Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

Im looking at this thread and see so much cool stuff that i want NOW. :lol


I want to get a small station set-up going for my 20 gallon tank but i want it to be expandable for when i finally get a 65 gallon tank. Im thinking about getting two Brute Containers and hooking them together. I dont have a RODI unit yet or an ATO or a sump to pump it to. Just want to keep water on hand so i dont have to go to the store every week. I havent really seen a parts list, just pics and some basic descriptions so ...


Whats a basic parts list for this setup with expandable in mind? Must haves? Good things to not skimp on?
 
I'd say best thing to do, is scroll through the pages and list some info. Most people wont respond to this, unfortunately. Look for stuff that will fit your needs and go from there. I'm almost done with my mixing station and its for a 100G mixed reef!

Good luck,
Greg

davehead86 said:
Im looking at this thread and see so much cool stuff that i want NOW. :lol


I want to get a small station set-up going for my 20 gallon tank but i want it to be expandable for when i finally get a 65 gallon tank. Im thinking about getting two Brute Containers and hooking them together. I dont have a RODI unit yet or an ATO or a sump to pump it to. Just want to keep water on hand so i dont have to go to the store every week. I havent really seen a parts list, just pics and some basic descriptions so ...


Whats a basic parts list for this setup with expandable in mind? Must haves? Good things to not skimp on?
Click to expand...
 
Ok. So lets try this.

1. What is a good pump to have to move water from the RODI Brute Container to the Mixing Brute Container? Not pumping to any tanks or sumps, just between containers.

2. How does the pump get hooked up to pump from the RODI Container to the Mixing Container, is there an inlet side and outlet side of the pump?

3. Do I need to use schedule 80 or 40 plumbing? Is there any difference between them? What diameter piping should I buy.

4. Is it necessary to drain from the bottom of the containers or will the mixing aggitate enough for that?

5. How do you plumb these pipes into these containers? Are these uniseals everyone speaks of that easy to install? Do we use caulking on them to prevent leaking, do we just use the plumbers glue onto the plastic containers?

6. How long is saltwater good for if I have a powerhead and a heater running in the container? Do I need an airstone too?
 
davehead86 said:
Ok. So lets try this.

1. What is a good pump to have to move water from the RODI Brute Container to the Mixing Brute Container? Not pumping to any tanks or sumps, just between containers.
Click to expand...
Just about anything, too many to list, for a 32gal brute setup something with 500 to 1000gph should suffice. I used a Mag 5 as I had one already and it works fine but a Mag 7 would have been preferable I think.

2. How does the pump get hooked up to pump from the RODI Container to the Mixing Container, is there an inlet side and outlet side of the pump?
Click to expand...
this is what I did, otherwise just skim thru the pics on this thread for other ideas, there's no one way to make it work.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9292&pictureid=64366

3. Do I need to use schedule 80 or 40 plumbing? Is there any difference between them? What diameter piping should I buy.
Click to expand...
either one it doesn't matter, only difference is the pressure ratings which we will never come close to reaching in an aquarium application. whatever is cheaper. pipe diameter would depend on your pump connections, pick a pump and go from there.

4. Is it necessary to drain from the bottom of the containers or will the mixing aggitate enough for that?
Click to expand...
You don't have to drain from the very bottom, thru the side is fine, but you would wan't it near the bottom. direct the output of the pump into the mixing container down with an elbow so it agitates things well rather than just straight thru the side. Some run the line back down inside the mixing container so there is less splashing.

5. How do you plumb these pipes into these containers? Are these uniseals everyone speaks of that easy to install? Do we use caulking on them to prevent leaking, do we just use the plumbers glue onto the plastic containers?
Click to expand...
Uniseals are probably the easiest and most popular, they just press fit to create the seal. make sure to use the specified size drill bit though. Bulkheads work well also but you'd need to mount them so the area of the container can flex enough to create a flat area around the hole in order to seal right, I like the heavy duty bulk heads if you go that route but they cost a lot more than uniseals.

6. How long is saltwater good for if I have a powerhead and a heater running in the container? Do I need an airstone too?
Click to expand...
Until you use it up in most cases. an air stone is useful if you are doing large water changes or if you find your water starts to smell stale without one. Some salt mixes will be better than others for long storage, avoid any with organics or higher than seawater levels of minerals or nutrients as they will just settle out or grow bacteria in the container. I've used plain old instant ocean for a very long time with great success. I take about a month to go thru a 32gal container of salt water.
 
Great info, thanks!!

zachts said:
Just about anything, too many to list, for a 32gal brute setup something with 500 to 1000gph should suffice. I used a Mag 5 as I had one already and it works fine but a Mag 7 would have been preferable I think.

this is what I did, otherwise just skim thru the pics on this thread for other ideas, there's no one way to make it work.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9292&pictureid=64366

either one it doesn't matter, only difference is the pressure ratings which we will never come close to reaching in an aquarium application. whatever is cheaper. pipe diameter would depend on your pump connections, pick a pump and go from there.

You don't have to drain from the very bottom, thru the side is fine, but you would wan't it near the bottom. direct the output of the pump into the mixing container down with an elbow so it agitates things well rather than just straight thru the side. Some run the line back down inside the mixing container so there is less splashing.

Uniseals are probably the easiest and most popular, they just press fit to create the seal. make sure to use the specified size drill bit though. Bulkheads work well also but you'd need to mount them so the area of the container can flex enough to create a flat area around the hole in order to seal right, I like the heavy duty bulk heads if you go that route but they cost a lot more than uniseals.


Until you use it up in most cases. an air stone is useful if you are doing large water changes or if you find your water starts to smell stale without one. Some salt mixes will be better than others for long storage, avoid any with organics or higher than seawater levels of minerals or nutrients as they will just settle out or grow bacteria in the container. I've used plain old instant ocean for a very long time with great success. I take about a month to go thru a 32gal container of salt water.
Click to expand...
 
Another question.

The Mag 5 pump that I am going to purchase has a 1/2 inch outlet pipe. Is this adequate size for the water being moved? Should I increase the pipe size to 3/4 or an inch? Is this even necessary? 1/2 inch everything sure is cheaper.
 
davehead86 said:
Another question.

The Mag 5 pump that I am going to purchase has a 1/2 inch outlet pipe. Is this adequate size for the water being moved? Should I increase the pipe size to 3/4 or an inch? Is this even necessary? 1/2 inch everything sure is cheaper.
Click to expand...


I'm making mine now and used a mag 7 (got a great deal and I'm pumping the water 15 feet to the tank. I used 1/2 -3/4 fittings and am using 3/4 PVC. To refill the ato and sump in using 1/2" clear hose. I'll post pics when done
 
gregrocks79 said:
lol me?! Cuz that is where I got the mag 7 from hahaha :bounce3::lolspin::wave:

Gonna start the build this Friday night!
Click to expand...

OH MY GAWWDDD. Im so mad i didnt jump on that earlier. :furious: Well at least its going to someone on here.

Post pics of the build so I can copy it / see if I have anymore questions. I probably have the knowledge and skill to do it, just a lck of confidence because of the unknowns.
 
Here she is. All done!!

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bekkenmusic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/C0775397-A6F6-4185-95BC-65F64389E0E4_zpsgblu6cas.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/bekkenmusic/Mobile%20Uploads/C0775397-A6F6-4185-95BC-65F64389E0E4_zpsgblu6cas.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C0775397-A6F6-4185-95BC-65F64389E0E4_zpsgblu6cas.jpg~original"/></a>

Currently mixing 20g of salt and got 20g RODI on standby!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
gregrocks79 said:
Here she is. All done!!

<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bekkenmusic/media/Mobile%20Uploads/C0775397-A6F6-4185-95BC-65F64389E0E4_zpsgblu6cas.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/bekkenmusic/Mobile%20Uploads/C0775397-A6F6-4185-95BC-65F64389E0E4_zpsgblu6cas.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo C0775397-A6F6-4185-95BC-65F64389E0E4_zpsgblu6cas.jpg"/></a>

Currently mixing 20g of salt and got 20g RODI on standby!
Click to expand...
Is the pump supported so that the whole thing rolls as one?
 
Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

No, not yet. The pump is supported. Just no wheels yet. But I only have the rollers for if / when I need to move it and to have it up higher. The hose reaches the tank so no need to move it for now


BeachBum2012 said:
Is the pump supported so that the whole thing rolls as one?
Click to expand...
 
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