Simple water change mixing station

[Maho.B]

Hi all, I currently do water changes every other week and buy the saltwater from my LFS. I would like to make my own water and a little easier system on adding the new water into the display. I have searched on ideas for this but mostly have found systems a bit more elaborate than I was thinking or wanting. Is there anything wrong with the following:

Buy a Brute garbage can. Fill it 20 gallons of RODI water (that's my WC amount) and add salt. Have a heater and a pump in the can to mix it thoroughly. Once mixed connect a line to the pump and pump it back to my display tank.

It's simple but am I forgetting/missing something or should this be fine? If so, any recommendations on the size of pump or how to best determine the size of pump? The distance from the mixing can to the tank is 65 feet and in the same level.

Thanks!

 

[Twocorns]

I used to do that same simple method for years. I'd use the brute trash can with wheels and use a small pump to pump the water from the brute to my tank. I used an old maxijet pump.

But check on BRS for the sicce ultra zero pump. BRS had a sale where it included a free python water change system. I don't know if that's the case still.

 

[Maho.B]

Thanks for the advice! I haven't looked for the Brute can yet and didn't even realize wheels were an option! That will make it even easier. I'll look for the pump you recommend as well.

When you were done did you simply rinse pump and can out with RODI when not mixing? Since I do bi-weekly water changes, it'll sit idle for a couple of weeks after each use. Thanks.

 

[Twocorns]

Thanks for the advice! I haven't looked for the Brute can yet and didn't even realize wheels were an option! That will make it even easier. I'll look for the pump you recommend as well.

When you were done did you simply rinse pump and can out with RODI when not mixing? Since I do bi-weekly water changes, it'll sit idle for a couple of weeks after each use. Thanks.

Hardware stores sell the brute trash can wheel attachment. It's pricey (i think $35?), but its universal size. So if you buy a 20g brute and decide to upgrade to a bigger brute later, the wheel attachment will fit the bigger brute cans.

Where is your RODI station? If it's in the garage make sure to fill the brute inside the house, already on wheels. 20gallons is heavy and a pain to carry over the lip between the garage and inside the house (learned that lesson the hard way.)

I only cleaned out my brute about every 2-3 months. I used to use instant ocean which dirtied my brute can.

 

[Maho.B]

Hardware stores sell the brute trash can wheel attachment. It's pricey (i think $35?), but its universal size. So if you buy a 20g brute and decide to upgrade to a bigger brute later, the wheel attachment will fit the bigger brute cans.

Where is your RODI station? If it's in the garage make sure to fill the brute inside the house, already on wheels. 20gallons is heavy and a pain to carry over the lip between the garage and inside the house (learned that lesson the hard way.)

I only cleaned out my brute about every 2-3 months. I used to use instant ocean which dirtied my brute can.

Luckily my RO system is in the mechanical room behind the room the tank is in so it's all in the same lower level. Out of curiosity you mention instant ocean dirtied the container? Are there other salts that don't? Having only bought water (they use Tropic Marin Pro) I haven't given much thought to the brand of salt I will use. Thanks.

 

[Science/G]

An in line check valve to stop the siphon maybe, but at least a ball valve at the aquarium. Check things like output tube diameter and flow rate when selecting a pump. The more the better. You don't want to have a refill take 30 minutes.

 

[Maho.B]

An in line check valve to stop the siphon maybe, but at least a ball valve at the aquarium. Check things like output tube diameter and flow rate when selecting a pump. The more the better. You don't want to have a refill take 30 minutes.

Good call, looking at pumps now. They do list the output diameter I will take that into consideration. Thanks.

 

[Twocorns]

I currently use aqua forever reef salt. Seems pretty clean so far.