FAQ's
Buying the BioPod
Energy Saving
Installing the BioPod
Maintenance and Care of the System
Irrigating the Garden
Buying the BioPod
How soon can we get our system?
Each BioPod is individually handmade to order, in Australia. It will generally take 3-4 weeks to deliver from the time you place your order, but if your need is urgent, we can service you from one of our Australian or New Zealand stockpoints.
What is a wastewater management report/land capability report and who does it?
A Wastewater Management Report and a Land Capability Report are the same thing, just given different titles by different Councils. These reports are prepared for you by a Wastewater Management Specialist/Geotech and specify a large number of things for you, such as:
Design Criteria – including number of bedrooms, hydraulic loading and buffer distances;
Soil Assessment – including soil profile, texture, permeability, drainage, dispersability;
Site Assessment – including slope, water table etc.
Biolytix will assist you through this process.
Energy
Is the system suitable for solar powered homes?
Yes, it is ideal as it does not use a lot of energy.
There are two pumps in the system, one is a 5 watt diaphragm air pump and the second is an on demand submersible irrigation pump. The daily power usage for the BioPod, in an average house, is about 0.12 kWH. This makes it ideal for solar power systems however you will require a 24 hour 240 volt supply.
What is the power usage?
The power consumption of the BioPod for treatment is less than 0.12kWh per day. It uses less than 5% of the energy needed to run a conventional aerobic onsite treatment system, saving around 1000kWh pa.
Is there a powerless option?
We have a gravity drained system that uses very little power - only enough to run a small air pump (similar to that used in a fish tank). The annual power use of this system is estimated at 44kWh . This system requires at least a 3m fall on your site and disperses into trenches rather than irrigation.
Installing the BioPod
Who will install my system?
Biolytix has a national network of accredited partners who will install your BioPod.
How far away from the house can it be installed?
Most people look to install the system between 5 and 20 metres away from the house. This is a good balance between leaving room for the patio or deck in the future and the cost of the sewer line from the house. Given that the system is discrete, small, odourless and you can’t hear it, you don’t need it to be a great distance from your house
Can you keep the tank above ground?
The BioPod will need to gravity-feed from your house - so generally not.
The sewer lines from your house will need to drain into the BioPod, so provided that you can achieve the right fall on your block of land, it may be possible. However, unless there is a special circumstance like heavy rock on your site, we generally recommend that the system be installed below ground.
An above ground tank will also need to be protected from the sun (not UV resistant) .
Is the tank waterproof in case of a flood?
Generally the system should not be installed in a flood zone on your property. In the event of a flood, a service technician would visit and check the BioPod to carry out a full diagnosis and offer advice for rectification. Any work associated with this may be covered under your household flood insurance.
Can I install it in a sewered area?
Generally not. Most councils have expensive wastewater infrastructure that may run past your front door. Depending on where you live will determine if you can purchase a BioPod – please check with your Local Council.
Biolytix is approved by Local, State and Federal Government and we must abide by the guidelines that are provided to us in our approvals. We will not be able to sell you a system without Council approval.
I have a portable house, can I move the tank when I relocate my house?
The BioPod is securely installed and is not able to be moved.
I have a small block, can I install a BioPod?
In most cases councils will not approve subdivisions or land parcels that do not have adequate area available for the dispersal of the water, so you will need to consider this when designing your house. In some cases you may need to disperse the water through trenches rather than the subsurface drip irrigation to minimise the space required for your system. The BioPod itself is great for small blocks as it is the smallest tank on the market so it has a smaller footprint.
I live in a 2 bed shed and will build a 4 bedroom house later. Can I install a BioPod Basic and upgrade to a BioPod later?
A BioPod Basic treats to a primary standard and as this is a lower treatment quality than the BioPod you may not be allowed to install this system. The Biopod Basic cannot be upgraded to the BioPod at a later date so we recommend installing a system which can handle your future loading requirements.
Maintenance and care of the system
Why is the BioPod so cheap to maintain?
The BioPod only uses a small amount of electricity and only requires 1 annual service. If you live in Tasmania it is required to be serviced every 7 months.
Who will service my system?
One of our Accredited Biolytix Network Partners will service your system once a year.
What goes into the system?
All regular household wastewater from your kitchen, bathroom, toilets and laundry. You can also put in kitchen food scraps through an In-Sink-Erator (except for Western Australia).
Can I open the tank and drop food scraps in?
No, however our systems can be used in conjunction with an In-Sink-Erator food waste disposal system.
I have a chemical toilet in my caravan. Can I empty its content into the tank?
The chemicals used in these types of systems are very toxic and should not be disposed of into the BioPod as it may cause disruption to the balanced ecosystem.
Irrigating the Garden
What can I irrigate?
Lawns, shrubs, trees and fruit trees. This is subject to Council regulations.
Can I use the water on my vegetables?
It is not recommended for your vegetable garden. However your orchard trees will appreciate it. (Please check with your Council whether you are allowed to use it on your fruit trees.)
What are my irrigation dispersal options?
The Biolytix irrigation kit will irrigate below the surface of your garden or lawn.
How big does the irrigation/dispersal area need to be?
This will depend on your soil type and also the potential occupancy of your home. Average irrigation field sizes vary between 200 sqm and 600 sqm.
How far can the irrigation area be from the tank before I require the pump upgrade?
50 metres, although this may differ depending on your incline.
Can I irrigate above ground?
No. Current treatment technology that allows you to use water above ground is inefficient and expensive to run. Sometimes this includes the use of potentially dangerous chlorine – something nature did not intend. The BioPod treatment process is free of chlorine.
Can I store the treated water?
No. Refer to the answer to the previous question.
Can we add a UV filter or other attachment to make it an advanced secondary system?
We don’t generally recommend these type of “attachments” because they use a lot of electricity and can be unreliable. The BioPod is extremely energy efficient and it is important to our philosophy to keep it that way.
Thank you. Feel free to call or email us if you have any more questions.
Toll Free: 1300 881 472 E: sales@biolytix.com.au