Show me your auto top off / holding tanks / saltwater mixing systems on large setups
- Thread starter AquariumObsessed
- Start date
Heres my 215g mixing/water change tank.
It uses a sedra 900 for mixing until i need to do a water change, then i just close off a valve and open another to feed to the sump.
The problem i had with this was, to plumb the feed line to the sump i had to bring the plumbing down under a doorway, this ended up leaving me with a line that was always filled with water.
I didnt like that idea of feeding the week old water in the line into the sump everytime i did a water change, so i added a venturi line to the intake of the sedra.
Now, after the waterchange i just open the little blue valve and it sucks all the water out of the line back into the mixing tank.
Marc.
It uses a sedra 900 for mixing until i need to do a water change, then i just close off a valve and open another to feed to the sump.
The problem i had with this was, to plumb the feed line to the sump i had to bring the plumbing down under a doorway, this ended up leaving me with a line that was always filled with water.
I didnt like that idea of feeding the week old water in the line into the sump everytime i did a water change, so i added a venturi line to the intake of the sedra.
Now, after the waterchange i just open the little blue valve and it sucks all the water out of the line back into the mixing tank.
Marc.
moonpod
Premium Member
For top off relatively simple.
I use a triple redundant solenoid topoff system hooked directly to my RODI.
I am in the process of installing a 50g tank not to far from the tank. I will premix the new water in the tank. I have a drain already installed and I have marked off 50g in the sump. I blow the detritus and stuff around inside the tank, drain to the 50g mark and then add in 50g
I use a triple redundant solenoid topoff system hooked directly to my RODI.
I am in the process of installing a 50g tank not to far from the tank. I will premix the new water in the tank. I have a drain already installed and I have marked off 50g in the sump. I blow the detritus and stuff around inside the tank, drain to the 50g mark and then add in 50g
I like this one for water changes, it was on last month's TOTM:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/totm/index.php
direct link for more pics and details:
http://www.weatherson.com/saltwater_mixing.htm
Honey
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/totm/index.php
direct link for more pics and details:
http://www.weatherson.com/saltwater_mixing.htm
Honey
LOTUS50GOD
Active member
My iwaki 70 is too much for my tank so I blow off the excess to either the water changer 45 gallon tub or the refrugium.
There is a durso in the 45 gallon tub that keeps the water level.
To do a water change I close the ball valve going to the sump, and open the ball valve for the blow off to send the excess to the refrugium instead of the water changer.
I then use a 2md to pump the water from the 45 gallon to a drain in the garage.
Next turn on the RO/ DI unit to fill the 45 gallon, then use the same 2md to mix the salt water in closed loop.
Once the salinity is right.... turn off pump.... insert durso... open ball valve to sump... .close ball valve to redirect excess back to 45 gallon tub.
There is a durso in the 45 gallon tub that keeps the water level.
To do a water change I close the ball valve going to the sump, and open the ball valve for the blow off to send the excess to the refrugium instead of the water changer.
I then use a 2md to pump the water from the 45 gallon to a drain in the garage.
Next turn on the RO/ DI unit to fill the 45 gallon, then use the same 2md to mix the salt water in closed loop.
Once the salinity is right.... turn off pump.... insert durso... open ball valve to sump... .close ball valve to redirect excess back to 45 gallon tub.
Princess Di
New member
I use four of the blue 55 gallon food grade barrels pictured in cward's post. You can get them at most granges or feed stores. I have two that are hooked up to RO/DI units with float valves. I use the the other two for mixing saltwater and doing water changes.
Wow... I won't post a pic, lest I have to change my username to GhettoMac. 
I have a DIY Kalk Rxr from 6" PVC and a rubbermaid bucket on the ground I fill up manually every few days. Dosing pump draws water from the rubbermaid and doses the Rxr every 10 minutes.
Freed, et al., I've seen those containers for sale from AquaticEcosystems and USPlastics. Laird plastics might also be able to help, and has a lot of Regional stores in the Eastern US.
- Mac
I have a DIY Kalk Rxr from 6" PVC and a rubbermaid bucket on the ground I fill up manually every few days. Dosing pump draws water from the rubbermaid and doses the Rxr every 10 minutes.
Freed, et al., I've seen those containers for sale from AquaticEcosystems and USPlastics. Laird plastics might also be able to help, and has a lot of Regional stores in the Eastern US.
- Mac
Try www.lss.com I got two 55 gal drums marked in 5gal incriments.
Silencer
New member
Here is mine. I have two 44g Brutes on a platform that sits on an unused bathtub. My RODI is on a small ledge behind them. I have a 1/4" adapter and valve on each lid that is connected to the RODI output so all I have to do is open the valve to fill that container. Easy as can be. The waste water goes to the bathtub and in the lower left I have the RO only output for drinking water containers.
I use these for mixing too and have a 200w heater and a Rio Hyperflow 12hf (750gph) for this purpose. I also use the Hyperflow to transfer water to and from my tank via a 50ft length of 1" spaflex that has the appropriate adapter glued into one end.
I all works quite well so there isn't really anything I would change with it.
I use these for mixing too and have a 200w heater and a Rio Hyperflow 12hf (750gph) for this purpose. I also use the Hyperflow to transfer water to and from my tank via a 50ft length of 1" spaflex that has the appropriate adapter glued into one end.
I all works quite well so there isn't really anything I would change with it.
brandonberry
New member
I bought several 55g drums out in the countryside for $5/each. I've seen quite a few places that sell them. The ones I got were used to store denatured grain alcohol which is sprayed on tobacco. Others have toxic residues in them, so if you buy them, make sure that whatever was in them can be cleaned out thouroughly. My father runs a soft drink business and the drums he gets have an extremely concentrated cleaning agent in them. I would never attempt to use them. 55g drums are much cheaper and stronger than most trash cans.
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