Water Change Station Question

[dragonfisher33]

I googled some DIY water change station ideas and came across some designs that have similar template. can someone shed light on why the water container on the left side has an additional bulkhead? is the left container the rodi container or the saltwater container? Is there a benefit in having an additional bulkhead for the container on the right?

 

[R_C]

Container on right is the fresh water, the left is salt. The additional bulkhead is to pump fresh water to mix and also to do the mixing once you add salt to it.

 

[Perched Urchin]

I'll take a swing. I had my WC station designed somewhat similarly, but mine was vertical (RO on top, SW on bottom).
Tank on right is RO/DI. Tank on left is SW.
The valves at either end of the horizontal pipe seem to be extraneous - for "future use", perhaps.
The design on the left circulates water from bottom of tank to top to mix SW.
Close second valve from left, open third valve from left, open valve on vertical pipe and pump RO into SW mixing tank.
Close third valve from left, open second valve from left, leave valve on vertical pipe open and circulate water in that tank. Add salt...
Keep second valve from left open, close valve on vertical pipe, open valve connected to hose and send SW out hose.
Close second valve from left, leave valve on vertical pipe closed, open third valve from left, leave valve connected to hose open and send RO out hose.

Using the side by side design, I would think you would ultimately end up with some back flow of SW into your RO, but not necessarily enough that it would matter.

 

[dbl]

Agreed the second bulkhead is to recirculate the water in that container to mix your salt. The two "extraneous" outside valves at the end of the horizontal pipe, are to be able to remove water (either salt or RODI) without the use of the pump. So if you have a power failure, or more likely, your pump dies, and you need water, you'll use those valves to get either water types.

 

[john.m.cole3]

following

 

[dbl]

For those interested, here is a nice thread with a lot of examples of mixing stations. I'm particularly fond of post #65...lol.

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

 

[dragonfisher33]

For those interested, here is a nice thread with a lot of examples of mixing stations. I'm particularly fond of post #65...lol.

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

hey David,

do you have more pictures of the water change station that you're fond of? i would like to see the nitty and gritty.

 

[dbl]

I can take some tonight and send them to you. But I will warn you, it's basically the same design as the ones you posted in the OP.

 

[Broadfield]

Here's my setup... pretty much the same as the ones posted. I'm using 65 gallon reservoirs. However, I also incorporated a water change setup so I never have to lift a bucket again. You'll notice that I have a line that goes up to the ceiling beyond the upper bulkhead in my salt mix. This allows me to pump new salt water up to my sump on the main floor. There's also a drain between the two containers so I can drain the water out of the sump for a water change. Makes it REALLY easy to do a water change!

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4019 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4022 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

 

[R_C]

Here's my setup... pretty much the same as the ones posted. I'm using 65 gallon reservoirs. However, I also incorporated a water change setup so I never have to lift a bucket again. You'll notice that I have a line that goes up to the ceiling beyond the upper bulkhead in my salt mix. This allows me to pump new salt water up to my sump on the main floor. There's also a drain between the two containers so I can drain the water out of the sump for a water change. Makes it REALLY easy to do a water change!

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4019 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4022 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Now that's a good looking water station! Great job.

 

[James605]

Mine is the same as above. One of the best things I've done for my system to make it simple. I can water change in minutes without any real labor

 

[Arron209]

Clean water stations guys. Where are you getting your storage containers?

 

[Broadfield]

Clean water stations guys. Where are you getting your storage containers?

I was lucky and found mine at a local Farm & Fleet... because shipping will kill you.

 

[Arron209]

I was lucky and found mine at a local Farm & Fleet... because shipping will kill you.

Yeah i was looking for a couple and i think I'd rather road-trip somewhere for that price on shipping!

 

[rgopaul]

Here's my setup... pretty much the same as the ones posted. I'm using 65 gallon reservoirs. However, I also incorporated a water change setup so I never have to lift a bucket again. You'll notice that I have a line that goes up to the ceiling beyond the upper bulkhead in my salt mix. This allows me to pump new salt water up to my sump on the main floor. There's also a drain between the two containers so I can drain the water out of the sump for a water change. Makes it REALLY easy to do a water change!

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4019 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4022 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

Where did you get those storage tanks?

 

[Broadfield]

Where did you get those storage tanks?

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/064724-norwesco-65-gallon-vertical-storage-tank.html

 

[RobMay]

Here's my setup... pretty much the same as the ones posted. I'm using 65 gallon reservoirs. However, I also incorporated a water change setup so I never have to lift a bucket again. You'll notice that I have a line that goes up to the ceiling beyond the upper bulkhead in my salt mix. This allows me to pump new salt water up to my sump on the main floor. There's also a drain between the two containers so I can drain the water out of the sump for a water change. Makes it REALLY easy to do a water change!

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4019 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

IMG_4022 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

OK, I set up my station like this (horizontal) and kind of wish I had done a vertical setup. My question: how do you remove the last gallon or so of water from the bottom of the tank? I don't want to let it stagnate there.

 

[Broadfield]

OK, I set up my station like this (horizontal) and kind of wish I had done a vertical setup. My question: how do you remove the last gallon or so of water from the bottom of the tank? I don't want to let it stagnate there.

You don't worry about it. This type of setup typically isn't meant for filling a container and then completely emptying it. It's meant to have salt water and fresh water on hand at all times.

 

[siggy]

OK, I set up my station like this (horizontal) and kind of wish I had done a vertical setup. My question: how do you remove the last gallon or so of water from the bottom of the tank? I don't want to let it stagnate there.

I just set one up and plan on weekly WC. Get creative if it sets for a while, like pop the union and tilt.GL

 

[Broadfield]

I also have a power head and heater in mine... so it is always circulated and ready for a water change. Of course I am on Triton Method now, so I don't do water changes. But I still have 65 gallons of salt water on hand just in case of an emergency.