Mixing Station Containers

BfishLpond78 · Feb 1, 2016

I'm curious where everyone gets those white poly tanks that have preinstalled bulkheads on them. Looking to put together a mixing station. Would prefer to not use brute containers, but will if I can't source locally.

Have found some online but shipping costs more than the container, lol.

I'm in CT.

reefrider777 · Feb 1, 2016

Farm store like Tractor Supply?

Broadfield · Feb 2, 2016

If you have a Farm & Fleet locally, then this is the way to go:

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/064724-norwesco-65-gallon-vertical-storage-tank.html

I'm using two of them in my setup

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

gtbarsi · Feb 2, 2016

BfishLpond78 said:
I'm curious where everyone gets those white poly tanks that have preinstalled bulkheads on them. Looking to put together a mixing station. Would prefer to not use brute containers, but will if I can't source locally.

Have found some online but shipping costs more than the container, lol.

I'm in CT.

I am also in CT, and found someone on craig's list selling used food grade containers. I bought a couple of 15 gallon containers off of them, drilled them and used uni-seals for the plumbing connections. The cost was a fraction of what I would have been. I believe the person had 55 gallon drums as well. If you go that route make sure that they are food grade and you will want to clean them really well before filling them with RODI that you can check the TDS of, before letting the container sit (sealed) for a week or more and then check the TDS of the water again. If you see it go up then either then you need to clean it again, and might consider letting it sit with some water and vinigar, or it may not be an actual food grade container. I have had no issues with mine...

rayn · Feb 2, 2016

I was just searching them myself. We have a Big R and a tractor supply in town and both have 35 gallon containers for 80 bucks a piece. Farm N Fleet is a town away and haven't looked yet.

ps2cho · Feb 2, 2016

Go to norwesco site and find distributor

BfishLpond78 · Feb 2, 2016

reefrider777 said:
Farm store like Tractor Supply?

Tractor supply only sells the 35 gallon container with the legs. Was hoping for something vertical so I could incorporate pumps for mixing.

BfishLpond78 · Feb 2, 2016

Broadfield said:
If you have a Farm & Fleet locally, then this is the way to go:

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/064724-norwesco-65-gallon-vertical-storage-tank.html

I'm using two of them in my setup

IMG_4021 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

These are the type I am looking for...i don't believe we have a Farm and Fleet in CT

gtbarsi · Feb 2, 2016

The shipping cost on these containers makes them a really tough sell if you do not have anyone locally selling them, I personally do not know of any stores in CT that carry them. You might try calling around to commercial plumbing supply dealers to see if they have any suggestions.

If you are willing to invest some time there are several people selling 55+ gallon food grade drums in CT.
https://hartford.craigslist.org/search/sss?sort=rel&query=food grade

To plumb a drum you just need to decide what size PVC you want and get a uniseal for that size and the appropriately sized hole saw. Drilling with the hole saw is easy and once the hole is cleaned up and you install the unseal and your PVC, you are water tight. Someone correct me if I am wrong but provided they are installed correctly unseals don't leak. They probably do not hold up to pipe flexing as well as a bulkhead, but bulk heads are not designed for that or carrying weight.

Drilling one of the expensive storage tanks compared to a "Cheep" drum makes more sense to me, and eventually you will want / need to drill holes in whatever container you are going to use unless you are going to watch it like a hawk when you are filling. I do not know about everyone but the only reason I never flooded my basement with RO/DI is thanks to the fill / float cut off switch that I installed at the top of my drums. In addition I have drilled holes for electronic float switches, to protect equipment and alert me when water levels reach certain points. I visit my basement at least every three days but it is good to know exactly when I run out of mixed salt water or RODI for the ATO (the pickup for my ATO is near the top of my RO/DI tank so no more than 5 gallons could ever get added). The long story short my drums don't quite resemble Swiss cheese but there are a lot of holes that I put in to them, and I find having a top that completely comes off is a good thing.

IF you do find a place in CT that sells the really nice containers like the ones you are looking for please let me know, as I am considering an upgrade.

BfishLpond78 · Feb 2, 2016

Good point gtbarsi, I guess I could get away with 40-55 gallon brute garbage cans. I was hoping for something a little nicer looking, lol.

I didn't think about using uni-seals on the containers.

gtbarsi · Feb 2, 2016

I personally am using 15 gallon drums like one of these...

Reefinny · Feb 2, 2016

BfishLpond78 said:
Tractor supply only sells the 35 gallon container with the legs. Was hoping for something vertical so I could incorporate pumps for mixing.

They can special order