Hi all-
A salesman from Septic Savior called me this morning (08/22/2014), trying to sell septic tank additive to combat the effects of petroleum found in shampoo, toilet paper, etc.. After much research and not having found much info about this I discovered this website which answered all my questions. What a wonderful source of information. Thanks

Rid-X, Septic Savior and other additives are a scam to get your money.
A "starter" is not needed for bacterial action to begin in a septic tank. Many bacteria are present in the materials deposited into the tank and will thrive under the growth conditions present.
If you feel that an additive is needed, be aware that some may do great harm. Additives that advertise to "eliminate" tank cleaning may cause the sludge layer to fluff up and be washed out into the drainfield, plugging soil pores. Some additives, particularly degreasers, may contain carcinogens (cancer-causing) or suspected carcinogens that will flow into the ground water along with the water from the soil treatment unit. Good luck, Tom

There are all types of scams. Septic additives have been around for years. Every home improvement store, normally sells one or two.

Always keep a eye on the flow and level of your tanks. Be sure they are pumped when needed.

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eye on the flow and level of your tanks.

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Agree, but be aware that septic tanks are always "full". The effluents come in at one level and flow out at a level just below that. The tank serves as a place for the solids to accumulate, dissolve and liquefy before flowing out to the septic field to be absorbed into the soil.

Great explanation Harold!
What most people don'[t realize is that It's not the septic tank that;s the cause of septic backups. In all my years un the field I have never seen sludge build up to where it had to be pumped out. It's always the drainfield that clogs up and not accepting liquid from the tank. So they have the tank pumped and while it will work until the tank fills up again. SEPTIC TANKS DO NOT CLOG and FILL UP! It's all the fault of the drainfield. So the scam by Rid-X and Savior are rip-offs. Just wanted you to know. Tom