Featured
16 Aerobic Septic System Do's and Dont's
Aerobic systems are a little more complicated than conventional septic systems, but nothing a homeowner can’t
The Hoot system utilizes a circuit board computer inside the control panel, and a sensor type system
instead of float switch system. Why, do you ask? Possibly, to be different, or maybe they thought it was
a good idea, or it only might have been a good idea at the time.
We encountered ramifications in this design characteristic. This particular component often broke. Installers didn’t properly seal the panel wires from the tank to the control panel, and chlorine gas would get into the control panel and wreak havoc. Hoot is not the only brand to have a “system-specific” control panel; there are others. This is one consideration with Hoot, and other brands experience similar or other issues. Many of these issues are due to poor installation rather than the failure of the
components. If you get a Hoot system make sure you tell your installer you want floats installed, rather than sensors. This minor alteration should allow any reputable septic company, the ability to make repairs, should the need arise. Another issue: the location of the floats put in the corner and screwed on with a PVC cap, makes it not readily accessible can be resolved by installing a 20” Tuf-Tite adapter ring and riser and situating the pump within the riser increasing accessibility.
Other issues are that hoot will not sell to installers who don’t install Hoot or will and charge outrageous prices. Leading most installers just to establish a different control panel that is easy to work on. Hoot for some reason thinks you need a control panel you would find on a city wastewater treatment plant that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, but for what the system is it doesn’t need all the things it has.
Another consideration of the Hoot System is the ease of access, to the diffusers. You may not ever have to take them off, however, if they do need to be removed, it is more cumbersome than others. Specifically, in the old systems, there were rubber boots on the PVC. These boots would rot, and come loose, etc. Now the diffusers are “piped in” with glue. The pipe is also more substantial: 1 ½ instead of 1 ¼ or one inch, like everyone else, uses. This results in very little room, to work when repairing them.
Hoot Systems use Troyair septic air/aerators. These pumps are made by Hiblow. The TROYAIR H450 H365, H500, H600, LA500, LAR500 air pump each equate to a HiBlow HP-80 (painted brown with a Troyair sticker on it). As well, the H 750,750A for a 750gpd system equates to a Hiblow HP100LL, and the Troyair H820, LA820, H1000, LA1000 each equates to a Hiblow HP120LL. A noticeable difference is that the air nipple is located in the front (which is patented for the Troyair). In some parts of Texas and most of Louisiana, local authorities will force you to install a TROYAIR. In Louisiana, this is an enforceable regulation, which forces the homeowner to purchase the replacement part from an agent of Hoot/Troyair. An example of this would be: not allowing an individual to buy parts from a local/neighborhood parts store to repair their vehicle, but instead forcing them to purchase parts from an automobile dealership. They say this and that different like the thermal capacitor is rated higher. We have never seen a troy air perform better or worse than a standard Hiblow.
Aerobic systems are a little more complicated than conventional septic systems, but nothing a homeowner can’t
