Is a 55 Gallon Mixing Station Enough for a 400 Gallon Build

[dotcommer]

I am working on my RODI / Mixing Station closet and was wondering if two 55 Gallon Barrels will be enough?

I am going to have over 400 gallons with the tank and sump and since this is my first large tank I am curious if my current mixing station of 55 Gallons RODI and 55 Gallon Saltwater Mixing Barrel will be enough.

A weekly change of 55 Gallons would be approximately a 13% water change.

 

[ademster]

thats what I used.

 

[reefstew]

We are going to have to see pictures of that build.

 

[dotcommer]

We are going to have to see pictures of that build.

I have a build thread here. I decided to change direction and instead of doing all the plumbing under the tank. I am creating a fish room on the outside basement area which is located right next to where the tank will be.

 

[dotcommer]

This is my current mixing station which is located in the garage .

 

[dotcommer]

This is where I am looking to move it to, which is my downstairs outdoor basement area. The closet is currently the sump room for the basement area. If I decide to go with the existing 55 Gallon barrels. Otherwise, I will be posting it for sale here

 

[reefstew]

I checked out your build thread. You have some nice coral.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

If you have the room I would go bigger. It would be nice to be able to do bigger water changes in case of a problem. If you dont have the extra room then I'm sure you will be fine. Just have an RO unit that can make water pretty fast.

 

[dotcommer]

If you have the room I would go bigger. It would be nice to be able to do bigger water changes in case of a problem. If you dont have the extra room then I'm sure you will be fine. Just have an RO unit that can make water pretty fast.

We just re-did the plumbing of the basement sump closet (see pic below) so I can fit two 55 Gallon barrels in there easily since they are only 23" wide. I would like to go larger, but the problem is the door is only 24" wide.

I know they have 23" round barrels that are taller, but I was looking to put a shelf above the barrels, so I can put my dosing containers and some reactors on it.

My other option is to put in a larger door, but then the wife factor comes in. If she happens to travel downstairs when I have a larger hole in the wall, then I have some explaining to do.

 

[NaClH20NMYVEIN]

Just hang a painting over the hole until it gets fixed she wont notice it

 

[dream54ing]

If you have the room I would go bigger. It would be nice to be able to do bigger water changes in case of a problem. If you dont have the extra room then I'm sure you will be fine. Just have an RO unit that can make water pretty fast.

+1

I checked out your built thread, looks like a fun project!!!

 

[bambam918]

Use trash cans. That's what I use

 

[zrogst]

Use trash cans. That's what I use

^ This. Setup your normal barrel mixing station (looks great btw) and keep a brute or two on wheels around.

 

[zibba]

Bigger would be nice, for sure. If you can't go bigger, you could mix salt in your RO/DI storage container, right? On a quick rotation (mixing new salt and filling the opposing reservoir), that would allow you to do a sequence of 13% water changes.

Just saw your build -- will subscribe!

 

[evolved]

Just hang a painting over the hole until it gets fixed she wont notice it

Is this the voice of experience? :spin1:


I think it's big enough for routine changes, but as others have pointed out, it's lacking a bit of reserve for emergencies. So long as you have a plan if an emergency arises, I think you're fine.