Temporary tubing from salt mix to tank

[Husker]

I have a couple brute trash cans that I am using for a mixing station. One is for RODI, the other for mixed up salt. With my 40 breeder, I didn't mind hauling buckets. However, I am upgrading to a 150 gallon tank and would like to pump water directly to my tank for water changes.

My new tank will be about 20 feet from the bathroom and 20-30 feet from my salt mixing garbage cans. The goal is to use a python system to drain water to the sink. For adding fresh saltwater, I would like to put a bulkhead at the bottom of my brute that is hooked up to a pump, and be able to bring a hose over, turn the pump on, and fill the tank up. I'm curious what people would recommend for hose material and connection to the bulkhead? I would like the hose to be very flexible so I can easily run it across the room and then coil it back up by the garbage can when I am done with it.

I would love to hear any suggestions! Thanks.

 

[mcarroll]

I'd suggest taking it one notch higher and installing some permanent RODI tubing and one peristaltic (positive displacement) pump.

Install two (one drain; one fill) if budget isn't a problem. This gives you a totally automated water change system.

A peristaltic pump isn't a bad choice even just for your original filling requirement since the distance isn't really a problem for them.

 

[Husker]

I'd suggest taking it one notch higher and installing some permanent RODI tubing and one peristaltic (positive displacement) pump.

Install two (one drain; one fill) if budget isn't a problem. This gives you a totally automated water change system.

A peristaltic pump isn't a bad choice even just for your original filling requirement since the distance isn't really a problem for them.

Hmm... I think we are misunderstanding each other. I do have my RODI permanently plumbed into my RODI tub and my saltwater tub. What I am wanting to do is rig up a system where I am pumping fresh saltwater across to the other room for water changes. I am starting to get some ideas looking at the mixing station threads.

 

[mcarroll]

Maybe, but that was also a lousy description on my part.

RODI tubing (should say PEX tubing) is a convenience for plumbing and coincidence. Only used for your fill operation.....not related to the function of your RODI system.

The key is the peristaltic/positive displacement pump(s) I mentioned. They are (in essence) pressurized so they can drive the water just about any distance up/down/left/right. Combined with the ease of plumbing on the PEX you can do things you might not have thought about before. Such as automatic water changes.

Try this search to see examples of the auto-water change setup I feebly mentioned:
automatic water change

 

[mcarroll]

I would just get a 50' roll of 3/4" vinyl tubing from your LFS for the temporary gig you mentioned.

What are you looking for in terms of ideas for fittings at the bulkhead?

I can tell you this: If you're doing the bulkhead underneath you'll have to put the Brute(s) on a platform – at least a few inches high. Other than that it depends on your local circumstances and what you need.

Hope this helps! (Let me know if I'm off base!)

 

[dbl]

Not to put words in his mouth, but what @mcarroll is explaining is an automatic water change option, which if your circumstances and resources allow for it, would be an ideal setup.

What I think you're asking for is explained in the article below. I personally use a "marine" garden hose (white in color, not that it necessarily matters), with the metal ends removed and replaced with plastic fittings. It's more flexible than vinyl tubing and thusly a little easier to work with. This is of course only my opinion.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/let’s-mix-it-up-designing-and-using-a-water-mixing-station.77/

 

[Husker]

Yes, I understand. The automatic water change system isn't really in the cards, due to my tank being on the other side of the living room from where my water is stored. I will have the capacity to pump water across the room. I wasn't aware of the mixing station threads on here. I took a look through some quickly, and I think I have a pretty good idea what I am going to do now. The goal is no buckets, at least!

 

[mcarroll]

The automatic water change system isn't really in the cards, due to my tank being on the other side of the living room from where my water is stored.

You might be surprised at some of the setups folks have posted on here. Water sources not even on the same level of the house in some cases. Plmbing running up through the attic in other cases.

The flexible/rigid PEX tubing allows for easy installation using minimal cuts or fittings and the capabilities of the peristaltic pump allows for the crazy distances and heights.

2¢

 

[reefwiser]

Actually you could run water lines under the floor and up into the tank. My tank is in the living room and I ran lines thru a closet and then behind a couch and up into the tank. I use a stenner dual head pump. I change out a gallon a day. Best thing I have done in a while for my tank. Now just have to finish the water changing area.

 

[Husker]

I could maybe do that in the future. I don't really feel like running tubing through the floor. That sounds like a difficult mess if something goes wrong. My stuff always goes wrong at some point... hah.

This is what I ended up doing for now. I just have to run the hose across the room and turn the pump on to add water back for water changes. Much easier than buckets.

 

[reefwiser]

Yes but once ran I never have to have water on my wife's floor again. [emoji3]

 

[mcarroll]

Much nicer than buckets!!!

(That's some heavy duty hose!!!)

I wold rig some support for that plumbing. It's a Good Idea™ anyway since the fittings aren't designed to hold the weight of the plumbing – but unless I'm mistaken you can already see stress lines on the trashcan plastic from the weight.

Maybe extend the platform out under the plumbing so you can just jack it up on a block like the pump is in the picture?

 

[Husker]

Good idea, I was leaning toward adding some support. This actually isn't even glued together in this picture yet, and no water running, so it should be good so far. I will probably add some bracing to hold up the PVC. Much easier than adding more plywood.