Finally made a mixing tank... (1 Viewer)

[CCrescini]

I've had a big set of tanks for making RODI water and my auto-top off, but for all this time, I've been mixing saltwater in five gallon jugs by hand. I finally got tired of it, and built a mixing/filling station. I have to say, it is really nice to be able to do a water change, and have the corals not even close up. I can siphon water out as I'm refilling, and use the valves to adjust the rate. Aside from running the tank to get the salt dissolved, a twenty gallon water change took less than ten minutes. I'm very happy with it.

 

[rparker2112]

Where does the "old" water go?

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

 

[CCrescini]

I'm still just siphoning it into buckets. I never found that to big too big of a hassle. Besides that, I was afraid with a long hose of dirty tank water running to a nearby sink, I would end up dropping it and spill a bunch of water.

Is that the same tank you had the gift certificate for?

 

[Nickig23]

I have a similar one my husband built me. It has heaters for winter time, a pump for mixing and an air stone inside the 50gal drum. On the outside an external filter, to keep the water clean and oxygenated. Has switches to turn on and off. It stays in the garage hooked up to the water hose until I need it. Has the fresh water tank too, for top offs. Love it! Everyone needs one in their home, it's a time saver.

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[Lord Spice]

Dang that thing is no joke !!

 

[Nickig23]

Thanks. It really does make a difference on water change days. I can get two 20gal water changes done in the same hour, but I usually split the big tanks on separate days, and do one dt and one hospital tank on the same day. The only thing I don't have yet is a di filter : / I'm looking for a used one to add onto it.


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[hankintexas]

I've had a big set of tanks for making RODI water and my auto-top off, but for all this time, I've been mixing saltwater in five gallon jugs by hand. I finally got tired of it, and built a mixing/filling station. I have to say, it is really nice to be able to do a water change, and have the corals not even close up. I can siphon water out as I'm refilling, and use the valves to adjust the rate. Aside from running the tank to get the salt dissolved, a twenty gallon water change took less than ten minutes. I'm very happy with it.

Looks real nice. Want to come over one weekend, drink some beers and help me put one together?

Where did you get your tank, Tractor Supply?

Hank

 

[kgk]

I have put some thought into a cart setup as well.

I think the best price/performance option for the cart is probably a garden wagon/cart from harbor freight. The wheels are big enough to easily navigate door jambs or porches if you have any (I do).
Steel Mesh Deck Utility Wagon
Steel Mesh Deck Wagon

I have not exactly determined what barrels/tanks to use. I want one to siphon the "old" water into, and one for the new water, so I will need two tanks. I could do something from Tank Depot/Tractor Supply or find something on Craigslist cheaper...

 

[Nickig23]

I used a utility wagon from Home Depot. I wish I could have gone with a bigger one but it would have been too wide for the door. Just beware even though this says it holds 600lbs or so, the axls in the front still broke. It's actually a bit more manageable now, but no matter what 500+ gallons of water is heavy to pull and push around a house and maneuver around corners.


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[CCrescini]

Looks real nice. Want to come over one weekend, drink some beers and help me put one together?

Where did you get your tank, Tractor Supply?

Hank

Sure, I can do that. I'll be out of town for a bit in the coming weeks, but I'd be happy to help after I get back. Of course, if you're anything like me, it will take that long to gather the supplies.

I did get my tank at Tractor Supply. I chose the 35 gal tank because I usually do 20 gal water changes on my 120, but they have bigger if you want/need.

 

[kgk]

Here is the tank I'm thinking about using on mine, if I can convince myself to spend this much:
Ace / DenHartog 20 Gallon Flat Bottom Utility Tank (A-SP0020-OM)
They also are kind of skinny & tall, which isn't exactly the shape I want.

Maybe a better idea is to use this:
Amazon.com : Vittles Vault II 40-Pound Clear Base Cranite Top : Pet Food Storage Products : Pet Supplies
Free shipping with Amazon Prime, holds about the same 20 gallons (14"x14"x24" minus the plastic thickness, whatever it is). This is probably what I'll start with.

I plan on having 2 tanks... one for new saltwater, one for water I have pumped out.



Figured I'd drop this here ... an interesting concept picture.
Reef Central Online Community - View Single Post - Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

 

[Nickig23]

My drum is a 50gal rain collector from Home Depot. I guess I'm lucky, I have enough tubing that one of my tanks I drain out the front door into the street. And the second out a nearby window into a French drain in the back yard that then flows out into the street in the front. Because there would be NO room for a second tank on mine.


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[harold]

I would have loved to have that rig years ago but now that I'm in my sixties I prefer to have the water come to me. I just did a 210 build and was fortunate to have a utility room behind the wall the tank sits against. I placed three 32 gallon tubs in the room, the first fed by a 150 gallon a day rodi with a float switch to keep it topped up. The second tank is my ato controlled by float switches in the tank sump. The third is salt water. One 1/2" line feeds from all three tanks to the sump. Valves control which tub feeds the tank. Easy to feed from the salt tub and have it controlled by the ato so I can syphon water out and have the sump refill at the same time. If you have room for the holding tanks in a remote location you might consider a small line running to the tank so you don't have to haul water back and forth. I wouldn't consider a used rodi unless you are pretty sure how much water has already been processed through it. They're only good for so much before they start to lose processing ability and replacing the filters, membrane and resin can run more than a new unit. If you have a need for multiple gallons a day I'd look for a new 120 to 150 gallon a day unit since they usually don't produce the advertised amount of water unless you have about 60 psi of water pressure.

 

[kgk]

I have tanks in my garage, but it's all the way across the house. No good way to get water to the tank ... I guess I could go through the attic but it's a really long run, and would be a pain to service.

 

[hankintexas]

Sure, I can do that. I'll be out of town for a bit in the coming weeks, but I'd be happy to help after I get back. Of course, if you're anything like me, it will take that long to gather the supplies.

I did get my tank at Tractor Supply. I chose the 35 gal tank because I usually do 20 gal water changes on my 120, but they have bigger if you want/need.

Well, Let me know when you are back in town........

Hank