system for winter:

Visual aid on pumping activated sludge from Unilos Astra:

Video description of the principles of operation and design of a septic tank:

Having understood the positive and negative aspects of the Astra septic tank, it is not difficult to make a decision to purchase it. After all, each specific dacha has its own option.

If the owner is not afraid of the prospect of periodic maintenance and has the necessary money to purchase the station, then it will become an indispensable attribute of country life. If desired, you can enter into an agreement for its maintenance with specialists.

Perhaps you have experience using the Astra septic tank? Please leave feedback on the operation of the treatment plant or ask questions on the topic that interest you. The contact form is located below.