Salt water mixing station

[Rob's Reef]

Hey guys, I'm setting up a new mixing station and I'm looking for those tall square containers. Can someone please point me in the rightop direction. I can't seem to find them online.

Thanks

 

[mcarroll]

I would suggest shopping locally first – freight can be as much cost as the product itself.

Call around to Tractor Supply type places...though TSC themselves don't seem to have a tank like this. Look up "Tanks" in the Yellow Pages if you still have those around. You should be able to find local or regional outfits like Loomis Tank Centers that have inventory in your area.

Plastic-Mart.com and tank-depot.com are both pretty good to deal with if you're prepared for freight costs (if they can't find anything local). I'm sure there are several other good online places too. The only thing to try and avoid is having your tanks shipped all the way across the country. If that's the option presented to you, maybe you'll have no choice, but shop around at least a little bit.

 

[dbl]

Here are ones I personally went with, but there are others on this site. Tractor Supply also sells some if you have one near you. You'll find shipping is the killer on these things...lol.

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=9503-A-SP0055-MM

 

[dbl]

Should have added, and you may already have your design already, but here is a thread regarding various mixing stations.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/salt-water-mixing-stations-lets-see-them.36873/

 

[mcarroll]

I know people tend to go for the screw-on lid tanks, but I'd actually recommend one of these instead:

Link to Tank Depot's selection: Plastic Open Top Chemical Tanks
Round or square are available. Square is more volume per square foot, but round probably mixes easier.

All of these are easier to get salt into and stir, as well as get in for testing samples.

 

[bif24701]

Hey guys, I'm setting up a new mixing station and I'm looking for those tall square containers. Can someone please point me in the rightop direction. I can't seem to find them online.

Thanks

55 gallon brutes as the way to go. Cost much less and a nice big lid. Unless you need something significantly larger that what I use.

 

[mcarroll]

Unless you need something significantly larger that what I use.

I presumed he was looking for xlarge, but you are right about Brutes for 40 gallons and under!

Hard to beat the economy of a trip to the hardware store vs. freight costs!!

I should add: Brute's are not great on gallons per square foot of floor space you give up. They're >24" in diameter with the lid and handles. For perspective, you can fit 97 gallons into the same volume if you convert the Brute into a 24"x24"x36" cube, hundreds of gallons in the same footprint if you can go taller. Or you can fit the same 40 gallons from the Brute into one single square foot with a square, tall brine tank. These options cost double what a Brute costs, however. :)

Another good option in that vein is AquaFX's 40 GAL "Creep Killer" Storage Tank
It's outfitted with some intelligence to automate refills. Nice!

 

[Rob's Reef]

Yeah I'm looking for something like this...

 

[mcarroll]

All the links provided should carry those too.....I'd just look at the open top version of the same dimensions you want. Easier to live with in my experience. :)

 

[Rob's Reef]

Yeah I have a big open top one... I think it holds like 120g its a little overkill because I only make 50g at a time... and it takes up a ton of room. I want two smaller 55g that will sit side by side like the picture. Open top is nice, and the round tanks probably mix better than square ones like mentioned above. Idk, maybe I just need 1 55g for mixing sw and a smaller 20g for top off.

 

[bif24701]

Have you seen the ones that drian on the bottom, up on a stand? Those sure would be nice.

 

[Broadfield]

If you have a Farm & Fleet locally, then that will be your best bet... 65 gallon

http://www.farmandfleet.com/product...feedsource=3&gclid=CMq3lpTuzM8CFZAAaQod-oAJWQ

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

 

[Rob's Reef]

Thanks for the input guys. I've decided to save the money and rearrange some stuff to make the 120g I already have fit where I want to. Sorry if I wasted anyones time. I'll post what I have once it's setup

 

[Broadfield]

Thanks for the input guys. I've decided to save the money and rearrange some stuff to make the 120g I already have fit where I want to. Sorry if I wasted anyones time. I'll post what I have once it's setup

Dang, you totally wasted my time:D

 

[locito277]

Craigslist

240 delivered for both

 

[Rob's Reef]

OK so here is what I put together just now.... I had an energy drink earlier. ;please

Before... little frag table.

After... "new mixing station.

 

[Rob's Reef]

Now I can use your ideas again... the pipe I put down the center, what type of spray bar should I use?
1. A tee 1/4 the way down with holes drilled.
2. A tee at the bottom with holes drilled
3. A straight pipe capped at the bottom with holes drilled all the way down
4. Or should I just leave a 90 up top and let it just spray on top of the waters surface to help oxygenate the newly mixed saltwater?

 

[Rob's Reef]

^^^Sunday morning bump! :)

 

[dbl]

I personally use the #4 method...mine just turns down into the container. Not saying it's the best way but it works for me!

 

[Rob's Reef]

I personally use the #4 method...mine just turns down into the container. Not saying it's the best way but it works for me!

And you get a good mix that way? I don't want the salt to settle at the bottom. I should get good circulation with the pump I'm using... it's probably overkill but I have it just sitting around so figured I'd use it.