Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

[JBradford]

Lowes sells the adapter also. They are on the next isle over from our normal pvc items.

 

[mikenam]

Failed Salt water mixing station by Mike Ngo, on Flickr

My first attempt failed. Purchased a shelf from Lowes and I think it was rated for 200 or 175 lb per shelf. The container on top is a 25 gallon brute that held about 20 gallons on water. I looked online and the weight per 1 gallon of water was ~8.34lbs, so i figured i give it a try and hope that it holds. Well... it didn't. It might be because i had the brute on one side of the shelf and didn't distribute the weight, but the top legs gave out and collapse spilling all the RO water on my garage floor. I lowered the float valve and now it holding about 5 gallons of RO water. Hopefully it is able to hold with only 5 gallons.

Under the RO is 5 gallons for salt water mix. On the other side of my garage, i have another 25 gallon to collect waste water for plants and what ever else might need it. When it overflows, it drains out onto the side of my house.

 

[ps2cho]

Failed Salt water mixing station by Mike Ngo, on Flickr

My first attempt failed. Purchased a shelf from Lowes and I think it was rated for 200 or 175 lb per shelf. The container on top is a 25 gallon brute that held about 20 gallons on water. I looked online and the weight per 1 gallon of water was ~8.34lbs, so i figured i give it a try and hope that it holds. Well... it didn't. It might be because i had the brute on one side of the shelf and didn't distribute the weight, but the top legs gave out and collapse spilling all the RO water on my garage floor. I lowered the float valve and now it holding about 5 gallons of RO water. Hopefully it is able to hold with only 5 gallons.

Under the RO is 5 gallons for salt water mix. On the other side of my garage, i have another 25 gallon to collect waste water for plants and what ever else might need it. When it overflows, it drains out onto the side of my house.

Its only rated to that weight spread out, not in a concentrated area. If you put a thick piece of wood that spans the whole frame, it would probably work.

 

[ps2cho]

Where is the best place to find containers for this purpose? I would like to get 2 containers, approximately 25 gallons each to keep a small supply of salt and ro on hand in my garage.

Shipping online is insane....

Go to Norwesco website and search for local distributors. Then call the distributor store and check if they have X in stock and voila!

 

[mikenam]

Its only rated to that weight spread out, not in a concentrated area. If you put a thick piece of wood that spans the whole frame, it would probably work.

Thanks, I actually ended up doing just and reduced the amount of water down to around 10. It is holding up pretty nicely now. My tank is only around 50 gallons and is more than enough.

 

[SwirlyWirley]

I'm down to needing 2 55g containers. Shipping is outrageous, I've got my pump, valves and such ready. Can't seem to accept that I have to pay $230 in shipping!

 

[soulpatch]

Look at ruralking.com. They have containers and if the one you are looking for is over $99 bucks then the shipping is free. I have a 75 gallon drum from them that cost me $120 total a couple months ago...

 

[jason2459]

I've moved my sump and water station and decided to go super simple.

65 gallon brute for rodi water (rodi feeds to a float valve in it), 23 gallon slimjim for ATO, 55 gallon brute for saltwater automatic water changes.

29 gallon rubbermaid tote is next to the 55g new saltmix brute not in the picture.

Mag 18 in the 65g rodi brute and when I need to fill one of the other containers up I just plug it in. 23g ATO and 29 gallon tote takes less then a minute and the 55g new saltmix brute about a minute.

 

[JoeMomma]

Great thread with very useful information. I'll definitely be setting up one of these in my new home.

For those of you who incorporate a semi manual water change into the setup, how do you ensure you are getting the same volume of water out of your display/sump as what you are pumping in with you saltwater barrel?

 

[Johnseye]

So many great water stations. I just recently got back into reefing after being away since 2002. I'm starting to plan my water station.

Question for those in cold climate areas. Does anyone have their water station in an unheated area? If so, any trouble bring the water up to temp?

My ATO and SW reservoirs are in the basement and never heated. There's no point and it's a waste of electricity/money . ATO water is added to the tank in such small amounts it will never change the sump temp. Even if I change 20% of SW the temp only drops a degree or two which is fine provided I do it when the lights have already heated the tank up that much. I'll typically get a 3 degree swing in a day as I don't run a chiller.

 

[WLachnit]

Great thread with very useful information. I'll definitely be setting up one of these in my new home.

For those of you who incorporate a semi manual water change into the setup, how do you ensure you are getting the same volume of water out of your display/sump as what you are pumping in with you saltwater barrel?

I have a small mark on my DT that tells me how much to drain. Not sure if that answers your question.

 

[40gal]

What fittings are you all using for the water level indicator on the sides of your tanks? I can find plenty of 90° JG/push fittings but they all have MPT on the other end instead of a bulkhead style fitting.

I just picked up 2 78 gallon barrels and I'm looking forward to getting all my stuff set up.

 

[jason2459]

You looking for float switch?

I've got several of these
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/float-switch-horizontal-mount.html

 

[lnevo]

What fittings are you all using for the water level indicator on the sides of your tanks? I can find plenty of 90° JG/push fittings but they all have MPT on the other end instead of a bulkhead style fitting.



I just picked up 2 78 gallon barrels and I'm looking forward to getting all my stuff set up.

I used a 1/2" uniseal and then a slip to thread coupling with a 90 degree MPT to 1/2" barb

 

[Gezkovich]

Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

In progress. Plumbing under slab going to the sump

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[E.litvin]

Question that I've heard many difference answers on... Once you mix your salt water do you have to keep it circulating? Also, how long does everyone let their saltwater sit in the WC station? Thank you !!

 

[E.litvin]

I have a quick question. So I have my AWC station all set up and ready to go. I will be filling new tank in the next couple of days. What is everyone's opinion of when to start the AWC? It will be with a DOS and about 1.5 gals a night. Thanks and here are is a pic of my setup.

Really clean looking design, great work

 

[lennyd19]

Really clean looking design, great work

Thank you very much. To answer your question about storing NSW. I have a pump that is hooked up to APEX that turns on every hour for 15 min. The only problem I had was I had to black out my window in basement was starting to grow algae. Also I do not worry about temp.

 

[2wheelsonly]

 

[Johnseye]

Question that I've heard many difference answers on... Once you mix your salt water do you have to keep it circulating? Also, how long does everyone let their saltwater sit in the WC station? Thank you !!

I keep a small powerhead in my SW tank for circulation. It can sit as long as you need provided it's sealed without light penetration. At least that's been my experience.