Bryan Paul

Braden Pickard wrote:(if this is in the wrong forum feel free to move or delete it)

Just curious if anyone's bought this book or built a septic system using it? Wanted to see if anyone thought it was a scam before I bought it. On sale for $26 right now.

https://www.diysepticsystem.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlsqiq9-E7gIVpOiGCh1NHAAEEAMYASAAEgI2EPD_BwE

I saw the price drop and decided to buy it myself today our of curiosity, although I doubt I'll ever use it.  One thing that concerned me with it's absence (not sure if it's in the book yet), is permitting.  If you are in an area that requires a septic system, there are some things that go along with that (percolation testing and site inspections).  I have my doubts that this DIY system will pass county/counsel/etc inspection, it's most likely a "don't ask, don't tell" means of dealing with waste when you are way off grid or at some other site where you want a bathroom/shower/etc but it's not required.  I could see this as a cheap way of dealing with a failed septic system on an older homestead, but again, only as a "bypass the permitted system with this thing we don't talk about".

I may be wrong, and I hope I am.  It would be nice if inspectors will accept a $500 -$1000 solution instead of a $10,000+ solution.  Just make sure you know all the requirements and risks before getting started.

If permits are not an issue, or you are willing to run the risk, I would encourage you to investigate some of the other water and waste management options discussed in these forums.  Here is a link to a recent Greywater system discussion: https://permies.com/t/89452/simplest-cheapest-greywater-setup

As well as some links to Composting toilet/poop palace discussions: https://permies.com/t/133787/Humanure-reality-codes  https://permies.com/t/25481/permaculture-projects/willow-feeder-wheelie-bin-pooper

Good luck, hope it works out for you.

This could be a real game changer.  One of the things holding me back from building a RMH is the expensive ceramic fiber board, fire bricks, cob, and the pain of working with all of it.  An 8" HVAC duct lined with 1" of this would be a super quick 6" riser.

I'd be interested to know the technical specs compared to Ceramic wool or fiber board?

Are there any pictures from builds people are willing to share?

Thanks and keep up the innovation,

I love the library idea.  I was planning on donating a book or two to local libraries, but 200 would spread the book to a much larger audience.  I'm not exactly sure how Google's algorithms work with libraries, but if we're lucky this will improve the SEO of Paul's kingdom even more.

Of course for my personal benefit I'd love Erica's plans, more books and the like too ;)

I fast sporadically nowadays (once a month or two for 24 hours), but I have gone for several days in the past (just vitamins and water).  I found that my hunger pains went away after a day or two even with keeping up with a pretty intense training regime.  I wasn't tracking weight or anything like that, just felt like the best way to cleanse any junk from my body would be to just not put any in for a while.

The greatest benefit I feel I got from the experience was to break the cycle of habitual eating.  I only felt the desire to eat when I was truly hungry instead the 3 meals a day or more that many of are trained on from an early age.  The effect has carried over for years now, and I still only feel like eating once or twice a day.

I second Daniel's idea of a branched greywater system.  PVC pipe and fittings can be attached to drains with virtually no tools and run outside to your reed bed easily.  Then you don't have to worry about hauling stinky buckets outside every few days.

Good point Len.  And since stratification chamber RMH designs are so new, maybe I'll have get the numbers myself of how hot the top vs. the bottom gets.

I love the look of log homes too.  But the expense and maintenance of a conventional log home is pretty prohibitive to a lot of people.  I found this site a long time ago that advocates owner-built, butt and pass method cabins.  If nothing else I hope it gives people wanting to go the log cabin route some ideas.

https://www.buildloghomes.org

When using barrels for the stratification chamber, do they require barrel prep like removing paint, or are the temps low enough that they won't off-gas?

Wofati is number 1 for me, with the fermentation cookbook a close second.

Kelly Hart wrote:

Bryan Paul wrote:I like the idea of earthbag construction, but I wonder if this book includes alternatives to polypropylene bags and Portland cement stabilizers?  

There are alternatives to polypropylene bags but they will not last as long, nor are they as strong as the synthetic fiber. Generally clay is sufficient as a stabilizer, but the use of lime is also possible. The book does cover these topics.

Thank you Mr. Hart.  I look forward to reading your book.