Water Containers
- Thread starter chem368
- Start date
woodwrangler
New member
There's also tanknbarrel for water storage, and I've been told they've opened a new location in Tempe. On my list to go check them out. I didn't know about Fimco, and they're right down the street, thanks ur.
Don't hold out on us Chem, what pumps did you order, and what're your plans?
Don't hold out on us Chem, what pumps did you order, and what're your plans?
Fimco is awesome, try really do have every tank you could imagine. I picked up two of two 65 Gal vertical tanks and a couple water heater stands to set them on.
I heard about tanknbarrel recently too, but didn't know about the tempe location, east mesa was too far for a casual visit... That being said, I asked Fimco about them while I was there and they said Fimco are tanknbarrel's wholesaler and sell all their tanks to them so I can't imagine their prices would be much lower than what Fimco sells to the public.
Here is the pump I just ordereed:
http://www.lockewell.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_30_33&products_id=160
Plan to hook the pump to my Apex and target either 1 gal per day or 2 every other day (System is only ~80 gal). Water storage and is in the garage and I tank is just on the other side of the wall but the water storage is on the wrong side of the garage so I need to run about 50+ ft of tubing and I read these pumps work great for that distance and are setup so the head difference from input vs. output won't cause a difference in water exchanged.
I found the plans and info about the pumps in this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824&highlight=stenner+pump
I'm pretty excited to get this up and running, water changes are my least favorite thing about reefing... plus after sloshing water all over the house last weekend I had enough and decided to pull the trigger.
I'll try to get some photos up once the pump is here and I start plumbing it all.
I heard about tanknbarrel recently too, but didn't know about the tempe location, east mesa was too far for a casual visit... That being said, I asked Fimco about them while I was there and they said Fimco are tanknbarrel's wholesaler and sell all their tanks to them so I can't imagine their prices would be much lower than what Fimco sells to the public.
Here is the pump I just ordereed:
http://www.lockewell.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_30_33&products_id=160
Plan to hook the pump to my Apex and target either 1 gal per day or 2 every other day (System is only ~80 gal). Water storage and is in the garage and I tank is just on the other side of the wall but the water storage is on the wrong side of the garage so I need to run about 50+ ft of tubing and I read these pumps work great for that distance and are setup so the head difference from input vs. output won't cause a difference in water exchanged.
I found the plans and info about the pumps in this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824&highlight=stenner+pump
I'm pretty excited to get this up and running, water changes are my least favorite thing about reefing... plus after sloshing water all over the house last weekend I had enough and decided to pull the trigger.
I'll try to get some photos up once the pump is here and I start plumbing it all.
woodwrangler
New member
Awesome! Can't wait to see some pictures, and thanks for the links. I need to check out Fimco.
I'm in the process of setting up AWC as well, and was planning to go the litermeter route, but started looking at cole-parmer pumps on eBay; I understand the Stenners are another great way to go.
I've got 300' of RO tubing coming from usplastics, as I've got a 90' run from storage to display and planning to do AWC and ATO. Also ordered another EB4, and long aquabus cable on order to add control of the storage tank room via Apex 90' away.
What're you programming code plans for the Apex?
I'm in the process of setting up AWC as well, and was planning to go the litermeter route, but started looking at cole-parmer pumps on eBay; I understand the Stenners are another great way to go.
I've got 300' of RO tubing coming from usplastics, as I've got a 90' run from storage to display and planning to do AWC and ATO. Also ordered another EB4, and long aquabus cable on order to add control of the storage tank room via Apex 90' away.
What're you programming code plans for the Apex?
I almost went with the LM3 option, I really love Spectrapure and it being local is also a plus, but this was a bit cheaper (not by much) but more importantly it can run through Apex and the LM3 is programmed in the unit its self and I really like having all the control in one place.
Haven't got to the code planning stages but figure a simple OSC code for the pump to pull some water every few hours.
Then incorporate a float switch to also kill the pump if the fresh SW tank goes empty to prevent pulling water out of my tank without replacing it. Since my ATO is currently running separaetly that would cause me to dump a bunch of fresh water in if that occurred (I could get a salinity probe too, thinking about it).
Really plan to think this through though as I want it to be a fail proof as possible as I know I will certainly forget to make water at some point...
I see myself incorporating my ATO into all this at some point, but wanted to nail down the AWC first before I added one more layer of complexity.
I still need to order tubing, but worst case I figured I could swing by spectrapure if things got here sooner than anticipated.
I didn't think of running a bus bus cable to the water station, I like that idea much better than extension cords running back to my apex and through the wall... didn't know they had cables that long. Need to look into those options, thanks for the heads up.
Haven't got to the code planning stages but figure a simple OSC code for the pump to pull some water every few hours.
Then incorporate a float switch to also kill the pump if the fresh SW tank goes empty to prevent pulling water out of my tank without replacing it. Since my ATO is currently running separaetly that would cause me to dump a bunch of fresh water in if that occurred (I could get a salinity probe too, thinking about it).
Really plan to think this through though as I want it to be a fail proof as possible as I know I will certainly forget to make water at some point...
I see myself incorporating my ATO into all this at some point, but wanted to nail down the AWC first before I added one more layer of complexity.
I still need to order tubing, but worst case I figured I could swing by spectrapure if things got here sooner than anticipated.
I didn't think of running a bus bus cable to the water station, I like that idea much better than extension cords running back to my apex and through the wall... didn't know they had cables that long. Need to look into those options, thanks for the heads up.
woodwrangler
New member
I don't have it all planned out just yet, but my plan is to use some solenoid valves (with basic float backup) to fill the fresh RO container level. Hence the need for the EB4, because it has all mechanical outlets for lower draw components. I plan to have 2 float switches in the RO container that will trigger the solenoids to activate the RO systems to maintain levels in the topoff water tank. Solenoid valves from http://www.stcvalve.com/Process_Valves.htm?gclid=COKLyf6Nr6wCFQZThwod8G6KHQ or autotopoff.
Extended Aquabus cable: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-apex-xxg.html
I'm with ya on the failsafe, which is why I'm planning float switches, solenoid valves, and traditional mechanical floats as backups. I'd really like to control everything from the apex, so I'll have to take a good look at the 50+ page link you sent, and consider stenner instead of spectrapure. It's just so tough to look away from a proven, and local, company like spectra
Extended Aquabus cable: http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-apex-xxg.html
I'm with ya on the failsafe, which is why I'm planning float switches, solenoid valves, and traditional mechanical floats as backups. I'd really like to control everything from the apex, so I'll have to take a good look at the 50+ page link you sent, and consider stenner instead of spectrapure. It's just so tough to look away from a proven, and local, company like spectra
saintsnsinners
New member
chem, how were their prices?
Seemed pretty close to what I was finding online (minus the shipping of course).
If I recall they had 55Gal Verticals with a 3/4" bulk head for ~$100 adn 65 Gal Vertical with 1 1/4" bulk head for ~$125.
They didn't have to much smaller than 55 Gal in vertical containers, but do have other options if you want less that 55.
If I recall they had 55Gal Verticals with a 3/4" bulk head for ~$100 adn 65 Gal Vertical with 1 1/4" bulk head for ~$125.
They didn't have to much smaller than 55 Gal in vertical containers, but do have other options if you want less that 55.
m-six hundred
The Most Diabolical Hater
Can you post pictures of what you picked up
Don't have anything setup yet as I still have water in the brute cans and I am waiting on my pumps and need to pick up my plumbing.
This is what I grabbed. The water heater stands are 16" tall, went that path as I know they will be rated for the weight as a water heater is the same size, plus I like the look over big 2x4s.
CoralReefBoffin
New member
Careful using outsourced USB cables, in place of Neptune AquaBus cables, as many extended length options are NOT COMPATIBLE with your Apex hardware ...
saintsnsinners
New member
usb cables with repeaters shouldn't be used. all other usb cables should be fine.
Any thoughts on a good way to clean out new containers like this to make sure everything is safe? I have a pressure washer I was going to use, but was wondering if people use a 1:20 bleach to water solution or anything like that? Filling with vinegar seems a little out of the question due to the size...
Anyone with past experience with what is safe?
Anyone with past experience with what is safe?
saintsnsinners
New member
Some bleach or white vinegar wouldn't hurt. don't need a lot.
did they have containers with gallon markers?
did they have containers with gallon markers?
urbaneks
New member
The ones that I purchased were 50g vertical and they have gallon markers every 5 gallons. Pretty much all of the containers they have do have some makers on them.
Yes, the containers to have gallon markers every 5 Gal. Tough to see in the photos, but if you look close at the pic with just the one container in it, you can see them there. I will likely run a sharpe over them so they are easier to read.
