Let’s Mix it Up! Designing and Using a Water Mixing Station

[HairyGary]

not sure i understand i just purchased the correct size bulkhead?

It was directed at @rhonotronics but the Ace Rotos come with 3/4” bulkheads and it looks like he has 1” pipes. I was just asking about the PVC piece between the bulkhead and the pipe.

 

[Bmezz]

It was directed at @rhonotronics but the Ace Rotos come with 3/4” bulkheads and it looks like he has 1” pipes. I was just asking about the PVC piece between the bulkhead and the pipe.

Well the good news is you can use bigger bulkheads up to 1" if u want to stay with 1" pipe. I think I used 3/4" for everything

 

[Leland Foley]

Thought I’d post a pic of using a 3/4” uniseal to put an Eheim 300watt heater at the bottom of my mixing tank. Works great. One tip is the uniseal calls for an 1.25” hole, which fits a bit loose for my liking. It doesn’t leak, but if I did it again I’d drill the hole a few mm smaller to make the uniseal, seal tighter against the heater.

 

[cccharliecc]

Is there any disadvantage to using 2 Brute 44 Gallon or 32 Gallon Garbage pails from Home Depot for this?
If so, where is the cheapest place to buy the NSF storage containers everyone has?

 

[dbl]

Is there any disadvantage to using 2 Brute 44 Gallon or 32 Gallon Garbage pails from Home Depot for this?
If so, where is the cheapest place to buy the NSF storage containers everyone has?

They work perfectly well and a lot less expensive.

 

[cccharliecc]

Yes, I see they are a lot less expensive!
Is there any issues with keeping water in them for a month or so with the tops on?

 

[dbl]

Yes, I see they are a lot less expensive!
Is there any issues with keeping water in them for a month or so with the tops on?

You can keep water in them until your hearts content. And yes, you'll want to keep the lids on them.

 

[Texas Reefer]

What kind of hose or tubing do y'all use to run from the RODI/mixing station to the tank? I would rather use something that will store a bit smaller and be more manageable than 50' of vinyl tubing. I saw this hose today at Home Depot. What do y'all think?

 

[AKReef]

Thought I’d post a pic of using a 3/4” uniseal to put an Eheim 300watt heater at the bottom of my mixing tank. Works great. One tip is the uniseal calls for an 1.25” hole, which fits a bit loose for my liking. It doesn’t leak, but if I did it again I’d drill the hole a few mm smaller to make the uniseal, seal tighter against the heater.

That is a spectacular idea! My issue is that heater cords are too short for the heater to sit at the bottom of my SW tank and I worry that it will go dry when I’m doing a water change and I’ll forget to shut it off. This really reduces that danger.

 

[newbreefer316]

Here is my set up. Went with two 105g tall thin tanks due to space I had. Found a heavy duty 3000lbs work bench that fit perfectly in the space, and did all my own plumbing. Perfect height since I am tall and don’t need to be bending over constantly. Went with an EcoTech Vectra L1 as I wanted the best for head pressure since my tank is over 30 feet away when pumping to the tank. Also due to the fact the tanks are 6’ Tall and with mixing I wanted to not worry about the pump. I also like the fact I can turn it on and off with EcoTech’s app on my phone, so when filling I can stop the flow any time.

If you feel like following my 265G Build.

www.instagram.com/My265GSliceOfTheOcean

www.FB.com/My265GSliceOfTheOcean

What bench is this, or at least what dimensions? I just picked up 2x 105g talls as well and am trying to get everything together to get them set up this week.

 

[Texas Reefer]

Woohoo! Just finished mine and made my first saltwater. It is functioning very well. We are also using the RO water for brewing beer.

 

[reef-freak]

hey Texas reefer, where did you get the 55 gallon square tank at . how much ? shipping ?

 

[dbl]

Not to answer for @Texas Reefer, but here are the tanks. There are other vendors that sell them as well. Shipping is a killer unless you can find someone offering free shipping, or a store near you that you can pick them up.

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=A-SP0055-MM

 

[newbreefer316]

So it begins

2x Norwesco 105g talls

 

[dbl]

So it begins

2x Norwesco 105g talls

Step one. Nice.

 

[Texas Reefer]

hey Texas reefer, where did you get the 55 gallon square tank at . how much ? shipping ?

I bought it from a fellow reefer, the same as I bought the RODI system from. He said he actually got the tank from a company near where we live, outside Houston, I believe in Pasadena.

 

[reef-freak]

Ok thanks for getting back to me

 

[chris31759]

Rural King sells the 55 gallon square ace roto tanks with free shipping direct from the factory. They take up to 6 weeks for delivery.

 

[chris31759]

Rural King doesn't keep them in stock. There is a store about an hour away in Plano IL that carries some smaller ones.

 

[Bradley Keck]

Hey everyone! I have my mixing station all set up and my RODI filling up the RODI storage container! Last thing I need to do is purchase connections and hose to run it into the DT. I know an RV hose is recommended, but I cannot find hose that does not already have brass fittings on it. Is it OK to use the brass fittings or do you just cut off the fittings? What are some options for connecting the hose to the ball valve, and what do you put on the other end of the hose if anything?