Salt mixing and water storage question

[TallDude]

Somewhat of a noob question..

I've been out of the aquarium hobby for several years and am starting to get back into it.. Previously I would mix salt in a 5 gallon bucket from tap water.. not the best way to do it, so this time I want to use a better method.

I'm working on setting up a water storage system like the one on Glass Reef..

Glass Reef - Projects - Water Storage

My wife and I visited a local place that supplies food grade tanks and were originally looking at two 200 gallon tanks.. one for mixed saltwater, and one for fresh RO/DI.. while there.. the guy says "you know.. I have these 2 brand new tanks that are a bit larger that I could sell you for about the same price... one is 330 gallons and the other is 325 gallons..". The wife said "SOLD!" and now they are in the garage.. Gotta love her 

I've been reading about various salts on here and the manufacturers websites and I'm still somewhat undecided between Red Sea Pro Coral and ESV.. but my bigger question at the moment is WHERE should this mixing occur.

I don't want to clog an external pump with undissolved salt. Should I mix it in the 330 gallon tank directly? In some other tank, such as a brute trash can full of fresh RO/DI and then pump that into the 330? I'm trying to avoid the brown residue that every says the Red Sea Coral Pro leaves if I go that with that salt and I also don't want to end up with 330 gallons of water that is the wrong salinity.

So what do you do? Do you mix the salt in your large saltwater storage tank? Do you let it dissolve in some other tank and transfer it?

I'm open to ideas

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[caldone]

I used 2 55 gal plastic barrels
I have one little giant 3-mdq-sc tee'd to both
When the rodi container is full I valve it open to pump water into the other tank where salt is mixed. I valve off the rodi tank and the pump mixes my salt. I have used that pump for 1000's of gallons and never had a problem. I also use it to pump mixed water to my tank

 

[caldone]

Same way pictured in your link

 

[Wrx5803]

That is a very nice setup in link. I don't have to room or ability to do that right now. I just use 2 30 gallon barrels

 

[jduck]

I have 2x 75 gal tanks. I've been using esv and there is no residue from the last year.

I keep the right side full of rodi and dont add salt till needed. Only takes a few hours to heat it. Then dump in esv. Left side is rodi only. But could be used to mix in emergency. I have since built a stand for them to sit on, high enough to store 5 gal buckets under it.
What size tank is it that you need 200g reservoir?

 

[mcarroll]

It's best to mix salt as-needed, in a clean container, to be used "ASAP". And keep your dry salt mix DRY (sealed) in between uses.

Generally it's better to keep your RODI supply pure and separate from the mixing operation.

-Matt

 

[TallDude]

Thanks guys....

Jduck, I'm setting up a few tanks...
A 180 gallon reef with a 150 gallon sump
A 125 gallon FOWLR with probably a 30 gallon sump
A 30 gallon cube with clownfish
and have a 90 gallon African Cichlid tank

It will take some time, but I remember how addicted to the hobby I was the last time I was in it, so I figured I'd do it right this time and make sure I have enough water ready to handle anything that comes up. Also I figure some of my fellow reef club members might need some from time to time.