Filling Tank for the First Time

[Slayvoff]

So say you have a 55g tank - that's quite a bit of RODI water. I live in a smaller apartment so don't have a whole area of a garage or something to dedicate to big drums of RODI water. What I do have right now is a 5 gallon jug (though I am a long way from even being ready to order a tank, so still planning).

Typically how to people execute the initial fill if they don't have enough water stored, or don't have the ability to do so? Would I just have to fill the jug with 5 gallons of RODI, add salt, and put in tank and repeat over and over until it is entirely filled? Assume this would take an entire day which is fine but just wondering if that's the most efficient way to do it given the circumstances, or if others have come up with something better.

I don't have an RODI filter yet, but I did used to have a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water and I am fully aware how slowly it comes out especially given that we want dozens of gallons of it.

 

[Jimbo662]

I've always filled the tank with RO/DI then add salt to the tank.

 

[Maggie321]

Usually you can but water from your LFS but you would have to get a lot more jugs. How do you plan on doing water changes with only one 5gallon jug? I would probably get one of the 18 gallon storage totes with a lid and fill that then move the water. You can use it to do your water changes too and when not filling it with clean water you can store your syphen and cleaning supplies in it.

 

[Palyzoa]

Some fish stores or aquarium maintenance companies will bring you water and fill your tank up for you. I would shop around and see who has the best deal.

 

[Clinton]

BRUTE trash cans on dollies with bulkhead drilled into the bottom and ball valve. Find a cheap inline pump and your set for water changes, get two the same size and you can have the same volume mixed and ready to go in.

 

[Slayvoff]

Usually you can but water from your LFS but you would have to get a lot more jugs. How do you plan on doing water changes with only one 5gallon jug? I would probably get one of the 18 gallon storage totes with a lid and fill that then move the water. You can use it to do your water changes too and when not filling it with clean water you can store your syphen and cleaning supplies in it.

I was planning to do a 10% weekly water change so a 5 gallon would presumably be just right for that. Is it not enough? I do like the 18 gallon idea that can be used to keep the other materials that I'd bring out with water change as well and if I clean at the same time as I do that even better.

 

[Maggie321]

So you'll pull 5 gallon out and put it where? In the bucket...but you'll have your new salt water in the bucket. If you fill your bucket with clean rodi water and mix in your salt, you can then pour that either in the tote so you'll have the exact amount mixed that you'll be pulling out then use the bucket to measure your water while you clean. That way you don't have too much mixed or pull out too much water then have to scramble to make more. You could use 2 buckets, but a tote can double as storage for the bucket and cleaning supplies

 

[Maggie321]

So you'll pull 5 gallon out and put it where? In the bucket...but you'll have your new salt water in the bucket. If you fill your bucket with clean rodi water and mix in your salt, you can then pour that either in the tote so you'll have the exact amount mixed that you'll be pulling out then use the bucket to measure your water while you clean. That way you don't have too much mixed or pull out too much water then have to scramble to make more. You could use 2 buckets, but a tote can double as storage for the bucket and cleaning supplies

It makes sense in my head. Lol. What I'm saying is, you need either more clean water than dirty water or the exact same amount of water. If you use one 5 gallon bucket to measure your clean water, you can then pour it in the tote and use the same bucket to measure the dirty water you are pulling out.

 

[Slayvoff]

It makes sense in my head. Lol. What I'm saying is, you need either more clean water than dirty water or the exact same amount of water. If you use one 5 gallon bucket to measure your clean water, you can then pour it in the tote and use the same bucket to measure the dirty water you are pulling out.

I could also store 15 gallons of mixed rodi water in the tote and I'd be all set for 3 weeks right? Then use the 5 gallon to drain the tank, pour out in the sink, and refill with the new rodi water from tote and put into tank. Anything wrong with that?

 

[Maggie321]

I could also store 15 gallons of mixed rodi water in the tote and I'd be all set for 3 weeks right? Then use the 5 gallon to drain the tank, pour out in the sink, and refill with the new rodi water from tote and put into tank. Anything wrong with that?

Or all set for an emergency water change! That would work!

 

[Slayvoff]

Or all set for an emergency water change! That would work!

Cool, I like this idea...will make things much more efficient and won't have to wait every weekend while a jug fills with new water. Can just pull the system out once every few weeks and run it. The name of the game for me is saving space so I'm down. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Maggie321]

Cool, I like this idea...will make things much more efficient and won't have to wait every weekend while a jug fills with new water. Can just pull the system out once every few weeks and run it. The name of the game for me is saving space so I'm down. Thanks for the idea!

I hope it helps. Just remember once the salt is mixed, you should probably keep it moving. Maybe even heated if you place gets cold. I bought a couple really cheap sunsun powerheads off amazon for my mixing bucket. I think I got 2 for $15 or something like that.

 

[Slayvoff]

I hope it helps. Just remember once the salt is mixed, you should probably keep it moving. Maybe even heated if you place gets cold. I bought a couple really cheap sunsun powerheads off amazon for my mixing bucket. I think I got 2 for $15 or something like that.

Got it. I think I have a spare hydor powerhead I could use. Aside from that I just need to check salinity before adding to display tank to make sure they match right? And water changes are added directly into the tank not the sump?

 

[Maggie321]

Got it. I think I have a spare hydor powerhead I could use. Aside from that I just need to check salinity before adding to display tank to make sure they match right? And water changes are added directly into the tank not the sump?

Definately verify matching SG (specific gravity). TBH I don't have a sump...yet. I just have a small tank with a HOB skimmer and some powerheads. The big tank will be going up soon. Just have to reinforce the floor first... It'll be a 200 gallon.

 

[savetheocean]

I filled my 75 dp + 25 gallon sump 5 gallons at a time..

 

[arice22]

I filled my 75 dp + 25 gallon sump 5 gallons at a time..

I know this was a long time ago but I’m going with the same setup. I will only be able to make around 10 gallons per day until the weekend. Did you put the sand and salt in first? I don’t have any powerheads at the moment either