Maritime mix master: Do you have a water mixing station?

[Peace River]

Maritime mix master: Do you have a water mixing station?

Many reef keepers make the trip to the local fish store (LFS) to buy pre-mixed saltwater, or they use a series of buckets or other containers that get pulled out every time it is time to mix up salt. Another option that requires space and more upfront cost is to set up a water mixing station. There are variations, but this often involves an RODI unit, a container to hold RODI water, a container to hold saltwater, a pump to mix and move water, and the plumbing to connect it all together. Of course, other options such as additional valves, filters, and automation can be added to the water station. What about your system - do you have a water mixing station? We’d love to see pictures and feel free to share any tips or experiences with your water mixing station!

Photo by @Peace River; Mixing station including (2) 65g Norwesco tanks and more.


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[lapin]

Not so pretty as others but functional for 8 years. No carry the water for me.

 

[Troylee]

Don’t have a completed picture hmmmm… it’s connected to a hose reel for quick water changes and top offs.

 

[SPS2020]

My ATO reservoir doubles as a mixing station for my DT.

 

[Dburr1014]

Two brute cans, auto rodi topoff for one can. Takes about 12 hours to fill it from empty. No need to worry about water or carrying buckets.

 

[twentyleagues]

Not as elaborate or pretty as my last one but I have 2 55g brute trash cans. I use a jebao 4500 pump to mix, pump water to tank and pump rodi to salt mix.

 

[blecki]

Two brute cans, auto rodi topoff for one can. Takes about 12 hours to fill it from empty. No need to worry about water or carrying buckets.

Same, and I put them on wheels. I roll the RODI container over to refill the ATO reservoir every couple of weeks.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I had a dual setup which took up space and i now have in storage.
This is my current one and cant do without it

Oh, my other one:

 

[Dburr1014]

I had a dual setup which took up space and i now have in storage.
This is my current one and cant do without it

I see you made good use of the tank crate!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

you guys are a bunch of gangstas. If I do not want to do the brute thing, where can I get a cheap 30-55 g RODI resevoir like the above pictured ones. I dont plan on going all out like some of you as I will have a small 5g top off ATO setup next to tank.

 

[AtlantiCat]

I have collapsible 2.5 gallon jugs and strong arms, does that count?

 

[Rjukan]

My water mixing station consists of a 5g bucket and a plastic long handle spoon lol

 

[kenchilada]

The best water mixing stations are hidden under the back porch.

Let's build a trap door leading to a secret fish room under my porch!

I have a 220G reef and I want to setup automated water changes. This is the last piece of the puzzle to kick my reef into high gear since I really do not have a practical way to do water changes. I don't really have anywhere to store water tanks though, so I have to get creative. I was going...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[shakacuz]

other; i don't do water changes.

 

[twentyleagues]

you guys are a bunch of gangstas. If I do not want to do the brute thing, where can I get a cheap 30-55 g RODI resevoir like the above pictured ones. I dont plan on going all out like some of you as I will have a small 5g top off ATO setup next to tank.

I couldn't find the deal I had gotten like 20 years ago (used) but I remember back then what I had paid was about half the cost of new. Today its like 3x the cost of new back then. Which is why I went with brute cans. I dont remember the exact size but around 200g each. I know I had the salt mix marked and when empty I just dumped a box or rc in after filling to the mark came out to 1.026. I think I paid $500 for both.

 

[n2585722]

I have three Brute 20g cans for my mixing station. One is used for a DI reservoir for ATO and any other needed uses, one is a fresh saltwater reservoir that s used for AWC and any other needed uses. The third is the mixing tank. It is setup to refill the DI reservoir when it goes low from the RODI unit. When the fresh saltwater reservoir goes low and the mix tank is ready to use the contents of the mix tank is transferred to the fresh saltwater reservoir. Then the mix tank is refilled from the RODI. This is all controlled by my Hydros collective. There is also pumps in the DI and fresh saltwater reservoir where I can push a button and fill containers from either the DI or fresh saltwater reservoir as needed. Here is a couple of photos. The Brute cans are under my workbench. All I have to do is add the salt mix to the mix tank and press a button when the mix tank is ready for use. In the second photo the solenoids used to turn on the RODI unit and fill the specific brute can are at the top of the photo. The dosing pumps in the shelves near the bottom are for AWC and ATO. The tank is 35ft from the garage so the tubing is run up through the attic between the garage and tank. The RODI is on the wall to the right out of sight in the second photo. You can just see part of it in the photo.

 

[SlicVic]

My water mixing station consists of a 5g bucket and a plastic long handle spoon lol

OMG!! I am so glad somebody else does everything manually!! Hahaha!! My bucket is 3 gallons!!

 

[lil sumpin]

Had to figure out a minimal sort of mixing station to setup in my apartment. 10 gallon brute with some hand marked graduations, the lid and a cheap 500GPH SunSun wave pump. No heater cause ambient room temp is usually low 70s and I've found that while letting the water mix for a few hours the wave pump makes temp climb from 72 to 75-76

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

this post makes me feel confused and dumb. Awesome setup.

 

[Dorking It]

Here is mine. It's not done in the pic but has been finished and been in service for a few months .