Mixing station / water change question

[mickske]

Nice setup

 

[Big G]

for above i used tanks from Rural King they were great. I use a PVC hose from the mixing station to the DT in the other room. No buckets for anything! A 55gallon brute can on wheels takes care of waste water!

Welcome to R2R! Merry Christmas!

 

[mickske]

So i found a local seller where i can pickup leg tanks for $95 35 gallons...

Think I'll be picking up 2 tomorrow, and start my journey in building my mixing station. Whish me luck

 

[Ocelaris]

For the priming of the pump, I use a single tube left in the tank that I first pump water out, and then switch some ball valves so it fills it back up never are the lines dry. Just use the same line for drain and fill and you'll not have an issue with priming. If you want me to diagram or take shots, let me know. But I have to give the wife credit here as she's the plumbing wizard.

 

[Big G]

But I have to give the wife credit here as she's the plumbing wizard.

A wise statement.

 

[don_chuwish]

I really like my combination of Roto-Mold for RO water and Brute for mixing. The Roto-Mold is nicely sealed up against contaminants and the Brute is easy to get inside for cleaning when crud builds up. Easy to add an extra circulation pump & heater too.

 

[mickske]

So i got my containers pump and plumbing.

Plumbing the thing was a bit harder then expected took me several trips to the big orange store and a good 4 hours

But here is the result, everything seems to be working so far!

 

[Big G]

Nice looking setup. You are going to love it. Happy New Year!

 

[mickske]

Haven't even properly used it yet and love it already

Happy New Year to you to!

 

[Bmezz]

So i got my containers pump and plumbing.

Plumbing the thing was a bit harder then expected took me several trips to the big orange store and a good 4 hours

But here is the result, everything seems to be working so far!

The critical functions are being able to get fresh water to the mixing tank, circulate and mix with the pump, send fresh and /or salt water to the DT.
If you can do all those things you plumbs right!

 

[mickske]

Yes so far i can do all these things only thing i still need to test this weekend is pulling water out of my aquarium with the pump. If that doesn't work the way i want is not a huge deal i can run a hose outside but it would be nice if it does haha

 

[Bmezz]

Yes so far i can do all these things only thing i still need to test this weekend is pulling water out of my aquarium with the pump. If that doesn't work the way i want is not a huge deal i can run a hose outside but it would be nice if it does haha

I didnt use this system for water out of the aquarium not sure why you would do that? i got a new Brute 55 gallon trash can on wheels from home depot. put a bulhead with hose and valve on the bottom. wheel it to the tank and take the water out and then wheel it to a drain and empty! works great!

 

[mickske]

So i want to avoid hauling brute cans or buckets. I designed it in a way i can use the tank as an input on my pump.

So basically connect my hose to one connection and drain water, while the hose still hangs on the aquarium connect it to an other connection on the mixing station and pump fresh salt water back to the tank. No dificulties and no hauling anything that was my goal.

Now just hoping it works.

 

[Bmezz]

well you want to get all the "old" water out before you put in clean new water right? And your letting the old water go thru the pump?
anyway everyone has their way.. with the rolling trash can i dont lift a bucket and can do a water change in less than an hour....
if it works for you then good for you!!!

 

[mickske]

Yes the old water will run through the pump then after that i will flush with a gallon or so ro water to "clean" it and then pump fresh water back

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I made a “u” tube out of pvc to hang on the tank. My hose has quick connects on each end, one from my hang on u and one to my mixing station plumbing. You have to Prime the pump with water, it won’t suck all the air out. I overcame this by drilling a small hole on my u tube. Inserting a piece of silicone airline tubing, silicone it in. I connected an in line airline valve to the tubing and put another small piece airline tubing to that. To Prime my pump (get water into the tubing), I open the airline valve and suck the air out with my mouth. This takes less then a minute. Water will fill the tubing, shut the airline valve, turn your pump on, and you are good to go.

Can you post a picture of this. Sounds like a nifty idea

 

[ltmsc]

Can you post a picture of this. Sounds like a nifty idea

There is a picture of it on the first page of this thread.