Water change process question... How do YOU do it?

[Thinslis]

This question is for those out there who are like me and have to move their water from the RO/DI unit to some other location to mix and change, and then transport the waste water to a dump location. Do you use the same container for your waste water?

Here is why I ask...

My process has been: Fill 35g BRUTE trash can and wheel it into sump room. Empty fresh RO/DI water into 55g mixing tank. Once water is ready for change. I pump dirty water into a 35g RUBERMAID trash can and wheel it into the bathroom and pump into the tub.

However, today my Rubermaid trashcan sprung a leak. So my question is, should I continue to use two seperate containers so they BRUTE can does not get contaminated with the waste water or does it really not matter?

The BRUTE also transports my topoff water as well. Honestly a Rubermaid trash can is what? $20? So it wouldn't be hard to replace.

 

[BlazedDiamonds]

I use same container for both, give it a rinse afterwards with fresh water and store it for the next use. No problems for me in six months. Mainly, just whatever is easier for you. This is just my opinion though.

 

[phenom5]

I would (and do) have a bucket for "dirty" SW, "clean" SW, and RO/DI FW. Of course, I'm operating on a much smaller scale than you are, so take that FWIW.

 

[SaltyDr]

I have "dirty" buckets (used pool chlorine tablets) and "clean" buckets (old salt buckets) but I think if you rinse out your "dirty" contaner, it should be fine. You could use that $20 to buy a nice frag...

 

[JUNI0R]

I use the same 5 gallon bucket for clean and dirty saltwater. I figure if I do a 10% water chagne I am mixing the clean salt water with 90% dirty salt water anyways (when I put it in my tank) so what harm will the water present in the bucket do anyways. I haven't seen any issues with it. I do keep my ro/di water in separate dedicated containers though.

 

[AquaReeferMan]

Ok this is how I do things. I have a 40g SYSCO food grad trash can which is used for my NSW and a 50g drum with filtered water. I pump water into the trash can and mix my salt into it. I let it sit for 24-48 hours before going into my tank. I use a wet-dry vac to remove old water from my sump. This helps me monitor how much water I remove and also gets any detritus out from my sump. Once I remove enough water I pump my NSW in.

 

[Thinslis]

I don't mind the idea of using just 1 container to move the water, however I think I would get lazy and not rinse after I empty out dirty water =(

 

[thedoctor06]

I have my RO /DI storage in a 44g brute can in the basement. I spiphon water into "dirty" buckets, then dump down a drain. I always have 30g of premixed water in a rubbermaid tub. I throw a powerhead wih a tube on it into that tub, and pump new water the 20 feet to the tank.