Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

[zachts]

Just sharing my build in progress, nothing special here besides it being on wheels, got all the pvc work done today and only had to bend one piece to make it all fit, yay!

After some more assembly (float switches and what not) it will allow for automated water changes and mixing process. Everything short of dumping in the salt just by pressing a button and flipping a switch.

 

[Redman88]

Just sharing my build in progress, nothing special here besides it being on wheels, got all the pvc work done today and only had to bend one piece to make it all fit, yay!

After some more assembly (float switches and what not) it will allow for automated water changes and mixing process. Everything short of dumping in the salt just by pressing a button and flipping a switch.

we should start a thread for mobile mixing stations

 

[adamwheel]

Here's mine. I'm in a quad level, so need to move the water 50 ft for changes. This saved my arse. I installed Ikea cabinets and countertops. I can fill buckets if needed. That's the loc-line. It's been in use for 6 months and works great. I have all quick disconnect hose adaptors for water changes.


Here's the plumbing. True Unions allow for cleaning (probably not totally necessary)


The main attraction: All waste water enters the Brute trash can to be used for laundry. Overflow to laundry tub if it fills entirely. I have a Sicce pump that I/my wife use to fill the washing machine. It is controlled by a wireless control/button next to the washing machine.


I had to build a stand for the trash can to raise the level for the overflow.

Cheers,

Adam

 

[zachts]

we should start a thread for mobile mixing stations

I'll have a build thread eventualy (partly documented on the AWC twin head pump thread). Not to one up you............but..........

.........mine is also a mobile auto water change station!

Water change pump is not installed on the cart yet, but that's why the mixing pump is set off to one side like it is, to leave room.

 

[wcharon]

Totally agreeeeeee... I have to build one but need more ideas....

Please make it happen.....

we should start a thread for mobile mixing stations

 

[wcharon]

Please provide link.

I'll have a build thread eventualy (partly documented on the AWC twin head pump thread). Not to one up you............but..........

.........mine is also a mobile auto water change station!

Water change pump is not installed on the cart yet, but that's why the mixing pump is set off to one side like it is, to leave room.

 

[zachts]

Please provide link.

Info on the AWC part to date is on here somewhere:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824

up and running just not integrated with the mixing station yet.

 

[wcharon]

Thanks... Looking for ideas....

Info on the AWC part to date is on here somewhere:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824

up and running just not integrated with the mixing station yet.

 

[Johnseye]

I'm about to build a water station and am wondering what size tanks to get. My DT is 110G and my sump is about 35G. I'm guessing the size of the tanks only impacts the frequency I need to fill them and mix salt. I was thinking two 40G tanks. Any recommendations from the experienced?

Thanks

 

[ElmoC]

How big of a water change do you do? You know the tanks have to be at least that big, plus some extra. I do weekly 5 gallon changes on my system (about 30 gallons total) and use two 20 gallon tanks. Depending on who you ask, you will get various opinions on how long mixed SW can be kept. If you are fine keeping mixed water around for awhile, then probably the biggest tanks you can utilize. Otherwise, something just bigger than you need for a water change. As for the RO/DI storage, as long as the tank is not wide open exposed to air, it seems okay to keep plenty of that around.

 

[Johnseye]

How big of a water change do you do? You know the tanks have to be at least that big, plus some extra. I do weekly 5 gallon changes on my system (about 30 gallons total) and use two 20 gallon tanks. Depending on who you ask, you will get various opinions on how long mixed SW can be kept. If you are fine keeping mixed water around for awhile, then probably the biggest tanks you can utilize. Otherwise, something just bigger than you need for a water change. As for the RO/DI storage, as long as the tank is not wide open exposed to air, it seems okay to keep plenty of that around.

In addition to automated continuous ATO I was thinking of a daily 1G change. My understanding is that more frequent changes are better. That would mean in a 40G tank the mixed water sits for about 38 days or so and with a 25G tank it sits for about 23 days or so.

 

[ElmoC]

ATO uses the RO/DI water so that wouldn't come out of your SW mix. You might want to go with the smaller SW storage since you will be doing the small water changes.

 

[Johnseye]

ATO uses the RO/DI water so that wouldn't come out of your SW mix. You might want to go with the smaller SW storage since you will be doing the small water changes.

Correct, I would have two tanks. RO/DI on top gravity feeding the SW below.
Why would the small water changes impact the size of the tank unless I were doing larger changes and needed a tank with capacity to do a larger change?

I'm really looking at duration of storage. Either 23 or 38 days. Otherwise I could use a 5G bucket for 5 days worth of changes.

I think it comes down to how often I want to be mixing salt. Unless there are factors to consider in storing SW 38 vs. 23 days.

 

[ElmoC]

Smaller water changes would mean you don't need as much on hand at once. How long and much SW you keep around is up to you. I normally go through my 20 gallons in a few weeks so I don't mind keeping it around. Some people claim, and I think the type of salt you use, that the alk/mag/calc levels will drop the longer you keep it around. I haven't really noticed any difference in any parameter with my storage. Levels are the same 24hrs after mixing as they are two weeks later. The size of storage tank would depend more on which camp you are in concerning long term storage of SW.

 

[Johnseye]

I decided on a black 40G for RODI and black 25G for SW.

Also a Spectrapure Litermeter 3 dosing pump, a remote pump module, and a UPLC II ATO with G6 top off control module.

This should allow for automated ATO as well as SW changes from these reservoirs. The only thing I'm not automating yet is making new RODI water. I can, but figure since I'm going to have to mix salt every 23 days or so it's not necessary. I may change my mind once this is up and running.

Really looking forward to not having to replace evaporated water manually every couple days, not having to do larger weekly water changes and having a more healthy and clean tank through new SW water regularly being introduced.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

-2-65g barrels
-150gpd ro/di with dual di canisters
-Jebao 12000 DC mixing pump
-Schedule 80 Spears ball valves
-1" PVC plumbing
-DIY stand with 2 water heater stands from Home Depot

 

[zachts]

silly tapatalk, couldn't see the pics

very nice, I wish I lived where it didn't freeze and I could locate all my fish room crap outside!

-2-65g barrels
-150gpd ro/di with dual di canisters
-Jebao 12000 DC mixing pump
-Schedule 80 Spears ball valves
-1" PVC plumbing
-DIY stand with 2 water heater stands from Home Depot

 

[zachts]

Finally finished. Automatic transfer of RO/DI at the flip of a switch. flip another switch for mixing (not in the pic as I had to add it latter, forgot about needing to disable the high water transfer float after filling saltwater container in order to mix) and in it's normal run position controls continous (well several times a day anyway) water changes via a remote mounted multi-head pump.

Eventually I'll hook up to RO/DI resivoir for top off water as it is auto filling when it gets low. Just need to run more wire and get another pump set up for that part.

Enjoy.

 

[OsiViper]

MkmM..

 

[mrkalel]

...about 1/2 way done... (There's been more progress since these crappy cell phone pic)

Installing in the laundry room in basement about 12' away from my "Sump Room" (the room under my basement stairs)...Main tank on first; sump & show 72gal fuge in basement.

Just tired lugging 5gal buckets around my basement for changes and been wanting to do this for a loong time.

System should be able to pump either fresh or salt over to the sump room. Also can dump contents to drain in case of contamination. It will have a spout to fill a 5gal bucket if needed. Water level on RODI Tank and both containers will have emergency overflows to drain built in.

Will have a split in my RODI unit to 1 float switch in the Top container and another float switch in a smaller Top Off container in the the Sump room.

There is a waste line coming from Sump room to dump old water (using main return pump to push it over).

Quick stats:

2 * 44gal Brutes
Pan World 50PX-X
Tons of unions and Ball valve unions.

FYI: My basement ceilings are only 7' high, and even then I'm pretty sure I could've fit 2 55Gal Brute's stacked...so for those worried about height requirements for stacking Brute's...don't.

Saltwater Mixing Station by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Saltwater mixing station by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Finally getting around to post some crappy cell phone pics of the essentially finished project:

BTW this is how I connected my little utility sink...makes it completely removable as needed:

IMG_20140728_130650 by MrKal_El, on Flickr


This actually station pics:

IMG_20140608_104336 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_133837 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134035 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134229 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134253 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134357 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134613 by MrKal_El, on Flickr


(post to follow due to pics per post limitation)