My New Water Making Station...

DJ Monty · Dec 5, 2016

I decided it was time to change my water making station, my first attempt had a few small issues & one major issue.. The main small issue was that the Brute cans I used were not marked off in gallons so it made it difficult to know how much salt to add unless I did full batches.. My major issue with the whole thing was that the schedule 40 valves I used from Home Depot started to freeze up & break after just 8 weeks use..
I needed a mixing tank between about 60 & 100 gallons & found one at Sprayer Depot in Orlando that was 80g. So, after a trip out to pick that up and an order of Cepex valves from BRS it was time to put it together.. Tank was put into place with a small frame around it to support one 32g Brute can. The idea is that I can make 30gallons of RO/DI & store it in the top tank then drop it into the mixing tank when I'm ready.

Next the Brute can went in & it was all piped up..
I set it up in such a way that depending on how the valves are set I can either just have the water recirculating to mix salt or I can have it sucking water from any of the tanks to a drain & then by moving the hose from inlet to outlet I can pump new salt water back to the tank.. The Cepex valves are so easy to use & more than worth the money..
Also, I connected the pump to a remote control unit (less than $15 at Home Depot) so I can set the hoses up & then start & stop the system running from the tank so I can monitor what's going on..

helen ann · Dec 5, 2016

Very Nice.

I need to do something like this.

ReefNerd76 · Dec 5, 2016

DJ Monty said:
I decided it was time to change my water making station, my first attempt had a few small issues & one major issue.. The main small issue was that the Brute cans I used were not marked off in gallons so it made it difficult to know how much salt to add unless I did full batches.. My major issue with the whole thing was that the schedule 40 valves I used from Home Depot started to freeze up & break after just 8 weeks use..
I needed a mixing tank between about 60 & 100 gallons & found one at Sprayer Depot in Orlando that was 80g. So, after a trip out to pick that up and an order of Cepex valves from BRS it was time to put it together.. Tank was put into place with a small frame around it to support one 32g Brute can. The idea is that I can make 30gallons of RO/DI & store it in the top tank then drop it into the mixing tank when I'm ready.

Next the Brute can went in & it was all piped up..
I set it up in such a way that depending on how the valves are set I can either just have the water recirculating to mix salt or I can have it sucking water from any of the tanks to a drain & then by moving the hose from inlet to outlet I can pump new salt water back to the tank.. The Cepex valves are so easy to use & more than worth the money..
Also, I connected the pump to a remote control unit (less than $15 at Home Depot) so I can set the hoses up & then start & stop the system running from the tank so I can monitor what's going on..

Jealous

Waterjockey · Dec 5, 2016

Sweet! Slick installation

Ewilson · Dec 6, 2016

What pump are you using and how far do you have to send the water to get to your tank

DJ Monty · Dec 6, 2016

Ewilson said:
What pump are you using and how far do you have to send the water to get to your tank

I'm using a Fluval SP2 pump.. My farthest tank is around 40 to 45 feet away from the pump..

pelphrey · Dec 6, 2016

Looks great! The easier it is the better, I need to start using a hose VS carry buckets to my tank for water changes. It's a good shoulder workout though!

JBradford · Dec 6, 2016

Nice setup! I like how compact it is. Is this in your garage or basement?

DJ Monty · Dec 6, 2016

JBradford said:
Nice setup! I like how compact it is. Is this in your garage or basement?

It's in the garage.. We don't have a basement....

GnarleyMarley · Dec 6, 2016

I'm working on building a awc station now, and love your setup. what size tubing/plumbing are you using to pump water to & from your aquariums?

DJ Monty · Dec 6, 2016

GnarleyMarley said:
I'm working on building a awc station now, and love your setup. what size tubing/plumbing are you using to pump water to & from your aquariums?

The system itself is plumbed with 1" & I move the water to & from the tanks with regular RV drinking water hose....

revhtree · Dec 6, 2016

Nice job!

JBradford · Dec 6, 2016

DJ Monty said:
It's in the garage.. We don't have a basement....

Same here. Would be nice sometimes.

DJ Monty · Dec 6, 2016

revhtree said:
Nice job!

JBradford said:
Same here. Would be nice sometimes.

Thank you...

dbl · Dec 6, 2016

Nice job @DJ Monty. You'll love the convenience you just created for yourself.

For those viewing this nice setup, and may be wanting even a little more information, I'll reference an article recently written discussing mixing stations here.

Wingizzmo · Dec 9, 2016

Is that outlet fed by a GFCI if not you may want to put one in cheep insurance your life is worth it .

DJ Monty · Dec 9, 2016

Wingizzmo said:
Is that outlet fed by a GFCI if not you may want to put one in cheep insurance your life is worth it .

The outlet fed by a GFCI. Thanks for checking

Bluefish9 · Dec 18, 2016

Looking good. Only issue you may want to address... the pump should be mounted lower otherwise you're likely to have a hard time pumping out the water that is below the level of the pump in that tank. That could equal what looks to be about 30 gallons of water you cant use.

ReeferMaddness843 · Dec 18, 2016

Very nice work! Clean install and well organized. I like!

DJ Monty · Dec 18, 2016

Bluefish9 said:
Looking good. Only issue you may want to address... the pump should be mounted lower otherwise you're likely to have a hard time pumping out the water that is below the level of the pump in that tank. That could equal what looks to be about 30 gallons of water you cant use.

I've already used this a number of times & it pumps to the bottom with no problem at all...