Salt Water Mixing Stations Let's See Them

[wcharon]

Please provide link.

Originally Posted by zachts

I'll have a build thread eventualy (partly documented on the AWC twin head pump thread). Not to one up you............but..........

.........mine is also a mobile auto water change station!

Water change pump is not installed on the cart yet, but that's why the mixing pump is set off to one side like it is, to leave room.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by wcharon

Please provide link.

Info on the AWC part to date is on here somewhere:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2349824

up and running just not integrated with the mixing station yet.

[wcharon]

Thanks... Looking for ideas....

Originally Posted by zachts

Info on the AWC part to date is on here somewhere:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2349824

up and running just not integrated with the mixing station yet.

[Johnseye]

I'm about to build a water station and am wondering what size tanks to get. My DT is 110G and my sump is about 35G. I'm guessing the size of the tanks only impacts the frequency I need to fill them and mix salt. I was thinking two 40G tanks. Any recommendations from the experienced?

Thanks

[ElmoC]

How big of a water change do you do? You know the tanks have to be at least that big, plus some extra. I do weekly 5 gallon changes on my system (about 30 gallons total) and use two 20 gallon tanks. Depending on who you ask, you will get various opinions on how long mixed SW can be kept. If you are fine keeping mixed water around for awhile, then probably the biggest tanks you can utilize. Otherwise, something just bigger than you need for a water change. As for the RO/DI storage, as long as the tank is not wide open exposed to air, it seems okay to keep plenty of that around.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by ElmoC

How big of a water change do you do? You know the tanks have to be at least that big, plus some extra. I do weekly 5 gallon changes on my system (about 30 gallons total) and use two 20 gallon tanks. Depending on who you ask, you will get various opinions on how long mixed SW can be kept. If you are fine keeping mixed water around for awhile, then probably the biggest tanks you can utilize. Otherwise, something just bigger than you need for a water change. As for the RO/DI storage, as long as the tank is not wide open exposed to air, it seems okay to keep plenty of that around.

In addition to automated continuous ATO I was thinking of a daily 1G change. My understanding is that more frequent changes are better. That would mean in a 40G tank the mixed water sits for about 38 days or so and with a 25G tank it sits for about 23 days or so.

[ElmoC]

ATO uses the RO/DI water so that wouldn't come out of your SW mix. You might want to go with the smaller SW storage since you will be doing the small water changes.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by ElmoC

ATO uses the RO/DI water so that wouldn't come out of your SW mix. You might want to go with the smaller SW storage since you will be doing the small water changes.

Correct, I would have two tanks. RO/DI on top gravity feeding the SW below.
Why would the small water changes impact the size of the tank unless I were doing larger changes and needed a tank with capacity to do a larger change?

I'm really looking at duration of storage. Either 23 or 38 days. Otherwise I could use a 5G bucket for 5 days worth of changes.

I think it comes down to how often I want to be mixing salt. Unless there are factors to consider in storing SW 38 vs. 23 days.

[ElmoC]

Smaller water changes would mean you don't need as much on hand at once. How long and much SW you keep around is up to you. I normally go through my 20 gallons in a few weeks so I don't mind keeping it around. Some people claim, and I think the type of salt you use, that the alk/mag/calc levels will drop the longer you keep it around. I haven't really noticed any difference in any parameter with my storage. Levels are the same 24hrs after mixing as they are two weeks later. The size of storage tank would depend more on which camp you are in concerning long term storage of SW.

[Johnseye]

I decided on a black 40G for RODI and black 25G for SW.

Also a Spectrapure Litermeter 3 dosing pump, a remote pump module, and a UPLC II ATO with G6 top off control module.

This should allow for automated ATO as well as SW changes from these reservoirs. The only thing I'm not automating yet is making new RODI water. I can, but figure since I'm going to have to mix salt every 23 days or so it's not necessary. I may change my mind once this is up and running.

Really looking forward to not having to replace evaporated water manually every couple days, not having to do larger weekly water changes and having a more healthy and clean tank through new SW water regularly being introduced.

[SchnitzelReef]

-2-65g barrels
-150gpd ro/di with dual di canisters
-Jebao 12000 DC mixing pump
-Schedule 80 Spears ball valves
-1" PVC plumbing
-DIY stand with 2 water heater stands from Home Depot

[zachts]

silly tapatalk, couldn't see the pics

very nice, I wish I lived where it didn't freeze and I could locate all my fish room crap outside!

Originally Posted by SchnitzelReef

-2-65g barrels
-150gpd ro/di with dual di canisters
-Jebao 12000 DC mixing pump
-Schedule 80 Spears ball valves
-1" PVC plumbing
-DIY stand with 2 water heater stands from Home Depot

[zachts]

Finally finished. Automatic transfer of RO/DI at the flip of a switch. flip another switch for mixing (not in the pic as I had to add it latter, forgot about needing to disable the high water transfer float after filling saltwater container in order to mix) and in it's normal run position controls continous (well several times a day anyway) water changes via a remote mounted multi-head pump.

Eventually I'll hook up to RO/DI resivoir for top off water as it is auto filling when it gets low. Just need to run more wire and get another pump set up for that part.

Enjoy.

[OsiViper]

MkmM..

[mrkalel]

Originally Posted by mrkalel

...about 1/2 way done... (There's been more progress since these crappy cell phone pic)

Installing in the laundry room in basement about 12' away from my "Sump Room" (the room under my basement stairs)...Main tank on first; sump & show 72gal fuge in basement.

Just tired lugging 5gal buckets around my basement for changes and been wanting to do this for a loong time.

System should be able to pump either fresh or salt over to the sump room. Also can dump contents to drain in case of contamination. It will have a spout to fill a 5gal bucket if needed. Water level on RODI Tank and both containers will have emergency overflows to drain built in.

Will have a split in my RODI unit to 1 float switch in the Top container and another float switch in a smaller Top Off container in the the Sump room.

There is a waste line coming from Sump room to dump old water (using main return pump to push it over).

Quick stats:

2 * 44gal Brutes
Pan World 50PX-X
Tons of unions and Ball valve unions.

FYI: My basement ceilings are only 7' high, and even then I'm pretty sure I could've fit 2 55Gal Brute's stacked...so for those worried about height requirements for stacking Brute's...don't.

Saltwater Mixing Station by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Saltwater mixing station by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Finally getting around to post some crappy cell phone pics of the essentially finished project:

BTW this is how I connected my little utility sink...makes it completely removable as needed:

IMG_20140728_130650 by MrKal_El, on Flickr


This actually station pics:

IMG_20140608_104336 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_133837 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134035 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134229 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134253 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134357 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

IMG_20140728_134613 by MrKal_El, on Flickr


(post to follow due to pics per post limitation)

[mrkalel]

These are some pics of the plumbing done in the actually sump room. I split the feed line to either fill the tank or fill an ATO reserve container for RO/DI:

IMG_20140728_134718 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Here is the split off the main pumps return line that pumps dirty water to the utility sink back in the Mixing room:

IMG_20140728_134838 by MrKal_El, on Flickr

Lastly, the way the water is circulated in the Saltwater mixing bucket:

IMG_20140728_143435 by MrKal_El, on Flickr


Overall I am thrilled with station and how much labor and time I am saving. WISH I had done this earlier in my tanks life...

Still have some cleaning up to do, but overall the project was a huge success in my mind.

Thanks to everyone that posted and gave tips on these projects.

[joopie]

Here is my new setup: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2347695&page=3

[tclndcrz]

I am planning out my own mixing station. Why not have one tank? Fill with rodi water, add salt the night before a water change and mix 24hrs and then fill the tank. There would be some salt water left over in the tank but once topped off again would be slightly brackish. Why have a non salt tank? I would be running auto top off straight from the rodi filter with 3 fail safes for the sump.

[zachts]

Originally Posted by tclndcrz

I am planning out my own mixing station. Why not have one tank? Fill with rodi water, add salt the night before a water change and mix 24hrs and then fill the tank. There would be some salt water left over in the tank but once topped off again would be slightly brackish. Why have a non salt tank? I would be running auto top off straight from the rodi filter with 3 fail safes for the sump.

More efficeint RO/DI for one, cleaner more pure water for top off. Also not having to wait a day or so to fill the tank for water changes. Never know when you'll need the extra water for an emergency.....

[fltekdiver]

After reading all 34 pages, I ordered 2 new mixing containers, and moved my mixing station from inside the garage 50' away, into the closet next to my 180. I also have a 60 rimless SW tank in the next bedroom over, so I added a valve, going to order a 50' RV hose, and fill the 60 rimless also from the new SW mixing station

The tall container is a 75 for mixing. I have a Jebao WP40 power head inside it, and I ran a Tee Inside it as well, off the pump, one for mid level mixing, and the bottom 12" off the bottom, so it stirs any salt off the bottom

The smaller container is my RO container, which will fill the 180 sump off my Apex
The 60 rimless RO container, will have to fill it off the pump

I used 1-1/4" PVC Scud 40, because the return pump was 1-1/4" and dropped down to 1" which will then drop down to 3/4" for the RV hose to fill both tanks when doing water changes

Inside the tall 75, I dropped down from 1-1/4" to 3/4" on the TEE for more pressure, and left the 1-1/4" run down to 12" off the container bottom

Just water tested everything, a small leak at the threads of the return pump, which I'll fix now


The return pump is a Reef Octopus DC5500 , which was the return pump running my 180
I moved it over to the mixing station, and bought a brand new Reef Octopus RO-DC5500
return pump for my 180

Still a work in progress, but glad to be able to share some pics now

[mrkalel]

Looking great...

[fltekdiver]

I'm having a hard time finding a 50 foot hose

How about something like this to fill the tanks?

It will stay inside next to the tanks, it will never be left outside, since the SW mixing tank is now in the closet next to my reef tank:

http://www.amazon.com/Teknor-Apex-86...e+hose+50+feet

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-22853-Pr...e+hose+50+feet

[lnevo]

I ordered 100' of 1/2" flex hose at flexpvc.com. Was a good deal. I needed about 70' from basement to tank and 30 from tank to toilet.

[fltekdiver]

I looked at flexpvc. I went into HD and Lowes, which I think is the same vinyl tubbing

It was pretty rigid and stiff

They want like $100 for 5/8 in 100' role Flexpvc

[icebrg5]

goto a local store and find the size you need then get it from eBay.

I got 1/2 ID 5/8 OD hose 100ft for $45 shipped and it's the same quality as what lowes had.