Large volume water mixing solutions for crowded spaces

[starypotter]

Hi everyone,
I have a 75 gallon DT with water volume of 80 gallons, a 20l frag tank, and a 29g QT. So when I need to water change from one into the other it can take a lot of water, and well let’s say my mom’s patience is running thin on having a 32 gallon trash can and my RODI unit in the middle of the foyer. And then I made the mistake of mentioning another trash can for mixing water and so it was encouraged that I seek better solutions.

Right now I have a trash can that I fill with RODI water that sits in the front foyer, and a hose that runs through the house. We have a hose spigot in the middle of the house for some reason, so it’s helpful to hook my RODI up to. I make water right into the trash can and pull from it when I need to top off. In the past when I needed to mix water I mixed it in the trash can but then you have the problem of not having a ton of fresh water during that time, and you need to be sure to use all of it or store it then rinse out the garage before you can make more RODI because sometimes stuff settles at the bottom.
Most recently I tried mixing a bucket of very concentrated water and then diluting it in 5 gallon buckets before adding it to the tank, but it left a thick residue on everything and I don’t think my mixing power head will last too long with that process.
I was thinking about another trash can, so I can have one always filled and the other can be tucked away. Then when I need to do a water change I add salt to the existing bucket and start filling the new one with RODI. But the idea of two trash cans didn’t go over well.
When I do changes I could easily need 20 gallons and I don’t have the means to mix and heat four 5-gallon buckets or more at a time.



<b>TLDR</b> What are your solutions on mixing large amounts (average 20-25 gallons) of water without a fancy built in mixing station that could be easily broken down?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I just do my salt in 5g Home Depot buckets.
I make rodi in white stackable after containers once or twice a month. About 90mon per 5g.

The second rim is 5g. I measure salt by weight, 765g fritz, stir with two power heads for ten 20 min. And stick the salt water. Store It in the garage.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

Do you have a garage? I mix in the garage, 30g R/O and 40g saltwater in brute cans. My tank’s only 90g, so do my water changes with 5g pales.

 

[starypotter]

Do you have a garage? I mix in the garage, 30g R/O and 40g saltwater in brute cans. My tank’s only 90g, so do my water changes with 5g pales.

I do have a garage... but it's down a full flight of stairs and it's my dad's space so very not available, he's not a fan of anything that even thinks of coming near his space ;Meh

 

[starypotter]

I just do my salt in 5g Home Depot buckets.
I make rodi in white stackable after containers once or twice a month. About 90mon per 5g.

The second rim is 5g. I measure salt by weight, 765g fritz, stir with two power heads for ten 20 min. And stick the salt water. Store It in the garage.

So I was wondering if I had a /ton/ of water movement would it help my mix time? I use Instant ocean/Reef Crystals so I know people say it should mix at least 24 hours and that's a long time to have so many buckets out and heating.

 

[Reefpuck]

Got a closet nearby? This is mine (still under construction). Basically takes up a 2' x 2' section in my closet. RO on top...salt mix on bottom. 25g containers.

 

[starypotter]

Got a closet nearby? This is mine (still under construction). Basically takes up a 2' x 2' section in my closet. RO on top...salt mix on bottom. 25g containers.

Oh something like that would be perfect, the tank is /right/ next to a closet. What would you call those containers for the sake of googling?

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I do have a garage... but it's down a full flight of stairs and it's my dad's space so very not available, he's not a fan of anything that even thinks of coming near his space ;Meh

Yeah, I hear ya. I’m the Dad, so it’s my space. Until you get your own, you just have to make do. Are your parents picky about your room? You can build a stack system in your room or closet with R/O and mixing.

 

[starypotter]

Yeah, I hear ya. I’m the Dad, so it’s my space. Until you get your own, you just have to make do. Are your parents picky about your room? You can build a stack system in your room or closet with R/O and mixing.

I like the idea of the stack systems, just not sure how to do one on a super low budget, I'll have to look into it on the DIY threads.

 

[Reefpuck]

Oh something like that would be perfect, the tank is /right/ next to a closet. What would you call those containers for the sake of googling?

Here is the link. They're a bit pricey with shipping (unless you can find a local distributor that carries them)...but well worth it IMO. I originally was gonna do two 20g glass tanks, but wanted the more compact size and better durability. They work great.

 

[Reefpuck]

https://www.ntotank.com/25gallon-norwesco-white-vertical-storage-tank-x2197105

Sorry here's the link...

 

[starypotter]

Here is the link. They're a bit pricey with shipping (unless you can find a local distributor that carries them)...but well worth it IMO. I originally was gonna do two 20g glass tanks, but wanted the more compact size and better durability. They work great.

I did consider tanks, they're so nice and neat for stacking and storage. Why did you go against them?

 

[Reefpuck]

I like the idea of the stack systems, just not sure how to do one on a super low budget, I'll have to look into it on the DIY threads.

Check craigslist. Sometimes you can find old food grade tanks like that for like $20 each. Not sure where you live...but feed stores or small hardware stores sometimes carry them. Good luck!

 

[Reefpuck]

I did consider tanks, they're so nice and neat for stacking and storage. Why did you go against them?

Durability and more compact. The tanks are about 18" in diameter, as opposed to a 20g which is wider. As you can see...I don't have a lot of space in that closet even with those tanks lol. Plus I won't cringe everytime I bump into them.

 

[starypotter]

https://www.ntotank.com/25gallon-norwesco-white-vertical-storage-tank-x2197105

Sorry here's the link...

Oh wow that's a bit pricy... wow. Even before shipping. I think I'd rather put trash cans in my room to be honest, spending 100+ on something a bit more visually related to the tank is one thing but I'm not sure I'm at that level yet.

 

[Reefpuck]

Oh wow that's a bit pricy... wow. Even before shipping. I think I'd rather put trash cans in my room to be honest, spending 100+ on something a bit more visually related to the tank is one thing but I'm not sure I'm at that level yet.

Two 20g brute trash cans can do the same exact thing as my setup. If you can fit them...that'd be your best bet.

 

[wesman42]

Oh wow that's a bit pricy... wow. Even before shipping. I think I'd rather put trash cans in my room to be honest, spending 100+ on something a bit more visually related to the tank is one thing but I'm not sure I'm at that level yet.

Do you have the over-priced dolly that goes with the brutes?

That has been a HUGE help when I mix it in our spare room, and pump it out in another.

 

[starypotter]

Two 20g brute trash cans can do the same exact thing as my setup. If you can fit them...that'd be your best bet.

That's what I was trying to tell my mom hopefully being able to show her that link for the $70 buckets might convince her that trash cans are good.

 

[starypotter]

Do you have the over-priced dolly that goes with the brutes?

That has been a HUGE help when I mix it in our spare room, and pump it out in another.

We do have some dollies I might commandeer one if it fits the garbage can. Do you make your water and mix water in separate containers?

 

[wesman42]

We do have some dollies I might commandeer one if it fits the garbage can. Do you make your water and mix water in separate containers?

I use a 5 gallon bucket with my ATO that sits next to the tank, in a small closet thing from Walmart.

I use 1 35 gallon brute for mixing of new saltwater. I use a python to drain the water down to a pre-measured level on the tank, then I actually marked the inside of the brute for 5,10,15,20,25,30 gallons. I use IO because it's a good deal and it's what most public aquariums use.

So basically, my fiance doesn't like large items like that out in the open either, so it sits in a closet when I'm not using it or if I haven't mixed the salt yet. It's basically only out of hiding when im doing a water change. I even mix the salt in the closet lol!