Salt mixing station with brute cans

[helwrj28]

Hi there guys new to reefing here, I had a question about setting up a saltwater mixing station, I have a 5-stage RODI and 2 brute cans.. what equipment do you recommend using to mix the RODI to make saltwater? What connectors and valves do you use with the brute cans?

 

[Deezill]

for mixing it you can use the external pump that connects the two brutes. I'll find some pics and show you. Welcome to R2R.

 

[Stang67]

Same as what Deezill said. I have an external pump that i can use to transfer the rodi to the salt bin, mix the salt and tranfer either rodi or salt to the ATO or Sump for water changes. I also have a manual valve for each to drain.

 

[helwrj28]

Thanks for the info and pic!

 

[left74]

Here is my set up. 3/4” PVC and fitting all the way around.

 

[helwrj28]

Thanks for the photos, I'm looking for a basic way to create a 3-way valve between the 2 brute cans. Any recommendations on pvc fittings I'll need?

 

[JGT]

Here is my set up. 3/4” PVC and fitting all the way around.

Just a question..SW is lower brute, correct? Looks like a pain to get lid off and salt in with PVC in front. Is it?

 

[Bfragale]

Here’s the one I built. Maybe some ideas

Mixing Station Build

Mixing station Approx $400 to build. Used RO/DI 7 stage - came with new media $100 A few extra parts to hook up ro/di $40 Used little giant pump $40 Used food grade 30 gal barrels $40 each Misc Plumbing etc. $100 Used stand $40 I had the idea based off a few I saw online but wanted it to be...

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[Billldg]

I didn't use Brute trash cans, but I showed a picture to maybe help you figure out what you need to attach the Brute cans and make it work. Just look at the plumbing. It all depends on what you want it to do.

 

[135reef]

The plumbing, valves, etc will be somewhat dependent on your setup and space. Here is another example based on the station we just built. Two (2) 65g containers, 10" filter, Blue Line AC pump. In our scenario, gravity feeds the mixing tank on the bottom. The pump is managed by our Apex and mixes 10min every 6hrs to make sure the auto water changes are consistent. The mixing tank pump is interlocked with a switch in the container to turn off the pump if the level gets too low. The bulk water tank on top has a float and safety switch tied to the Apex.

Draw out your system. Make sure you include unions and/or union valves and the ability to isolate the pump if you need to do maintenance while the reservoir is full.

 

[badams.one]

I didn't use Brute trash cans, but I showed a picture to maybe help you figure out what you need to attach the Brute cans and make it work. Just look at the plumbing. It all depends on what you want it to do.

Nice setup! I'm curious if you ever clean the pvc? I've had my brute trash can stack running for 2 years now, and have noticed a thick layer of brown gunk buildup in the pvc, which I think is leeching phosphate into my water. What are your thoughts on the leeching? And if you are cleaning your pvc, how are you cleaning and how often? Thanks for your help!

 

[Billldg]

Nice setup! I'm curious if you ever clean the pvc? I've had my brute trash can stack running for 2 years now, and have noticed a thick layer of brown gunk buildup in the pvc, which I think is leeching phosphate into my water. What are your thoughts on the leeching? And if you are cleaning your pvc, how are you cleaning and how often? Thanks for your help!

Thank you, I just set it up not to long ago, so I haven’t had to clean anything yet. In all likelihood I will tear down and clean the station yearly, unless needed sooner. I will try to find a brush that I can shove down the 1 in pvc to clean it out.

 

[homer1475]

Ever seen this thread?

Let’s Mix it Up! Designing and Using a Water Mixing Station

Let’s Mix it Up! Designing and Using a Water Mixing Station Let’s Mix it Up! There is one undeniable fact in this hobby – WE ALL NEED WATER! In fact, two types of water. Clean fresh water (FW) run through a quality RODI system and the obvious saltwater (SW). Secondly, we all know what a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[chimbo84]

The plumbing, valves, etc will be somewhat dependent on your setup and space. Here is another example based on the station we just built. Two (2) 65g containers, 10" filter, Blue Line AC pump. In our scenario, gravity feeds the mixing tank on the bottom. The pump is managed by our Apex and mixes 10min every 6hrs to make sure the auto water changes are consistent. The mixing tank pump is interlocked with a switch in the container to turn off the pump if the level gets too low. The bulk water tank on top has a float and safety switch tied to the Apex.

Draw out your system. Make sure you include unions and/or union valves and the ability to isolate the pump if you need to do maintenance while the reservoir is full.

Do you have a link for these tanks? This is exactly what I am looking for. Very nice build!