Water Mixing Suggestions

[Elricsfate]

I'm just looking for thoughts, in case I am overlooking something.

I am planning to have a reasonably sized container hooked into my RODI and run an ATO (either that or plumb it right to the sump). I am also planning to have a good size (40-50 gallon) container of salt water, and use the Neptune DOS to do regular, automated water changes.

Given that...is there some reason I actually need to set up a "mixing station" with plumbing and pumps and hoses and such, as you see all over Youtube?

It seems to me that a 5-10 gallon fresh water container and a 40-50 gallon saltwater container would do the trick.

Yes, I understand that if I go RODI straight to the sump I'll get some TDS creep. That's why I'm thinking of using a 5 gallon bucket with float switches.

But my point here is...as far as I can figure...I don't need an elaborate mixing station setup.

Do I?

Thanks in advance

 

[nmotz]

I'm just looking for thoughts, in case I am overlooking something.

I am planning to have a reasonably sized container hooked into my RODI and run an ATO (either that or plumb it right to the sump). I am also planning to have a good size (40-50 gallon) container of salt water, and use the Neptune DOS to do regular, automated water changes.

Given that...is there some reason I actually need to set up a "mixing station" with plumbing and pumps and hoses and such, as you see all over Youtube?

It seems to me that a 5-10 gallon fresh water container and a 40-50 gallon saltwater container would do the trick.

Yes, I understand that if I go RODI straight to the sump I'll get some TDS creep. That's why I'm thinking of using a 5 gallon bucket with float switches.

But my point here is...as far as I can figure...I don't need an elaborate mixing station setup.

Do I?

Thanks in advance

No you won't need an elaborate mixing station. Most people don't have big fancy setups like that and do just fine. Obviously, it's nice to have certain luxuries in this hobby, but most people don't have the kind of money to build large mixing stations. Almost everyone I know mixes saltwater for water changes in a bucket and stores RO/DI in a Brute trash can or similar container.

I have a 2 gallon bucket and a 3 gallon bucket for my WCs (just pour in the RO/DI and salt, stir til it's mixed) and a 30 gallon container to hold RO/DI. I have a sensor that confirms TDS readings on my RO/DI unit. Most people would agree that this is a perfectly safe and normal setup. Best of luck to you!

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

No fancy setup needed, like already said they do provide conviniences which is why people who have them are willing to pay so much for their nice setups. I simply stored RODI in 5 gallon buckets and mixed in salt a day or so before a water change. Did this for years until maybe a month ago. With my new house, I finally had space for a mixing station, though it's not fancy. Just a 44gallon Brute for RODI and 44gallon Brute for saltwater. I have a $15 submersible pump and hose that I use to keep the saltwater circulating, and one for pumping out RODI when needed. It's nice to have plenty of both ready to go, and the wife appreciates me not constantly making RODI from the kitchen sink like I used to.

In the end, the fish and coral won't know if the water was mixed in a bucket with a ladle or if it was mixed in a 200 gallon saltwater storage tank.

 

[rjjr1963]

A mixing station sure makes life easier. I have 3 20gallon QT's and a 40DT with a 115 on the way. I couldn't maintain them all mixing manually. I keep 40g of salt water and 40g RODI ready to for for any emergency. Space is one of the limiting factors but it wasn't really that expensive to set up.

 

[FLSharkvictim]

FLSharkvictim's Saltwater Mixing Station rough draft

FLSharkvictim's Saltwater Mixing Station rough draft

Just got done doing a sketch of my Saltwater mixing station! Now it's time to start ordering the material from Bulk Reef supply. I still need to make some minor tweaks done but that's about it.

Here is my list of material, to complete my project:
2 44 gallon Brute Cans
10 Cinder Blocks
1'' pcs of plywood for stand
1 Pan World PX-40
1 RODI 4 stage system
1 webcam
1 Float Valve
1 Heater
4 Cepex Ball Valves - 1''
1 Spears Gate Valve - 1''
3 Uniseals - 1''
4 Uniseals - 1/2''
3 TEES slip x slip - 1''
3 90's slip x slip - 1''
2 58'' length RED PIPE Sch 40
3 1'' 90° Elbow Barb x Spigot (Street)
4 1/2" 90° Elbow Barb x Spigot (Street)
8ft Braided tubing 1/2''
25 ft Braided tubing 1''
Inbird heating Digital Temperature Controller Control Thermostat + Sensor
Model #ITC-306T

 

[cincyjim]

I have a very similar setup. My only suggestion would be to add a pipe to the first barrel in case you want to move water from one to the other. It's not necessary but it might come in handy one day. I attached a picture of mine so you can see what I'm referring to. My first barrel is my mixing barrel and the second one is mixed saltwater that is used for my continuous water change. With the pipe I mentioned I can mix both barrels if need be. I also have a timer on the pump which comes on every 4 hours for 30 minutes to stir the mixed saltwater up just for good measure. There's also a power head in each barrel to keep the water moving. I don't use a heater in either barrel. My water is added from 12:00 noon to 8pm. Doing it this way doesn't affect the tanks water temp and my ATO doesn't come on when the water is being drawn from the sump.

 

[Xandernfs]

Just out of curiosity, how long is mixed water good for? I'm only going to be doing a 65g and don't know how much I'll be needing barrels like what has been posted.

 

[cincyjim]

It really depends on the salt. I use Reef Crystals and I do get some residue but nothing alarming as I churn the water with the pump every 4 hours which I believe eliminates some of this. There are some salts that can be stored for a long time but honestly I don't know the brands because I'm pretty happy with the Reef Crystals.

 

[ktownhero]

You don't need anything elaborate but I will tell you that having water stored (both fresh and salt) is extremely helpful. All you need are a couple brute trash cans and a cheap pump like an MJ1200 to hook up to a python to pump water to the tank. Or any variation of that. You can always add more pumps or plumbing later but you don't need all of that. Just 2 containers and a pump to mix salt and deliver water. You can use one pump for many purposes you'll just get your arms a little wet

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[Xandernfs]

You don't need anything elaborate but I will tell you that having water stored (both fresh and salt) is extremely helpful. All you need are a couple brute trash cans and a cheap pump like an MJ1200 to hook up to a python to pump water to the tank. Or any variation of that. You can always add more pumps or plumbing later but you don't need all of that. Just 2 containers and a pump to mix salt and deliver water. You can use one pump for many purposes you'll just get your arms a little wet

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

My issue is that my water will be down in the basement and my tank will be on the main floor. I can't do the garage since I live in the midwest. So it looks like i'll probably be making trips up and down.

OP, I've been looking at some pretty interesting mixing stations on youtube.

 

[ktownhero]

My issue is that my water will be down in the basement and my tank will be on the main floor. I can't do the garage since I live in the midwest. So it looks like i'll probably be making trips up and down.

OP, I've been looking at some pretty interesting mixing stations on youtube.

Either use buckets or get a super long hose to attach to a solid pump. Water changes and emergencies are a lot more pleasant to deal with when they simply involve dunking some buckets and carrying them around rather than scrambling to make new salt water. It takes the same amount of time to make 30 gallons of salt water at once as 5 except you do it far less frequently. I also find that I'm much more inclined to do my water changes because they are so easy. It's easy to skip a WC because you are tired or busy when it involves mixing water on demand.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[cincyjim]

You don't need anything elaborate but I will tell you that having water stored (both fresh and salt) is extremely helpful. All you need are a couple brute trash cans and a cheap pump like an MJ1200 to hook up to a python to pump water to the tank. Or any variation of that. You can always add more pumps or plumbing later but you don't need all of that. Just 2 containers and a pump to mix salt and deliver water. You can use one pump for many purposes you'll just get your arms a little wet ��

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I agree that my setup is more than the average person needs. For me, with work and other commitments, having the continuous water change system (with the Apex DOS), it takes a fair amount of stress away and frees up time to enjoy the tank and hobby. I would say you use what is best for you and your tank.

 

[Elricsfate]

Just got done doing a sketch of my Saltwater mixing station! Now it's time to start ordering the material from Bulk Reef supply. I still need to make some minor tweaks done but that's about it.

Here is my list of material, to complete my project:
2 44 gallon Brute Cans
10 Cinder Blocks
1'' pcs of plywood for stand
1 Pan World PX-40
1 RODI 4 stage system
1 webcam
1 Float Valve
1 Heater
4 Cepex Ball Valves - 1''
1 Spears Gate Valve - 1''
3 Uniseals - 1''
4 Uniseals - 1/2''
3 TEES slip x slip - 1''
3 90's slip x slip - 1''
2 58'' length RED PIPE Sch 40
3 1'' 90° Elbow Barb x Spigot (Street)
4 1/2" 90° Elbow Barb x Spigot (Street)
8ft Braided tubing 1/2''
25 ft Braided tubing 1''
Inbird heating Digital Temperature Controller Control Thermostat + Sensor
Model #ITC-306T

Why do you need a webcam on a mixing station?

 

[Civicman86]

I have a very similar setup. My only suggestion would be to add a pipe to the first barrel in case you want to move water from one to the other. It's not necessary but it might come in handy one day. I attached a picture of mine so you can see what I'm referring to. My first barrel is my mixing barrel and the second one is mixed saltwater that is used for my continuous water change. With the pipe I mentioned I can mix both barrels if need be. I also have a timer on the pump which comes on every 4 hours for 30 minutes to stir the mixed saltwater up just for good measure. There's also a power head in each barrel to keep the water moving. I don't use a heater in either barrel. My water is added from 12:00 noon to 8pm. Doing it this way doesn't affect the tanks water temp and my ATO doesn't come on when the water is being drawn from the sump.

Where did you purchase your tanks at?

 

[cincyjim]

The one on top is a 35g and I got that locally at Tractor Supply. The two on the bottom are 25g each and I got them at Plastic Mart.