Coolers for Salt Mixing

Soggy Frito

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So, been doing research on a salt mixing station and am considering building one with coolers. Please tell me why:
A. It's a great idea, you did it and it's awesome
B. It's a bad idea, I am a knucklehead
C. You're going to grab a drink, some chips, and see what happens

I have limited space where I plan to build my mixing station, so the Brute cans or big drums are out. I was in Bass Pro recently and saw the big Igloo coolers and a light bulb went off. I could stack them on top of each other, use the drain fitting as a discharge, big open lid for ease of adding salt / cleaning, food grade materials, etc. The big ones (in the store - certainly more options online) would hold ~30 gallons, which is about my goal and they cost less than a 30gal "tank". I'd have to drill and seal up a couple holes for RODI fill and possibly return piping, but would have to do that with whatever vessel I used.

So, anyone done this before? Any good reason not to try it? Appreciate any ideas!
 

KrisReef

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I'm leaning toward a solid C.

Have you ever tried to get a beer out of the bottom cooler?
Beers Fridge GIF by Busch Beer
Otherwise, I was thinking you were trying to hook up a chiller (cooler) to a Brute salt mixing station and I'm going back to my chips now. The container should work fine, otherwise, as long as you can get it sealed properly.
 
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Soggy Frito

Soggy Frito

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So, moved ahead with the project and here is the result. Tested it in the garage for leaks, but that is it so far. Still need to install a float switch in the lower cooler for the RODI inlet. @KrisReef -you are right, getting a beer out of the bottom cooler will be tough, will have to finish the top cooler first...:face-with-tears-of-joy:
However, I did put in a couple of unions to help with disassembly.
 

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Fish Fan

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Looks good!

How did you seal the pipe to the cooler?
 
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Soggy Frito

Soggy Frito

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Coolers had a 3/4" threaded outlet. So, I used a 3/4" threaded ball valve. I then used a thread to slip adapter to go to the pipe. Everything is either thread w/ teflon tape or glued PVC.
 

DO YOU THINK TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ARE MORE HELPFUL OR HURTFUL TO REEFING?

  • More helpful.

    Votes: 59 42.4%
  • More hurtful.

    Votes: 5 3.6%
  • I think it depends mostly on the technology.

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  • I think it dependsmostly on the reefer behind the technology.

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