Brand new to reefing: water containers?

[Jim Harrison]

Hello, brand new to reef aquariums and planning out my build. Will start buying after June 1st.

The plan is to go with a 48x24x24.

I've watched 52 weeks of reefing and several other videos as well as read tons and tons of articles and forums on the subject of starting and maintaining a reef. I've spent quality time with my lfs. And I'm still well aware of my knowledge inadequacies.

What I want to know is what do you all use for water containers on the budget? I'm considering 2-3 55 gallon trash cans to store my RO/DI water and to mix my saltwater.

Is this acceptable or should I pour more money into it? I'm trying to find areas I can cut costs without hurting the system. Trash cans cost $30. Water storage tanks cost $120+.

 

[Jim Harrison]

Also, this forum is by far the best source of information I've come across. Thank you all for being so helpful and knowledgeable!

 

[Special_K]

Rural King has free shipping on large orders.

 

[alanbetiger]

are you going to plumb any of the trashcans together?

 

[Jim Harrison]

are you going to plumb any of the trashcans together?

Nothing more than a pump and a hose so I can put water in my top off and for water changes.

Should I be considering plumbing them together? Benefits?

 

[WindeyD]

I have 2 brute cans; one for fresh and one for salt. A mag drive in the salt can for mixing. This has worked for me for over six years.

 

[alanbetiger]

Just wondering. I have two 35 gallon trashcans I plumbed together really because they were free. The back square acrylic container in the back is top off. The trashcans are for mixing saltwater. I know hundreds/thousands of people plumb them together with uniseals with no problem. So I thought it would be a good idea to add another pipe to help get my salinity to stablize faster before a water change. I'm sure it's because I messed up. Sanded to0 much or not enough where the uniseals are, or that the upper pipe isn't pushed in as far as the lower so the trashcans are dented inward just a hair. But I get slow leaks. Siliconing the area works for about 4-5 months before needing to reseal again. Soooo I'm going to get a 125 gallon predrilled container in the next few weeks.
If you are using them independently I'd say go with the trashcans
If you are going to combine them, personally I would say go with a bigger container. (Again I completely agree that I probably did something "wrong")

 

[WindeyD]

My advice is keep it simple; as you gain experience you can always modify your setup as/if needed.

 

[Jim Harrison]

I have 2 brute cans; one for fresh and one for salt. A mag drive in the salt can for mixing. This has worked for me for over six years.

That's pretty much my plan. Though I was going to go with 3. 2 for fresh and 1 for saltwater mixing.

The RODI system I ordered does 100gpd. I assume I will need about 140g for the initial fill to account for the sump and the display tank minus the volume of rock.

 

[Special_K]

Just wondering. I have two 35 gallon trashcans I plumbed together really because they were free. The back square acrylic container in the back is top off. The trashcans are for mixing saltwater. I know hundreds/thousands of people plumb them together with uniseals with no problem. So I thought it would be a good idea to add another pipe to help get my salinity to stablize faster before a water change. I'm sure it's because I messed up. Sanded to0 much or not enough where the uniseals are, or that the upper pipe isn't pushed in as far as the lower so the trashcans are dented inward just a hair. But I get slow leaks. Siliconing the area works for about 4-5 months before needing to reseal again. Soooo I'm going to get a 125 gallon predrilled container in the next few weeks.
If you are using them independently I'd say go with the trashcans
If you are going to combine them, personally I would say go with a bigger container. (Again I completely agree that I probably did something "wrong")

Why do you have gas cans near your reef stuff?

 

[alanbetiger]

Haha yeah I never thought that looked bad, and no one asked before. I have a 30 gallon seahorse tank and those were for waterchanges/top off for them. My hoses are gravity fed to the big tank, and the smaller one is too tall. One is fresh, one saltwater. They are so much easier to deal with instead of the square 5 gallon containers everyone else uses. They have a spout with a trigger valve. So you can pick up the gas can and have leaning over the edge of the tank without it dripping/pouring easier. Multiple handles too!
So no, there is no gas near my water.

 

[Special_K]

Haha yeah I never thought that looked bad, and no one asked before. I have a 30 gallon seahorse tank and those were for waterchanges/top off for them. My hoses are gravity fed to the big tank, and the smaller one is too tall. One is fresh, one saltwater. They are so much easier to deal with instead of the square 5 gallon containers everyone else uses. They have a spout with a trigger valve. So you can pick up the gas can and have leaning over the edge of the tank without it dripping/pouring easier. Multiple handles too!
So no, there is no gas near my water.

If there is a poll on what's the most bad butt ATO and Water Change containers, yours got my vote!

 

[Vahanyos]

With all the DIY's i've seen... just use common sense and you can do whatever/however you want in this hobby

I've seen the most "ghetto" (and by ghetto i mean not spending $120 on a ATO reservoir like myself, and just using a 2 gallon plastic jug or something) set ups and they work well. So long as you understand what you're trying to achieve you can do whatever bud

 

[wsoldier]

What did you end up going with? I'm in a similar situation but have small water storage needs. Thanks!

 

[ducks4rob]

I like the gas tank ideas. I got 2 tanks stacked and those would be perfect. I use 2 brutes. One for dirty water out of tank and one to collect rodi and mix salt. My tank is at the front of my house but water is in back. I just keep both cans on top of furniture dollies. Look like the garbage man working the front of the house when I wheel them out but it works and it's mobile. Also easy to siphon to smaller conainers if need be because the cans sit 8" higher on the dolly.