Saltwater storage containers

dbl · Nov 19, 2015

Take a look at this thread as you do your planning. A lot of good ideas. Mine is post #65 if you care to look.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/salt-water-mixing-stations-lets-see-them.36873/

I ended up getting my containers here. More choices than you need, but shipping is usually the enemy!

Broadfield · Nov 19, 2015

Also, if you have a Farm & Fleet in your area, they have some really nice vertical tanks... 65 gallon. Because as dbl stated, shipping is going to be one of those bend over moments.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/064724-norwesco-65-gallon-vertical-storage-tank.html

Here's my setup with said tanks:

IMG_4019 by Toby Broadfield, on Flickr

jsker · Nov 19, 2015

http://www.usplastic.com/ Bought a tank for my ATO with float valve, and going to be ordering again. They have tanks for all kinds of applications. Check them out

Helenareefer · Nov 20, 2015

Finally got mine set up. Same 35g tanks from Tractor Supply. They had them in stock...no problems.

mrpergo · Nov 20, 2015

Helenareefer how are you mixing your salt ? I don't see the pump, maybe I'm missing it.

Helenareefer · Nov 20, 2015

No you're not. It's not in the pic. The top tank is RO/DI, then drains into top of bottom tank for mixing. The power head is not in the picture.

mrpergo · Nov 20, 2015

Helenareefer said:
No you're not. It's not in the pic. The top tank is RO/DI, then drains into top of bottom tank for mixing. The power head is not in the picture.

so your not mixing using a circulation pump, just a power-head in the mixing tank ?

mrpergo · Nov 20, 2015

I just built my new mixing station and getting ready to plumb this weekend

Helenareefer · Nov 20, 2015

mrpergo said:
so your not mixing using a circulation pump, just a power-head in the mixing tank ?

Right. The Mix tank drains directly to the sump via gravity. I have a drain on the sump to remove water, then fill back up direcly from the mix tank.

redfishbluefish · Nov 20, 2015

mrpergo said:
I just built my new mixing station and getting ready to plumb this weekend

That is nice.....actually very nice! I wish I had the space to do something like that.

I do have one suggestion with this build. The screws/nails are supporting the weight of the water/containers. The very easy fix is to add additional 2x4's to the existing frame. Here is a picture of a tank stand that shows what I mean....you need to add purple boards:

143MPCo · Nov 20, 2015

One thing that should be noted about any container that you consider for a mixing station is the need to be able to remove and clean it.
If you make the connections to it "fixed" without unions you won't be able to do that, yearly maintenance on the "saltwater" container is recommended.

Gabriel Garcia · Nov 20, 2015

143MPCo said:
One thing that should be noted about any container that you consider for a mixing station is the need to be able to remove and clean it.
If you make the connections to it "fixed" without unions you won't be able to do that, yearly maintenance on the "saltwater" container is recommended.

+1 I have unions on both mine and it comes in handy.

mrpergo · Nov 20, 2015

redfishbluefish said:
That is nice.....actually very nice! I wish I had the space to do something like that.

I do have one suggestion with this build. The screws/nails are supporting the weight of the water/containers. The very easy fix is to add additional 2x4's to the existing frame. Here is a picture of a tank stand that shows what I mean....you need to add purple boards:

I'll be putting the jack studs in when I get down stairs in the basement to its home.
Don't want to make any heavier than it is.........lol
but that is on the list

SorshaKay · Nov 20, 2015

That all looks so nice! I wouldn't even know where to start or how with all that PVC pipe. I would die if I had something that convenient. How did you all learn how to do all this? I'm overwhelmed at this point, this forum is more advanced than I was thinking it was going to be! ha ha

SorshaKay · Nov 20, 2015

143MPCo said:
One thing that should be noted about any container that you consider for a mixing station is the need to be able to remove and clean it.
If you make the connections to it "fixed" without unions you won't be able to do that, yearly maintenance on the "saltwater" container is recommended.

Could you clarify yearly maintenance for me? I mean, do you just wipe it out with a clean rag or do you use some type of solution?

143MPCo · Nov 20, 2015

SorshaKay said:
Could you clarify yearly maintenance for me? I mean, do you just wipe it out with a clean rag or do you use some type of solution?

I bring them outside (summer time, if you're in the northeast you'll understand why), fill with tap water and some hydrochloric acid (Lowes and/or Home Depot sells it cheap enough), also vinegar will also work, slower but will work, powerhead for about 30min, drain and rinse. I also rinse them both with RO/DI water and while not really needed, paper-towel dry them off. The sediment on the saltwater one will be clearly visible once you drain it.

Edited to add:
The sediment on the fresh water (RO/DI) is more like a clear almost bacterial grow, run your finger across it after it been sitting for a year and you'll see what I mean.

SorshaKay · Nov 20, 2015

dbl said:
Take a look at this thread as you do your planning. A lot of good ideas. Mine is post #65 if you care to look.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/salt-water-mixing-stations-lets-see-them.36873/

I ended up getting my containers here. More choices than you need, but shipping is usually the enemy!

I'm checking it out now, thank you for the info!

Broadfield said:
Also, if you have a Farm & Fleet in your area, they have some really nice vertical tanks... 65 gallon. Because as dbl stated, shipping is going to be one of those bend over moments.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/064724-norwesco-65-gallon-vertical-storage-tank.html

Oh my gosh you aren't kidding! I would get three of them, I really love the vertical instead of horizontal but I am in NC and the shipping would be $300.00!!

I do need larger storage tanks because even though I only have a 75G right now, when our house is built we will be getting a 500G and I really want to set up everything right to start off with.

mcarroll · Nov 20, 2015

If you don't break down your RO vat about once a year and give it a wipe down, you tend to end up with bacterial growth, or worse.

That smell you mentioned at the beginning of the thread - not the container, just the lack of clean! [emoji1] The water and the environment both are imperfectly clean so in the long run this cannot be helped. It's a perfect fungus and bacteria growing environment.

Brute cans are fine. Give yours a vinegar wipe down - including plenty of elbow grease - and replace or scrub/sanitize any tubing/equipment that's actually moldy or slimy, indicating fungus or bacterial growth.

Bleach should be completely optional, but if you decide to use it just let the can air out outside if possible for a good while before returning it to service.

dbl · Nov 20, 2015

SorshaKay said:
That all looks so nice! I wouldn't even know where to start or how with all that PVC pipe. I would die if I had something that convenient. How did you all learn how to do all this? I'm overwhelmed at this point, this forum is more advanced than I was thinking it was going to be! ha ha

Trust me SorshaKay, I'm not advanced at all!!! Best way to learn is through research. Just take your time and read over the links like the one I sent earlier. There are a lot of great examples showing how to build a mixing station. It really isn't that difficult. You should be able to get the basic ideas of the plumbing by looking at the pictures. Let YouTube be your friend as well. Just search saltwater mixing station. I'll get you started. The one below is actually a friend of mine and he did this one about 6 months ago. Just remember to ask questions as you go along. We're here to help.