My 2 phase saltwater mixing station

[Below Radar]

Ok, I've been using a mag and a few Brute cans for 4 years and I was ready for an upgrade. I have been using a Reeflo Dart/Snapper hybrid on my display tank for 4 years and never had a single problem from it. These are the best pumps on the market imo. I figure I could kill 2 birds with 1 Stone by getting a backup pump that doubles as a saltwater mixing pump so I purchased a Super Dart/Snapper Gold Hybrid. Here's what I currently have as a mixing station...

Here is a VERY rough draft of my "new" setup. I'll be using the Brutes until my Ace tanks come in. Should be here in 4-6 weeks. They have free shipping and good prices.

Here are the stands

Here is the finished product

 

[Below Radar]

I have a Vertex Puratek deluxe 200gpd plumbed into the RO/DI can for now until I get these http://www.ruralking.com/ace-roto-mold-105-gallon-vertical-flat-

RO setup

The suction side of the pump is 2" and the discharge side is 1-1/2". I'll take a few pics closer so those that want to see exactly what I did can.

 

[-Logzor]

Nice! What are those tiny little brackets holding the RO tubing on the wall?

 

[Below Radar]

Coax placeholders

 

[Below Radar]

I may just put a hole in the ceiling instead of keeping it like that.

 

[sbash]

What are the two phases? (i.e. why two bins?).

For context, my mixing station is very similar, but I only use one bin, and I have the pump in the bottom of that bin (the pump intake is pointed down and is about 1/4" from the bottom to help ensure 99.9% of the water can be pumped out). My RO/DI line goes into the bin, I turn the heater on and start the powerheads, add a few cups of salt (when it is up to temp).

So, I still have a fail bit of manual intervention, but if I can implement a mechanical solution to minimize this, I would like to!

 

[Below Radar]

Right now is with Brute cans phase 2 will be be with the big Ace tanks

 

[sbash]

Right now is with Brute cans phase 2 will be be with the big Ace tanks

Oh okay, so the two brute cans are just for water volume?

 

[Below Radar]

No. One is RO/DI and the other is salt. It takes 4-6 weeks for the other tanks to come in.

 

[Below Radar]

Next level saltwater mixing lol

 

[Below Radar]

Oh okay, so the two brute cans are just for water volume?

I see what you're saying now. Yes, I can have a full bin of salt and a full bin of RO/DI at all times.

 

[Below Radar]

Close up of the setup

 

[Waterjockey]

Nice set up! I like the mixing "nozzles" too...pretty neat

Cheers!

 

[tj w]

Very nice indeed. Makes it so much easier.

 

[bevo5]

Are those just regular bulkheads? My uniseals are uni-junk.

I might just toss on some regular bulkheads - seems like it's holding ok?

 

[Below Radar]

Are those just regular bulkheads? My uniseals are uni-junk.

I might just toss on some regular bulkheads - seems like it's holding ok?

Yes, regular 2" bulkheads.

MAN, it is nice filling my salt bin now! No more taking a pump out of here and ming it there! A few valve swaps and boom...bin full. Quickly, might I add lol.

 

[Below Radar]

Very nice indeed. Makes it so much easier.

This is my second go-round in salt and I've found you're more likely to do things the easier they are to do.

 

[bevo5]

That's very true. This set-up is very similar to my design. I can knock out a 30-35g water change on my 200g tank in about 30 minutes...and it only takes that long because my pump is too small so refilling is about 20min of that. But when mixing up a new batch is as easy as turning on/off a couple valves it's much more likely that I'm going to go ahead and do it all.

Are you going to put lids on there?

 

[Below Radar]

I have 1 but somehow my other lid was taken out and trashed so I'll need to make something to sit over the top of the RO/DI can.