Laundry room mixing station build

Headhunter · Sep 14, 2018

After reading through countless pages and studying many pictures on this forum AND some serious negotiation with the wife (and gifts), I invaded her laundry room. I took a long time to decide which tanks to purchase, b/c I had to shoehorn them in the laundry room not to interfere with laundry operations. I quickly decided on Brute cans b/c they were cheap and they would fit. Then my wife said, “you are putting garbage cans in my laundry room?” So then I showed her a picture of the Ace Roto and she begrudgingly agreed, of course to the expensive tanks. I went with the 40-gallon vertical tanks. Next, I ordered all my plumbing supplies from BRS. I built a wood stand with 2x4s and ¾” Plywood. Bought a Panworld 100PX b/c I have to go ~60ft and upstairs. I’m hoping to dry fit everything this weekend. I’ll post a complete part list with prices when I complete it.

Crabs McJones · Sep 14, 2018

Looks awesome so far! I really like the DIY stand

Following along for progress

Ruben's Reef · Sep 14, 2018

Nice setup. Following>>>>

Saltybuckeye · Sep 14, 2018

Nice clean looking build.

Headhunter · Sep 17, 2018

Thank you, and thank you for following along!

I made some progress this weekend between kids soccer games and basketball tournaments. I dry fit just about all of the plumbing, of course, need to place another BRS order for a few parts. Installed and tested the RO/DI and TDS meter. TDS was reading 6 on output...when do you guys typically change media?

Dom · Sep 17, 2018

Is that algae growth I see in the canister under the TDS meter?

I think that how often you change your media depends on the water quality of your area. Also, do you have a flush valve installed on your RODI? I find a 10 minute flush after making 5 gallons goes a long way in extending the life of your filter membrane.

I have been thinking about building a more relevant mixing station. Currently, I have a 10 gallon basin into which my RODI water goes along with a mixing pump.

Could you please explain your layout and how it works?

- How big are the holding tanks?

- Why two tanks?

-Why are they connected together?

Following.

Headhunter · Sep 17, 2018

oh man...it does look that way, nice catch. When I took the RO/DI down, I left it in my garage for a few days...must have happened then. I bought all new filters/media to replace. I'll clean and change ASAP.

Tanks are Ace Roto 40g each...one for RO water and the other to mix SW - my plan is to have 40g of RO (left) and 40G of SW (right) on hand at all times. I'm using Panworld 100PX to pump SW from my holding tank (on right) in laundry room upstairs to sump for a water change. They are connected so I can pump RO water to the SW mixing tank.

My design is not at all original. there are a bunch of threads on here with ideas. Here are two that I found VERY helpful

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i...tion-please-share-your-pictures-ideas.281744/

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/let’s-mix-it-up-designing-and-using-a-water-mixing-station.77/

don_chuwish · Sep 20, 2018

Looking good! BRS and Spears LOVE you for all those ball valves!

Dom · Sep 20, 2018

What are the capacity of the holding tanks?

Where did you get them?

How much?

Headhunter · Sep 21, 2018

don_chuwish said:
Looking good! BRS and Spears LOVE you for all those ball valves!

I should be BRS customer of the month for the stuff I order lately.

Headhunter · Sep 21, 2018

Dom said:
What are the capacity of the holding tanks?

Where did you get them?

How much?

They are 40G. Ordered them online from https://www.usplastic.com/ they were ~$105 each plus $92 for S&H. I ordered from them b/c they were the cheapest shipping charge I could find. Best bet is to find them locally from tractor supply, etc.

For $92 shipping, I think they could have done a better job packing the tanks...just wrap them (see pics)...they were a little scratched, but fine.

Headhunter · Sep 24, 2018

Zero TDS, all good in the hood...next step, glue PVC...

Burrito · Sep 24, 2018

following, looks like the 40g are backordered now from ups

, i only see the tamco tanks from ups, you have a link to exactly the one you ordered?

Headhunter · Oct 12, 2018

Everything is water tested and glued - filling the tanks as we speak. I just have to add a T to the RO lines into the tanks, thermometer, set timers and I'm good to go.
I'm hoping to do my 1st water change this weekend and will post a picture with my hose setup as well.

A few lessons learned...
1) measure 3-4 times, cut once
2) don't make big changes to the project without sleeping on it - slow and steady wins the race
3) this hobby is expensive
4) use thread seal tape (plumbers tape) on all threaded PVS connections
5) happy wife, happy life

don_chuwish · Oct 12, 2018

Looking good! But don't get everyone started on the whole teflon tape debate!

dbl · Oct 13, 2018

This looks great @Headhunter...very nice job. I am particularly fond of one of the threads you linked above.

What have you decided to use as a "hose" to get water to the tank? Or are you going the bucket route?

Kjlife · Oct 13, 2018

Looks very nice I need to suck it up and start on this project myself

Headhunter · Nov 8, 2018

dbl said:
This looks great @Headhunter...very nice job. I am particularly fond of one of the threads you linked above.

What have you decided to use as a "hose" to get water to the tank? Or are you going the bucket route?

Thank you @dbl , although I have a few more minor adjustments before I claim victory. BTW while I like really your concept of how you ran the wires and hoses into the mixing tanks via uniseal, but I was looking for a little more cleaner way...have you seen anything that caught your eye?

I just bought 75 ft python hose...I added a bulkhead to my sink too. I upload a few more pictures next week.