DIY - First saltwater mixing setup

[ctopherl]

It seems like most people prefer Brute trash cans or specialized water containers to hold their water for mixing water. I have heard something about Brute being made with "safer materials" or something?

That said, to save space I found this guy on Amazon. Any reason this wouldn't work for me? I only change 10-15g at a time so 23 should hold me for 2 water changes, and there is a separate lid I can order. I am more concerned about how to determine if the "materials" are safe.

 

[HuduVudu]

It seems like most people prefer Brute trash cans or specialized water containers to hold their water for mixing water. I have heard something about Brute being made with "safer materials" or something?

That said, to save space I found this guy on Amazon. Any reason this wouldn't work for me? I only change 10-15g at a time so 23 should hold me for 2 water changes, and there is a separate lid I can order. I am more concerned about how to determine if the "materials" are safe.

People usually get the round ones because you can buy the wheels for it and that makes it easier to move lots of water around.

 

[ctopherl]

People usually get the round ones because you can buy the wheels for it and that makes it easier to move lots of water around.

That definitely makes sense! With only a 23g I am less worried about this. I will just have to figure out an effective way to get water into my bucket since I'm assuming it won't fit in the top.

I was just worried about trying to verify there were no "harmful chemicals" that were going to bleed into my water!

 

[HuduVudu]

Brutes stink, but they have been used for so long, it is a certainty that they are not leaching anything harmful. Seems like the smell never really goes away. I have also been using them for years, without any problems the wheels make moving large amounts of water around a breeze.

As to you moving water ... get a cheap Mag Drive pump and put on fittings. You will now need to know how to move water around with it. Once you get it down you will never want to lift water again

 

[ctopherl]

Brutes stink, but they have been used for so long, it is a certainty that they are not leaching anything harmful. Seems like the smell never really goes away. I have also been using them for years, without any problems the wheels make moving large amounts of water around a breeze.

As to you moving water ... get a cheap Mag Drive pump and put on fittings. You will now need to know how to move water around with it. Once you get it down you will never want to lift water again

Hmm so just to clarify I am understanding this correctly, it sounds like you are saying to get the brute, plumb a bulkhead of some sort onto the side, get some pipe that I can attach to the bulkhead and direct into my tank and a pump for inside the brute? Then just wheel the brute over to my tank, turn the pump on and let it go?

 

[Biff0rz]

Certain brutes will leach - the one you want to buy should be marked nsf-2, aka food safe.

 

[HuduVudu]

Hmm so just to clarify I am understanding this correctly, it sounds like you are saying to get the brute, plumb a bulkhead of some sort onto the side, get some pipe that I can attach to the bulkhead and direct into my tank and a pump for inside the brute? Then just wheel the brute over to my tank, turn the pump on and let it go?

No do not drill the Brute.

Get a fitting and a hose barb for the Mag, then 1/2" clear tubing will do the trick for any water movement you want to do. All can be got at Home Depot or Lowes.

For example mix your new water in the Brute, wheel it to your tank and after you drain (into another Brute) the water then fill it back up with the water you just made. You can use a Brute with no wheels (to save money) on the drain out water and then just drop the mag in the drained water and put it into your wheeled Brute. Then wheel it into your bathroom and drain into the bath or the toilet. Very fast way to get water around.

One thing, the wheels don't work on carpet well, but you're in AZ so I doubt you have worry about that.

 

[mike550]

@ctopherl I use a 32G Brute for mixing saltwater. I like 32 even though I typically make 15-25G at a time because I’m never worried about having to fill it to the top.

To make things super easy, I use a small Lifegard Aquatics submersible pump to mix the salt. I just put the pump at the bottom of the Brute. When I need to pump saltwater into some 5G containers to carry the water for water changes I just put a hose on the pump and done. I can use the same pump to then move water from the 5G container into the tank.

 

[HuduVudu]

@ctopherl I use a 32G Brute for mixing saltwater. I like 32 even though I typically make 15-25G at a time because I’m never worried about having to fill it to the top.

To make things super easy, I use a small Lifegard Aquatics submersible pump to mix the salt. I just put the pump at the bottom of the Brute. When I need to pump saltwater into some 5G containers to carry the water for water changes I just put a hose on the pump and done. I can use the same pump to then move water from the 5G container into the tank.

Next level is buying a really long hose

 

[mike550]

Next level is buying a really long hose

No kidding! I looked at that. I’d need around 100’ and a pump with like 20+ feet of head to go from basement to main floor. Figured I’ll keep hauling 5G jugs as part of my exercise routine.

 

[HOOPDEEZ]

FYI I bought 2 55g drums at a drum recycling place for $12 a pop. They are food grade and had cooking wine in them previously. After a clean out and adding bulkheads they have treated me well for several years. The place I bought them had smaller sizes as well for a cheaper price

 

[Mattiejay6]

I use brute with no issues.. they are convenient for mixing salt water.

in terms of moving the water, check out the sicce utility pump you can hook a water hose to. Works great!

 

[HuduVudu]

FYI I bought 2 55g drums at a drum recycling place for $12 a pop. They are food grade and had cooking wine in them previously. After a clean out and adding bulkheads they have treated me well for several years. The place I bought them had smaller sizes as well for a cheaper price

Oh that would make changing water smell better

 

[Ratherbeflyen]

I got a food grade 55 gallon barrel from a local shop/guy that was used to ship olives for $25. I cleaned it out and been using it for water changes for a long time. I don't have room for a permanent mixing station. So I just haul the barrel next to my tank and run an rodi line to it. Add a power head, heater, and a bag of salt. Wait 24 hours and do the water change and move the barrel back.

 

[ctopherl]

No do not drill the Brute.

Get a fitting and a hose barb for the Mag, then 1/2" clear tubing will do the trick for any water movement you want to do. All can be got at Home Depot or Lowes.

For example mix your new water in the Brute, wheel it to your tank and after you drain (into another Brute) the water then fill it back up with the water you just made. You can use a Brute with no wheels (to save money) on the drain out water and then just drop the mag in the drained water and put it into your wheeled Brute. Then wheel it into your bathroom and drain into the bath or the toilet. Very fast way to get water around.

One thing, the wheels don't work on carpet well, but you're in AZ so I doubt you have worry about that.

Ok bear with me since I am the least handy person out there. I googled what a “hose barb” is and that makes sense but how do I know which one will fit which pump?

Will this pump work?

 

[HuduVudu]

Ok bear with me since I am the least handy person out there. I googled what a “hose barb” is and that makes sense but how do I know which one will fit which pump?

Will this pump work?

I just gave you an example of a pump that I use, there are others.

Here's what I suggest buy a pump that can be hard plumbed (other people have given examples on this thread). The Mags can actually have some of the tubings fit over the threads, in this case get a plastic hose clamp to keep it secure. When you get the pump go to Home Depot (or whatever you like) and get fittings that will allow you to use a good sized clear plastic tube to fit the pump. POW then you are ready

Edit: Here is an example of the tubing I am talking about.