Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

[RockyMtnReef]

Thanks, however the leak test will be the true judge. Hope to do that later today

Actually I bought the tanks from a fellow reefer who was taking down his tank. I paid $100 ea but I think new they cost a fair amount more. I will find out and let you know.

 

[Speed]

That is a sweet set up !! Where did you get those plastic barrels?? are they expensive?

the biggest problem with the tanks is not the cost of the tank itself.
175g FDA approved go for around $200 the problem is the cost of freight shipping to get them to you. the shipping is extremely cost prohibitive.
if you have a farm supply store close by that would be a good start.

there is a tractor supply store in Rio Grande City, TX about 2 and half hours northeast of you. they sell tanks.

I paid $100 ea but I think new they cost a fair amount more.

you got them for 1/2 off. nice deal indeed.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

Per Ragga's post. I just ordered 2x 80 gallon utility tanks because I needed a specific size for the space I am using and the shipping was $210. I priced out multiple models from 75-120 gallons and the shipping always worked out to $175-$210 to ship 2 tanks to a residential address.

 

[Reef_Patrol]

I am planning on setting up a mixing station in the basement and have one main question about sun light. I plan on stacking the white somewhat translucent tanks and the top one will be exposed to indirect sunlight the first half of everyday and I was wondering what if any issues it may cause? That top tank will hold the RO/DI water.

Extra info on my setup:
My choice for tanks will be one of these:
Ace Roto Mold 70 Gallon Free Standing Stackable Tank No Sump FS0070-24 (Approx. $600 but it saves space)
I plan on stacking these 3 high with RO/DI top, Salt Middle and Waste Water on Bottom.

OR

Norwesco 65 Gallon Vertical Storage Tank (Approx. $400 from Farm and Fleet, Local Pickup)
I would stack RO/DI on top Salt below that and waster on the floor next to Salt.

I need a waste tank as I already have gone through multiple sump pumps just from my Water softener dumping into the sump pit. This tank will pump up and out to sewer.

Thanks in advance as I have been reading this forum for a long time and slowly setting my system up.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

This is just my opinion, but I don't think the sunlight will affect the RO/DI water as there shouldn't be any nutrients to promote algae growth and its in the white container. Just a heads up on the Ace tanks, their factory is really backed up and most containers I asked about were 6-8 week lead time.

 

[Speed]

its my understanding that food safe containers should never be exposed to sunlight lest they become unsafe for food or in this case our water.

Personally, I'd throw up a curtain or some other light blocking device.

 

[dukduk]

I know it's been mentioned in this thread before but I have this brown slime on the cords of my aqueon pro heater and koralia. Using reef crystals, two 55 gal ace roto molds, mag 9.5, BRS chloramines deluxe RODI: 0 TDS

What the hell?

 

[Reef_Patrol]

Ragga,

Thanks for the feedback. I looked up the Ace Roto Molds and they have UV Stabilizers within the polyethylene to protect it from exposure to the sun. I think I will go with just putting something on the tanks to stop the light from hitting them that way I can keep some of the natural sunlight lighting the basement.

 

[RockyMtnReef]

I have used reef crystals for years. Best salt out there as far as I am concerned. It does leave a residue in the storage tank for some reason however it never has been an issue in terms of the heath of the livestock. At least for me anyway. I am in the build process for a new tank and plan to use RC again.

 

[bla403]

Does anyone else hate the dripping sound they get from their manual float valves when the container is filling? Anyone have any solutions for that? My water change container is "portable" so I move it next to the tank but the dripping is killing me!

 

[dukduk]

is this brown residue a slime though? its pretty nasty and it stinks as well

bla403, dripping sound not a big deal for me my set up is in the laundry room

 

[hifters1]

Reef_Patrol

Blain's in Woodstock has them on sale. I have a 65 gal vertical if you want to see. I set up my water station using 55 g drums from a guy in Huntley. I sent a PM if you would like to see.

 

[RockyMtnReef]

is this brown residue a slime though? its pretty nasty and it stinks as well

bla403, dripping sound not a big deal for me my set up is in the laundry room

I never had a true nasty slime. More of a brownish calcium type deposit that formed over time. Maybe your water is off? Sounds like possibly a silicate/diatom issue? Will let the experts here chime in.

 

[zachts]

is this brown residue a slime though? its pretty nasty and it stinks as well

Check your RO/DI source for nutrients It may be build up of bacteria consuming nutrients in the water. I get a small amount of brown slime build up in containers over time but it's harmless bacteria generally and nothing to worry about. If it smells though you've got other problems. Does your container get exposed to light in any amount?

 

[Midnightt]

I had that before. It is a little bit from to much nutrients and lighting. Fairly easy to get rid of though. Do weekly water changes. But, first brush it off the rocks and make sure you sift it off the sand. Monitor you lighting hours also.

 

[Redman88]

Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

Started on my water change station. Need to take it over to my father in laws and weld up a push bar and a few support rails

 

[dukduk]

Check your RO/DI source for nutrients It may be build up of bacteria consuming nutrients in the water. I get a small amount of brown slime build up in containers over time but it's harmless bacteria generally and nothing to worry about. If it smells though you've got other problems. Does your container get exposed to light in any amount?

Yes, my wife forgets the light on to the laundry room all the time.

I had that before. It is a little bit from to much nutrients and lighting. Fairly easy to get rid of though. Do weekly water changes. But, first brush it off the rocks and make sure you sift it off the sand. Monitor you lighting hours also.

Its in my ASW mix tank

 

[Cymonous]

I see all of these nice saltwater mixing stations, but wonder what everyone does to get the old saltwater out of their tanks/sumps? I have been using one powerhead for mixing and another small pump for getting water out of my sump and moving the pump to my bucket of new water to pump back to my tank.

 

[shifty51008]

I have a T comming off my return pump that goes directly to the drain so when I need to drain water I open a ball valve and away it goes.

 

[wcharon]

At least i siphon out from the tank with a hose and with a pump put water back thru the sump.