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This chapter will deal with problem that may arise with your compost, what is required to make your compost healthy
and how to correct problems if they arise.
Requirements of an Aerobic Compost
In a Sun-Mar, a good compost is predominantly aerobic, which
means that oxygen is available for aerobic bacteria throughout
the Bio-drum. Aerobic bacteria consume waste quickly and
odorlessly to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor and
leave behind a small fraction of the original waste volume in
the form of basic minerals. The end compost is a mix of valu-
able minerals and bulking material that has not decomposed.
To work effectively to break down waste, aerobic bacteria need
oxygen, moisture, available carbon (from the bulking material),
and warmth.
In a Sun-Mar, oxygen is provided by the tumbling of the drum
and the bulking material leaving free air space within the com-
post. Moisture is provided by the waste, and is made available
to aerobic bacteria by the moisture retention properties of the
bulking material. If the compost is too dry, add warm water.
In summary, to keep the compost aerobic, it is important to
rotate the drum, add bulking material, and keep the compost
moist.
Oxygen
Lack of oxygen becomes a problem where:
- Too much moisture eliminates the free air space,
- A lack of bulking material limits free air space,
- Aerobic bacteria use up oxygen in the compost.
Lack of oxygen causes the compost to become increasingly
anaerobic, which means that aerobic bacteria are displaced by
anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria work slowly and pro-
duce undesirable ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, and methane.
Consequently, the maintenance of ‘free air’ space by periodi-
cally rotating the drum and adding the right bulking material is
very important in Sun-Mar units. Excessive rotation is not
helpful and can harm the compost by disturbing the bacteria
too much.
Moisture
If there is too much moisture, and the compost is approaching
saturation, oxygen is pushed out and anaerobic activity pre-
dominates. On the other hand, if there is too little moisture,
aerobic activity slows. For this reason, it is important to main-
tain adequate moisture levels (40-60% moisture content is
ideal). Generally, if you shine a flashlight in after mixing, there
should be a slight sheen of moisture on your compost.
Warmth
Too little warmth will cause aerobic activity to slow. Below 55-
60 degrees F., microbes will go dormant and composting will
stop. Composting speeds increase dramatically with temper-
ature.
Characteristics of a Bad Compost
If your compost is over 8 weeks old and it exhibits one or more
of the following characteristics , then an operating change is
indicated.
Extraction required too often (under 4
weeks)
Large Lumps present in compost
Compost muddy or clay-like
Flies present (this may also be a problem
with foreign matter being added to unit; see
section on flies)
Compost has strong unpleasant smell of
sewage when drum is turned.
Toilet paper present in finishing drawer
Troubleshooting
In using this troubleshooting section, you should follow reme-
dial action in the order that they are given, unless you are sure
of the problem. You should see improvement in a week, and
your compost should be back to normal in 2-3 weeks. If it is
not, make sure that “Ongoing Toilet Maintenance” is being fol-
lowed and check the mechanical troubleshooting section.
Although the start up instructions remain the same no matter what your application, different situations
will require different actions and this chapter will explain what they are.
Chapter 4
Compost Troubleshooting
Initial System Start Up
Begin operation by carrying out the start up procedure described below, and then continue with the “Ongoing
Toilet Maintenance” routine. It normally takes six weeks before a compost is properly established. You will know
this has happened when:
- Compost Volume increases more slowly
- Compost turns black and becomes loam-like
- Toilet paper decomposes within a few days
One entire bag of Compost Sure Blue to the drum or 100%
non-antibacterial wood shavings.
1/2 Microbe Mix packet at start up, other 1/2 in two weeks
About 1 gallon (4 litres) of warm water into the drum
Fan and heater are operating
“Compost Quick” enzymes into drum before and after mixing.
Coat the evaporation chamber with it before using the unit.
Loose peat moss from the evaporating chamber until the com-
post is established, which takes approximately 6 weeks.
Black evaporating tray under drum screen to the left of the
right finishing drawer.
Compost collection bin (Doghouse) with garbage bag.
-Provides carbon base and initial mass
for compost.
-Adds necessary microbes which will
breakdown the compost.
-Moistens carbon base
-The unit is ready for use
-Speeds start up of compost by acting
as a catalyst to assist bacteria.
-Prevents possibility of start-up odor in
the evaporating chamber.
-Until the compost is active, some peat
moss may fall through the screen or
drum door into the evaporating cham-
ber
Extends the surface area of evaporation
chamber
-Allows easy removal of finished com-
post.
Action Why?
CAUTION
1. Do
NNOOTT
add or clean the toilet bowl with chemicals. Chemicals will kill the bacteria.
IINNSSTTEEAADD
, clean the bowl liner with”Compost Quick”, or very hot water and baking soda.
2. Do
NNOOTT
add plastic, glass, metal, cleaning fluids, cigarettes. Add only waste and bulking material.
3. Kitchen or garden waste are
NNOOTT
recommended.
4. Do NOT add baby wipes of feminine paper as they will not compost.
*
Toilet paper is a good source of carbon and should be added after use.
ADD
ADD
SPRINKLE
PLUG IN
SPRAY
RAKE
POSITION
LINE
Chapter 3
Start Up and Use
