RODI / Salt / Mixing question

[Calpoly2103]

Hey everyone,

I was planning on buying 2 BRUTE containers. One 20 gallon to get water out of my tank during water changes to pour out. Then another 32 Gallon container to fill with RODI water and mix salt.

From reading some threads it looks like people's RODI containers are seperate from Mixing containers. So this would mean I would need THREE brute containers...one to store RODI, one to MIX RODI and one to dispose aquarium water.

Is there a better option? Any folks out there use 1 brute container to fill RODI, and then mix in that same container?

Thanks!

 

[Mjrenz]

20 gallons is going to a awfully heavy to handle in a trash can, most keep one container for salt water and one container for fresh to top off. Two containers is also good for keeping extra water incase of an emergency so you don't have to wait for your filter to make water. You'll be much better off just using 5 gallon buckets to dump your old water

 

[Calpoly2103]

I only will be doing a 5 gallon water change weekly. So my plan was to only put 5 gallons in the 20 gallon container and wheel it out to dump it. I have 2 5 gallon containers which I will be using as top off containers. I guess my concern is using the 32 gallon container for when the RODI is created, and then use that same container to mix. I've read people having TDS issues, but i just dont have the room for 3 large brute containers and I'd rather have something on wheels rather than carry 5 gallon jugs

Thanks!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hey everyone,

I was planning on buying 2 BRUTE containers. One 20 gallon to get water out of my tank during water changes to pour out. Then another 32 Gallon container to fill with RODI water and mix salt.

From reading some threads it looks like people's RODI containers are seperate from Mixing containers. So this would mean I would need THREE brute containers...one to store RODI, one to MIX RODI and one to dispose aquarium water.

Is there a better option? Any folks out there use 1 brute container to fill RODI, and then mix in that same container?

Thanks!

I've used a grey brute 20 gallon on wheels years ago for RO/DI and mixing. It's harder with one because of needing straight water for top off.

Having two is much better. Draining, you can use trash cans or if possible, a python type water drain/fill system.

 

[Mjrenz]

That makes a lot more sense lol. Since space is a concern you could use the same container to create and mix, I would just rinse it well after each use. You could store fresh and salt water in 5 gallon buckets, personally I'd probably keep at least 15 gallons of each on hand

 

[Pntbll687]

If you're planning on just 5g changes, I would go with some buckets to mix in and siphon from tank. This is the size water changes I do in my nano. I mix the new water, then just match the amount coming out of the tank to that.

I'd still keep the 20g as storage for RO water.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I have 2 large Brute for my 180. I have a magdrive pump and 50 feet of cheap tubing from Home Depot attached to the end of my gravel siphon.

I marked a line on my tank to the exact level where the water should be after I drain it.

I fill the Brute with Rodi. Drop the magdrive pump into it and mix in salt. I take the gravel siphon attached to the tubing and drain the water down to the line I marked my n my tank. I have the other end of the tube in a drain. After I reach the line I marked,I take the end of the line from the drain and attach it to the mag pump and pump from the brute into the tank to refil

All done. No mess, no measuring. I could use 1 bucket if it was not a 180. Trick is marking the water line. After that your set.

 

[Calpoly2103]

Thanks everyone....this is pretty helpful.