Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

[mrkalel]

These are some pics of the plumbing done in the actually sump room. I split the feed line to either fill the tank or fill an ATO reserve container for RO/DI:

IMG_20140728_134718 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Here is the split off the main pumps return line that pumps dirty water to the utility sink back in the Mixing room:

IMG_20140728_134838 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Lastly, the way the water is circulated in the Saltwater mixing bucket:

IMG_20140728_143435 by MrKal_El, on Flickr


Overall I am thrilled with station and how much labor and time I am saving. WISH I had done this earlier in my tanks life...

Still have some cleaning up to do, but overall the project was a huge success in my mind.

Thanks to everyone that posted and gave tips on these projects.

 

[joopie]

Here is my new setup: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2347695&page=3

 

[tclndcrz]

I am planning out my own mixing station. Why not have one tank? Fill with rodi water, add salt the night before a water change and mix 24hrs and then fill the tank. There would be some salt water left over in the tank but once topped off again would be slightly brackish. Why have a non salt tank? I would be running auto top off straight from the rodi filter with 3 fail safes for the sump.

 

[zachts]

I am planning out my own mixing station. Why not have one tank? Fill with rodi water, add salt the night before a water change and mix 24hrs and then fill the tank. There would be some salt water left over in the tank but once topped off again would be slightly brackish. Why have a non salt tank? I would be running auto top off straight from the rodi filter with 3 fail safes for the sump.

More efficeint RO/DI for one, cleaner more pure water for top off. Also not having to wait a day or so to fill the tank for water changes. Never know when you'll need the extra water for an emergency.....

 

[fltekdiver]

After reading all 34 pages, I ordered 2 new mixing containers, and moved my mixing station from inside the garage 50' away, into the closet next to my 180. I also have a 60 rimless SW tank in the next bedroom over, so I added a valve, going to order a 50' RV hose, and fill the 60 rimless also from the new SW mixing station

The tall container is a 75 for mixing. I have a Jebao WP40 power head inside it, and I ran a Tee Inside it as well, off the pump, one for mid level mixing, and the bottom 12" off the bottom, so it stirs any salt off the bottom

The smaller container is my RO container, which will fill the 180 sump off my Apex
The 60 rimless RO container, will have to fill it off the pump

I used 1-1/4" PVC Scud 40, because the return pump was 1-1/4" and dropped down to 1" which will then drop down to 3/4" for the RV hose to fill both tanks when doing water changes

Inside the tall 75, I dropped down from 1-1/4" to 3/4" on the TEE for more pressure, and left the 1-1/4" run down to 12" off the container bottom

Just water tested everything, a small leak at the threads of the return pump, which I'll fix now


The return pump is a Reef Octopus DC5500 , which was the return pump running my 180
I moved it over to the mixing station, and bought a brand new Reef Octopus RO-DC5500
return pump for my 180

Still a work in progress, but glad to be able to share some pics now

 

[mrkalel]

Looking great...

 

[fltekdiver]

I'm having a hard time finding a 50 foot hose

How about something like this to fill the tanks?

It will stay inside next to the tanks, it will never be left outside, since the SW mixing tank is now in the closet next to my reef tank:

http://www.amazon.com/Teknor-Apex-8...-16&keywords=Drinking+water+safe+hose+50+feet

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-22853-P...464599&sr=8-1&keywords=Drinkable+hose+50+feet

 

[lnevo]

I ordered 100' of 1/2" flex hose at flexpvc.com. Was a good deal. I needed about 70' from basement to tank and 30 from tank to toilet.

 

[fltekdiver]

I looked at flexpvc. I went into HD and Lowes, which I think is the same vinyl tubbing

It was pretty rigid and stiff

They want like $100 for 5/8 in 100' role Flexpvc

 

[icebrg5]

goto a local store and find the size you need then get it from eBay.

I got 1/2 ID 5/8 OD hose 100ft for $45 shipped and it's the same quality as what lowes had.

 

[fltekdiver]

Thanks, how do you know if the clear vinyl has anything in it to harm the fish
Any reason not to use the hoses from amazon?

 

[Raoul5Duke]

Spray bar or not?

Spray bar or not?

I was wondering what people have had the best results from, making a spray bar or just using a straight piece of pvc to the bottom of the mixing container? I drilled holes in the pvc pipe that is in my container, but if feels like there is minimal pressure coming out of the holes. I'm wondering if the saltwater will mix as well?

Couple of pics of my station:






Two 80 gallon containers run off a Mag 9. The whole unit is connected to a Genisis Reef System for automated water changes.

 

[mrkalel]

I'm having a hard time finding a 50 foot hose

How about something like this to fill the tanks?

It will stay inside next to the tanks, it will never be left outside, since the SW mixing tank is now in the closet next to my reef tank:

http://www.amazon.com/Teknor-Apex-8...-16&keywords=Drinking+water+safe+hose+50+feet

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-22853-P...464599&sr=8-1&keywords=Drinkable+hose+50+feet

I bought this NeverKink from Amazon...Only $20 vs $35 for the one you listed since it's 1/2" instead of 5/8"...but I will tell you for your use this would work perfectly.

I'm using mine to hook up my RODI supply to a source further away.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007UQ2N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[fltekdiver]

I bought this NeverKink from Amazon...Only $20 vs $35 for the one you listed since it's 1/2" instead of 5/8"...but I will tell you for your use this would work perfectly.

I'm using mine to hook up my RODI supply to a source further away.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007UQ2N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! That's what I was waiting to hear

I'll order it now, and have it in 2 days with Prime Shipping

PS, theirs no anti bacterial stuff in the hose right? I didn't see any on the packaging

 

[mrkalel]

Thanks! That's what I was waiting to hear

I'll order it now, and have it in 2 days with Prime Shipping

PS, theirs no anti bacterial stuff in the hose right? I didn't see any on the packaging

Nope....at least nothing listed.

 

[zachts]

Nope....at least nothing listed.

Possibly brass in the connection. I'd never use a garden hose on my tank! Plenty of people do but I'll never risk it. only things that are for sure safe contain no metal what so ever! on the imput side of the RO/DI it's fine but don't use to put water into you tank or RO/DI storage tank.

 

[palmerit]

Possibly brass in the connection. I'd never use a garden hose on my tank! Plenty of people do but I'll never risk it. only things that are for sure safe contain no metal what so ever! on the imput side of the RO/DI it's fine but don't use to put water into you tank or RO/DI storage tank.

Realistically, you probably have a bigger concern with the copper plumbing in your house, than this. That said, I do what I can to eliminate any chance of heavy metals getting to my tank, and I think this is solid advice.

 

[zachts]

Realistically, you probably have a bigger concern with the copper plumbing in your house, than this. That said, I do what I can to eliminate any chance of heavy metals getting to my tank, and I think this is solid advice.

It is only an issue if used after the RO/DI.(the filter will remove it) Brass fittings contain enough copper to cause havoc in an established reef tank if used to transfer water directly without filtration to remove the metals.......inverts are incredibly sensitive to any minuscule amount of copper in the water. Sea water has some copper but such a small amount it cannot even be tested for with normal testing methods, well below 1 part per million (380 ng/L in seawater roughly).

The RV hose itself is probably fine, but I'd not risk it without knowing what it is exactly made of, just cause it is safe for humans doesn't mean it is safe for our tanks.......

 

[fltekdiver]

I was going to remove the brass fittings and put a valve on it anyway

I've read plenty of people using RV/Boat hoses with no issues, as long as it doesn't have any anti bacterial in the hose

flexpvc is over $100.00 for 5/8 ID hose clear vinyl

I went into HD and lowes, but their clear vinyl has a burst pressure of 30-40 psi on their clear vinyl

The braided vinyl hose from HD is to rigid, that's what I'm using now, and it's a pain to work with

SO what type of hose are you guys using?

I don't see any issues filling a tank, with the filling station inside the house, where the hose will never see daylight, using a RV hose as long at you cut the ends off and put plastic ones one, and it doesn't have anti-bacterial in the hose

 

[mrkalel]

I was going to remove the brass fittings and put a valve on it anyway

I've read plenty of people using RV/Boat hoses with no issues, as long as it doesn't have any anti bacterial in the hose

flexpvc is over $100.00 for 5/8 ID hose clear vinyl

I went into HD and lowes, but their clear vinyl has a burst pressure of 30-40 psi on their clear vinyl

The braided vinyl hose from HD is to rigid, that's what I'm using now, and it's a pain to work with

SO what type of hose are you guys using?

I don't see any issues filling a tank, with the filling station inside the house, where the hose will never see daylight, using a RV hose as long at you cut the ends off and put plastic ones one, and it doesn't have anti-bacterial in the hose

Yeah.... I def see no issues esp if you are removing the brass ends...