EF-6 Commercial Effluent Filter by Tuf-Tite

I had my septic tank pumped out, and while it was empty, I installed the filter as a DIY homeowner project. This is feasible for any DIY person willing to get into their tank, which does smell bad. Depending on how your outlet is positioned, the installation can be either relatively simple or challenging.The biggest task is preparing the outlet to accept the new filter. I cut off my old non-filtered outlet tube, then used PVC Weld-On cement to attach the right-size fitting adapter for the new filter. This is visible in the photo below, where you can see the white adapter cemented in place. Once you've completed that step, attaching the filter itself takes about five minutes. Apply some more Weld-On cement, pop on the new filter, and you're done.This entire approach was suggested by my local city engineer, who said it would increase the life of the leach field by 10X—which is extremely desirable and cost-effective.

It was time for our 2-year septic system service when, during the pump out, the honey dipper operator advised me that the outlet baffle on our 1500-gallon two section septic tank had detached and was no longer preventing effluent from entering the drainage field. He had obviously encountered this situation many times before and advised that the baffle function could be duplicated by installing an effluent filter, provided the filter was serviced regularly at two-year intervals. He suggested that perhaps Amazon might be a good source to find one. He was correct as my search led me to this product. I gave it a look over when it arrived and its function was clear to see. A removable baffle type filter assembly with a significant amount of surface area. The housing is made of PVC material in a thickness I would estimate is equal to typical thin wall PVC Drainage & Sewer pipe. The female tee outlet fit my installed 4" schedule 40 outlet pipe perfectly and the included bushing for attaching to thin wall pipe, although appreciated, was not needed. Intending to service the filter at regular intervals, I installed a retrieval handle to the baffle section using ½” PVC electrical conduit I had on hand to make it a bit less precarious to retrieve from ground level (gray extension in photo). I expect this device will provide good service for many years to come. Additional information and technical drawings are available at tuf-tite.

I installed this 6” unit in conjunction with replacing the first 4’ of SDR 35 outlet pipe from my septic tank. The pipe had become angled upward inside the tank and the scum layer was floating over the internal baffles. (While digging, I discovered that the installer had carelessly pushed a large rock on top of the pipe which partially crushed it and raised the outlet inside the tank.)The new unit fit snugly with the included bushing when dry fitting it. I decided to use silicone around the pipe and bushing to seal it instead of gluing it into place and pinned it with a 1” stainless screw. Should I ever need to replace the filter housing, I won’t have to cut it off the pipe and lose a few inches off the outlet.The unit seems robust, though I was a bit surprised at the thinness of the walls of the filter housing. It’s probably designed to be as light as possible yet still be strong.

Ok, so this is easy to install IF YOU HAVE THE ROOM to do so. These tips should help you if space is tight as it was for me.First, if you have some water in the bottom of the tank, whatever tools you are using, TIE A STRING to it in case you drop it so you don't have to try to retrieve it from the bottom of the tank--not a pleasant experience!Second, many of you will have a PCV "T" already installed. If so, you should NOT use any kind of power saw such as a reciprocating saw to cut the "T" off--its overkill and possibly can cause you problems you don't need to risk. There is a hand pipe saw made specifically for cutting PVC pipe it works great--goes through the pipe like butter (see link).Third--if space is tight you'll have a problem "roughing" up or sanding/cleaning the PVC pipe you need to connect to. You can use a roll of emery cloth (one inch)--cut a piece long enough so you can work it back and forth on the underside of the pipe. Use a mirror to check the underside to make sure you have it cleaned and roughed up.Fourth, connect it DRY first to make sure you have easy access to the filter--that is to be able to pull it straight up to take it out to clean it--there is some "bend" in it but just make sure you can remove the filter before you glue it in. The pipe can get "stuck" so again if you are in "tight" working quarters, use a bit of cooking oil spray--works great to make it easy to get on and off--just wipe it dry once you are ready to glue.Fifth, if you are connecting to 4-inch PVC pipe you'll need to use the adapter that comes with it--I saw a review that said it fit without it and I don't understand that--perhaps there is some really thick PVC pipe some people have. However the adapter fits snug around 4-inch PVC pipe. Glue the adapter in first and let it set for 20 minutes.Sixth, glue the filter "T" into the outlet pipe and check it with a level (again a mirror is good for this in tight spaces where you can't bend over).Finally, there is an arrow on the filter that should point to the outlet--make sure it does.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CEF5L8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

First time septic tank owner. I installed this on the out going port of the septic tank. I like the concept and the ease at which the filter can be removed from the housing, then rinsed out and re-inserted. It is worth it to keep any solid particles from getting into the leeching fields.

I got this for one purpose, to act as a spare. And this product does the trick admirably.Actually, I noticed when I clean the filter, some junk gets by in the meantime. I bought this one to serve as the one being used to switch for the dirty one.In other words, I pull out the one out that’s been in service for 2 or 3 months, and I the quickly re-insert this one (the clean one) in its place. This means that an absolute minimum of junk can pass in those few seconds. And then, I can clean the prior one at my leisure, before storing it ready for the next inspection.

Installed easy, very nice and durable. Time will tell.

Was easy to install also was an upgrade from the original made by the installer