Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

[beatle]

Bump for more designs.

For those using Brute trash cans as reservoirs, how do you measure the amount of water in each container if you're not using the trick "coffee maker" indicator, which is awesome.

 

[serpentman]

Here is my RO storage tank. It was custom made from polypropylene and holds about 80g. I run both my ATO and SW mixing from it. Every Friday I fill up a 40g brute on wheels and pre-mix my SW for the next day's water change. However, I am looking into a 100g SW holding tank.

 

[IRISSERVICE]

nice thread...

 

[rick12]

great thread. my understanding is that the brute trash cans are food grade plastic (and therefore do not leach phosphates), where the rubbermaid containers are not foodgrade.

I haven't had any measurable phosphate in any of them. I have seen the recent thread on this issue and have been wondering. I'm more worried about my refuge and ato containers. They are small Rubbermaid trash cans. I will try and measure the water for po4 tonight or tomorrow.

 

[ToLearn]

Free shipping is hard to beat. I bought these from a friend of Los's locally. Thank goodness.

I noticed you were in Maryland not too far from me, was curious if you could share your source.

 

[Everyones Hero]

I noticed you were in Maryland not too far from me, was curious if you could share your source.

x2. Prices on these storage tanks is ridiculous.

 

[Los]

I noticed you were in Maryland not too far from me, was curious if you could share your source.

I am SO SORRY for not replying earlier. I didn't realize that I was asked a question on this thread. Anyway, here's where I bought them:

http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=913

I am very, very happy with these tanks. Water changes are a piece of cake. If you check out my build thread, which I admittedly haven't updated in a while, you can see the details of how it's incorporated into my system and how the water changes work. If you live near Salisbury, I'd be happy to show you in person.

Cheers!

 

[Camel413]

Just wanted to say that I was really untrusting of those uniseals when I first heard people on here talk about them. I ordered some and when I got them I understood a bit better how they worked. Trust me they are very thick, high grade rubber. Once I saw them in person I was not a bit afraid to use them without the fear of leaks.

Just wanted to say this for anyone that was skeptical of using uniseals.

 

[ToLearn]

I was reading back through and saw this.

great thread. my understanding is that the brute trash cans are food grade plastic (and therefore do not leach phosphates), where the rubbermaid containers are not foodgrade.

Look on the rubbermaid website. The Brutes come in a whole slew of colors. The grey ones at home depot and Lowes are food grade and fine for reef tanks.

 

[ToLearn]

Los you have a PM.

 

[connecticut cichlids]

I believe the food grade brutes are ( grey, yellow, and white )

 

[ToLearn]

If you check out my build thread

....

I would like to do so, but not sure where it is.

Never mind found it.

 

[stormrider27]

I have a question about setting up my 100 gallon (two 50 gallon barrels plumbed together) salt water reservoir. Once the salt is mixed properly will I need to:

1. Keep the water mixing continuously?
2. Mix it a couple times a week?
3. Mix it a couple times a day?
4. No need to further mix?

Also should I keep the water aerated?

A 100 gallons will equal about two months of automatic water changes.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[grinner30]

I have a question about setting up my 100 gallon (two 50 gallon barrels plumbed together) salt water reservoir. Once the salt is mixed properly will I need to:

1. Keep the water mixing continuously?
2. Mix it a couple times a week?
3. Mix it a couple times a day?
4. No need to further mix?

Also should I keep the water aerated?

A 100 gallons will equal about two months of automatic water changes.

Thanks,
Mark

Bump on these questions!

 

[talwen]

A really good place to find barrels locally is at feed stores for animals or food storage places that way you dont have to pay shipping my grandma just got 100 gallon one for under $100 at the feed store hope this helps

 

[digitalchrisg]

Craigslist is also good, there is some guy in my area that sells 55gallon ones for $20.

 

[Jmason95]

I have a question about setting up my 100 gallon (two 50 gallon barrels plumbed together) salt water reservoir. Once the salt is mixed properly will I need to:

1. Keep the water mixing continuously?
2. Mix it a couple times a week?
3. Mix it a couple times a day?
4. No need to further mix?

Also should I keep the water aerated?

A 100 gallons will equal about two months of automatic water changes.

Thanks,
Mark

I would throw a small powerhead in each barrel and leave them on 24/7. I mix 50 gallons at a time - 5 gallon water changes per week. I have a Maxi-Jet 900 which I leave running in my barrel.

 

[mth1993]

I am looking at automating my manual water change process right now but the focus of this tank has been minimize electricity (within reason) water volume is 2x old tank but monthly elec is down $5 not huge but still waiting for led to come down in price to replace t-5's

I have noticed large pumps in most of the setup's, my plan is to use two mag 5's to pump the ro and salt for top off and change. They would only run when the water is being pumped. The top off water is not that much so no heater in it and the water change will heat only the day before and day of the change.

To keep the water mixing and fresh, I want to just use an air stone in each tank. Is this ok?

my other question is i have noticed in the past the RO water storage seems to get slimie after a week or so. Do I have to worry about this? I normally do and it wastes a lot of water.

Thank you

Mike

 

[beatle]

I would use something more than an airstone to mix the water. A Koralia evolution would get the job done well. They're very efficient. The 750 uses only 4.5w.

When I eventually plumb my ATO and automatic water changes via a litermeter, I don't plan on heating either reservoir. The amount of water pumped into the system will be insignificant enough not to impact the temp of the tank.

 

[digitalchrisg]

When I eventually plumb my ATO and automatic water changes via a litermeter, I don't plan on heating either reservoir. The amount of water pumped into the system will be insignificant enough not to impact the temp of the tank.

Just remember to take the temperature into account when you are mixing the salt. I do the samething with not heating the water and doing a slow drip in with the changes, but have already calibrated the amount of salt to put in to water and just repeat.