mixing stations: why dont we use glass aquariums?

Devaji · Oct 9, 2020

So in my research of mixing stations I know most ppl use the norwesco or roto mold poly tank in a white.
some use brute or the blue drums.

but my question is why don't we use aquariums? like 40br 55s or larger on a rack system?
seems like that would be a good solution.....what am i missing? I read through the 2 big threads on mixing station and have yet to see anyone do it.

something like this:

not my photo but you get the idea.
top tank or tanks for RODI jutst like in a water storage tank drill the bottom to gravity feed to lower mixing tank.
lower tank would have internal pump to mix. ( cold even go ext. if that was wanted/needed)

both tanks would have glass lids silicone in place to keep the dust out.

so why dont we use this method? cant seem to find the water storage tanks locally and shipping is 2-3X the cost of the tank.

SPR1968 · Oct 9, 2020

You can use glass tanks, or containers, but I think the problem is for many, there just not big enough and glass is also very heavy in comparison. Plastic also can’t break.

I’ve got 2 425 litres plastic water containers that I can move and lift when empty. If they were glass no chance

You can use whatever you want so if the tank idea is good for what you need, volumes etc, go for it.

Yevoc · Oct 9, 2020

Expensive per gallon. Annoying to drill versus a Brute. Heavy and fragile to move, Brute with wheels can be moved when full carefully.

Edit also no to that stand design the weight is supported by the screws.

Devaji · Oct 9, 2020

Yevoc said:
Expensive per gallon. Annoying to drill versus a Brute. Heavy and fragile to move, Brute with wheels can be moved when full carefully.

Edit also no to that stand design the weight is supported by the screws.

yeah for sure that was just an image i pulled off the net to get an idea.

I can get a 40br or 55 from petco 1per gallon sale vs a norwesco 65 gal for $200
dont get mt wrong I want to use the poly tanks just trying to think of an economical way to get my AWC going as I will also need a DOS.

the GF wants me to go bigger than the 65 gal - ha she great she said if you are going to do it do it right and have more than a month of water change!

Devaji · Oct 9, 2020

SPR1968 said:
You can use glass tanks, or containers, but I think the problem is for many, there just not big enough and glass is also very heavy in comparison. Plastic also can’t break.

I’ve got 2 425 litres plastic water containers that I can move and lift when empty. If they were glass no chance

You can use whatever you want so if the tank idea is good for what you need, volumes etc, go for it.

also was just thinking of a PLYwood tank for the mixing station. I am thinking about building a large ply. tank so this could give me some practice. pretty sure it will not be cost effective but would be a fun and cool project. prob. not gonna do it but its a cool idea.

the thinkgis I have 2 -40br and a stack able stand i could just use . I would like more that 40 gals of ATO & AWC water tho. guess that is why most dont do aquariums.

Pedal Dangit · Oct 9, 2020

I use a 30 gallon tall tank for my RODI reservoir and I drilled the bottom for a valve to fill my mixing brute

these cheap rimmed tanks are amazingly strong. it has a big chip in the side and I have banged stuff into the valve multiple time, fully expecting it to crack. so far it has held up.

Clownfish_Boy · Oct 9, 2020

I wouldn't even consider using an aquarium; my mixing drum has to be mobile in order to get the water to my tank..... So it sits atop an old EKG machine cart.

chipmunkofdoom2 · Oct 9, 2020

Devaji said:
yeah for sure that was just an image i pulled off the net to get an idea.

I can get a 40br or 55 from petco 1per gallon sale vs a norwesco 65 gal for $200
dont get mt wrong I want to use the poly tanks just trying to think of an economical way to get my AWC going as I will also need a DOS.

the GF wants me to go bigger than the 65 gal - ha she great she said if you are going to do it do it right and have more than a month of water change!

Norwescos aren't a great example of why plastic tanks are too expensive to use for mixing stations. They're one of the more expensive plastic/poly options that reefers can choose. 44g Brute trash cans cost $45 at Lowes and Home Depot. If your Lowes/Home Depot doesn't carry the 44g, they'll ship it to store free. So Brute trash cans end up being one of the cheapest options for mixing containers you can get. That's also ignoring all the other benefits of a plastic container... light, easy to move... easy to drill/plumb... you'll never bust a seal and have dozens of gallons of saltwater all over your floor... they're forgiving if they're not on a 100% flat surface and supported perfectly at the corners, etc.

If you want to use glass tanks for a mixing station you can. They'll work just fine for the purpose. The answer to why more people don't is because they're more expensive, they're more difficult to move/clean/plumb, they're more difficult to support properly, and they're more prone to failure.

Devaji · Oct 9, 2020

I did find this cheaper vertical water storage tank.

its not clear so you cant see the water all as good as the white ones. from the few reviews I see on it I get the impression there not built as well as roto mold/ norwesco but the price is right for a 100 gal tank.
might try it out.

TriggerFinger · Oct 9, 2020

If you have rural king or tractor supply stores near you, you can order from them and have it shipped to the store to pick up and avoid high the shipping cost.

excell007 · Oct 9, 2020

You can do whatever works for you. I have done it before. But now I use plastic because I can move a 40 gallon plastic container filled with water close to my tank to do the WC, you cannot do that on a 40 gallon glass tank. Of course you can pump it all the way from the mixing station but that's another 50 feet of hose and extension cord to control the submersible pump when you're near the DT.

terraincognita · Oct 9, 2020

Devaji said:
So in my research of mixing stations I know most ppl use the norwesco or roto mold poly tank in a white.
some use brute or the blue drums.

but my question is why don't we use aquariums? like 40br 55s or larger on a rack system?
seems like that would be a good solution.....what am i missing? I read through the 2 big threads on mixing station and have yet to see anyone do it.

something like this:

not my photo but you get the idea.
top tank or tanks for RODI jutst like in a water storage tank drill the bottom to gravity feed to lower mixing tank.
lower tank would have internal pump to mix. ( cold even go ext. if that was wanted/needed)

both tanks would have glass lids silicone in place to keep the dust out.

so why dont we use this method? cant seem to find the water storage tanks locally and shipping is 2-3X the cost of the tank.

IMO man,

If you want to do this.

Do it.

It’s a container for water.

Whether it’s in a tub, tank, bag, box, if it makes YOUR life easier and you think it works better go for it.

I know some people like to be able to have a lid and move their reservoirs around.

If moving around your reservoir is not needed then you don’t need an item that makes it easy for you to move

There’s reefers who live out of 5G buckets and jugs. I think if you’re doing anything that’s an upgrade from that. You’re winning.

Devaji · Oct 9, 2020

excell007 said:
You can do whatever works for you. I have done it before. But now I use plastic because I can move a 40 gallon plastic container filled with water close to my tank to do the WC, you cannot do that on a 40 gallon glass tank. Of course you can pump it all the way from the mixing station but that's another 50 feet of hose and extension cord to control the submersible pump when you're near the DT.

my fish room/mixing station is right under the tank so I'll be using my apex to do awc of gal. min to 2 gal max to start off with and go from there. so I dont need to move the tanks...until
I do. HA

@TriggerFinger I do have Tractor supply about 1.5 hr drive each way they have the 65gl norwesco tanks for $199 was just looking for cheaper/other options.

as of now I think I might try those 100gal tanks I posted above. might need to make a spyglass to see the water level but that should be pretty easy...i think.

RobW · Jan 5, 2021

Devaji said:
So in my research of mixing stations I know most ppl use the norwesco or roto mold poly tank in a white.
some use brute or the blue drums.

but my question is why don't we use aquariums? like 40br 55s or larger on a rack system?
seems like that would be a good solution.....what am i missing? I read through the 2 big threads on mixing station and have yet to see anyone do it.

something like this:

not my photo but you get the idea.
top tank or tanks for RODI jutst like in a water storage tank drill the bottom to gravity feed to lower mixing tank.
lower tank would have internal pump to mix. ( cold even go ext. if that was wanted/needed)

both tanks would have glass lids silicone in place to keep the dust out.

so why dont we use this method? cant seem to find the water storage tanks locally and shipping is 2-3X the cost of the tank.

Yikes! I cringe every single time I see someone build a stand or something like that. That is a recipe for disaster! All the weight on a couple of screws. The uprights are supposed to carry the load. Thats why they are there. Not to mention the fact that they bought some twisted splintery 2x4's from the local home depot and slapped that contraption together in about 20 minutes. No glued joints either. Just plain weak.

krash7172 · Jan 5, 2021

I have a glass tank for mixing because it fit perfectly in my space. Only problem is that it's on the floor and I can't drain it completely.

Clownfish_Boy · Jan 6, 2021

No way I would use a glass tank for mixing; I have the perfect arrangement: A 15 gallon plastic drum on a rolling stand....

WvAquatics · Jan 6, 2021

Check Facebook yard sale for used food safe water container. It's hard to find clean ones but a chance you can find some drums or containers for the price of a brute and the wheels.

Macbalacano · Jan 6, 2021

terraincognita said:
IMO man,

If you want to do this.

Do it.

It’s a container for water.

Whether it’s in a tub, tank, bag, box, if it makes YOUR life easier and you think it works better go for it.

I know some people like to be able to have a lid and move their reservoirs around.

If moving around your reservoir is not needed then you don’t need an item that makes it easy for you to move

There’s reefers who live out of 5G buckets and jugs. I think if you’re doing anything that’s an upgrade from that. You’re winning.