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Ongoing Toilet Maintenance
The procedure below is designed to keep the compost:
- Moist, but not too wet
- Well aerated and mixed
- Well balanced and aerobic
-
Your fertilizer is ready.
- This is a good time to remove peat
debris
-
Frees space in the composting
chamber for the new seasons com-
posting.
- Raises moisture level
- Even though the compost still has
microbes in it, you may want to start
the year by replenishing your batch
of microbes.
- Compost Quick helps to accelerate the
action of the microbes.
- Maintains the carbon/nitrogen
balance
- Absorbs liquid
- Helps oxygen penetrate for aerobic
composting
- Mixes and oxygenates the compost
- unplugging unit will conserve power
and keep compost from drying.
- addition of water helps keep the
compost moist
- Moves some compost to the next
stage for finishing
- Ensures that the drum does not get
too full
- Provides extra time for composting
to be completed
Add 1 cupful (or 2 handfuls) of Sun-Mar Compost Sure Blue(or100% non-anti-
bacterial wood shavings) to the Bio-Drum per person per day of use.
Turn Handle to rotate the drum 6 complete revolutions(36 - 40 turns of the
handle), three times a week when in use, or, if used only at weekends, only on
departure. DO NOT forget to return the drum opening to a position under the
waste pipe.
Unplug the unit if you are leaving for a period of more than a few days. If you
are leaving one weekend and coming back the next, you may unplug the unit.
Consider installing a timer to shut the unit off after 48 hours to evaporate excess
liquid. If you are leaving for a period of more than a few days, or the compost
appears dry, add approximately 1/2 gallon of warm water to keep the compost
moist.
Extract some compost into the finishing drawer when the drum is 1/2 full. It is
1/2 full when the compost reaches a level about 4-6 inches below the drum door
when the door is open.
To empty some compost into the drawer, pull the drum locker button and rotate the
handle counter-clockwise (to turn the drum clockwise). Turn at the same speed
you would normally do for mixing. If necessary, use the rake to level the compost
in the drawer. If there is not enough compost in the drawer, turn the drum back-
wards (clockwise) again 1 rotation.
Leave the compost in the finishing drawer to finish for 3-4 weeks or until you next
need to remove compost from the drum. We recommend storing compost in a con-
tainer before using.
If your unit is used seasonally and is not used heavily,
you may not have to remove any compost at all during
the season. If so, follow “Annual Startups”.
Periodic Check Up
- Ensures drains cannot get plugged and
evaporation is improved.
- A good compost is between 40% and
60% moisture content.
- Prevents lumps, ensures toilet paper
breaks down quickly.
- Prevents insects
- Prevents liquid from accumulating in
the drum.
- Keeps compost from getting
anaerobic.
Rake peat moss debris from the evaporation chamber, making sure to rake from
the rear of the chamber, including the back two corners of the unit. Raking should
occur on a twice yearly basis for cottages (best done at annual startups), and a bi-
monthly period for continuous users.
Check your compost moisture level on each visit for cottage users and once
every two weeks for continuous users. This can be done by shining a light into the
Bio-Drum. The compost should have a slight gloss or shine to it. A moisture meter
may also be used if so desired. Range should be 4-6, which represents 40% to
60%
Clean the drum screen. Remove the finishing drawer. The drum screen is locat-
ed to the left of the drawer. Spray the drum screen with Compost Quick and let sit
for 15 minutes (this will help to loosen the debris if the screen is not too encrust-
ed). Scrub the screen vigorously with the wire brush. If brushing the screen does
not clear it and liquid is still not draining through the screen, use a screwdriver or
nail to puncture each hole in the drum screen.
Once your unit has been through initial or annual start-ups, and ongoing maintenance procedures are being followed,
Sun-Mar recommends a system of periodic checks be undertaken.
Action Reason for Action
Annual Start Up (seasonal units only)
Many units are only used regularly throughout the summer. For such seasonal units Sun-Mar recommends that the
following start up procedure be followed at the beginning of the season.
Action Reason for Action
Empty the compost that had been left in the finishing drawer, and use the rake to
clean out the evaporation chamber.
Remove additional drawers of compost (if there is more than 6 - 8” in the
drum), by releasing the drum lock (white button on right side of unit), and rotating
the drum clockwise (the handle turns counter-clockwise) to extract compost into the
drawer. (At the beginning of the season, it will all be finished compost) Empty the
drawer and repeat extraction cycle until the level in the drum is reduced to about 6”
Add 1 gallon of warm water.
As an option for optimal composting,
Add SUN-MAR “Microbe Mix” . We do not recommend using topsoil as it may contain
fly larvae.
SUN-MAR “Compost Quick” enzyme can also be used as a compost accelerant.
Action Reason for Action
**Sealand Toilet users;
Removal of the Sealand Water Valve is advised for winter months where the toilet portion may be
exposed to freezing temperatures. The plastic housing of the water valve will crack if any moisture is left inside, necessitat-
ing the replacement of this part which is NOT covered under your warranty.
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