Brutes w/ bulkheads

[Osaka-san]

I'm looking for low cost RI/DI and Saltwater storage options. I understand Brute trash cans are the way to go. Can these be successfully fitted w/ bulkheads for water inlet and exit? I'd like to plumb the RO/DI directly into one and have a spigot as well to tap water for my other tank (not on the auto top off). Anyone have experience doing this? I am considering the 20 gal. version.

 

[ScrubberOTanky]

It may be kind of tricky because of radius of the can and the fact that the bulkhead needs to be flat. Try Fimco in Tempe, they have a ton of containers with bulkheads already installed.

 

[coralreefer2110]

Osaka-san,
I have a 32 gallon that was retro-fitted with a valve. The bulkhead option did not work for the reasons that Scrubber-O-Tanky stated but I did take two thick O-rings and have one outside and one inside the can providing a guard with the PVC running through.

I only have one valve installed as it is my mixing/refilling station but a second would certainly work the same way. It is not by any means a fool-proof method but it does work inexpensively. I did leave it full for about a week to see if it would leak when the can heated and expanded due to weather, humidity, etc. I have used it for about 2 years now with no issues, so once set up, they do hold nicely.

There are pictures of it in my gallery if you are curious.
Good luck.

 

[reefstew]

Why not rig a float vave with a spring clamp to the top of the can & buy a power head & pump the water out? I been doing that for years now.

 

[crsaz]

you could build a small stand and install the bulkhead and a ball valve with some tubing in the bottom.(let gravity do the work)

 

[prugs]

I used to use 44gal Brute containers for top-off water storage & for mixing saltwater. Just add a small float valve to control the water level.

This was the top off container with kalk reactor inside. You can see the small float valve on the upper right.