Water Storage

punkieg0 · Mar 10, 2020

Hi everyone!
Talk to me about your water storage options. I should also mention that I need budget and easy to do

I am not great with some of these "projects" I am looking to be more efficient in how I do my water changes so I can get them done more frequently.

Right now I make my water in the basement (only place I have a faucet it attaches to) and I put my RODI into either 5 gallon containers or 2 gallon containers. The 2 gallon are usually for my manual top offs for each tank.

Then I haul the water upstairs where the tanks are and dump the water into a large tub so I can make my saltwater and heat it up for water changes.
I am looking to see:
Do you make a bunch of RODI and store in a tub/container?
Do you make and store saltwater?
Do you keep it heated?
I have an unfinished basement so it is cool but I can at least store water down there.

I am just sick of the multiple buckets/bins that I have. And I technically only have 14 gallons made at a time which wouldn't be enough in an emergency with a 45 and 20 gallon.

sfin52 · Mar 10, 2020

I use a brute trash bin. Any one can make a brute trash bin into a water container. Takes about $60. And a 3*3 ft space

BHHOWARD · Mar 10, 2020

Lots of great options here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/let’s-mix-it-up-designing-and-using-a-water-mixing-station.270585/

Doctorgori · Mar 10, 2020

punkieg0 said:
Do you make a bunch of RODI and store in a tub/container?
Do you make and store saltwater?
Do you keep it heated?

Yes I make up about 60 gal of water and store it In the dark for emergencies...experience has taught me to just spend the 30 bucks on a Rubbermaid trash can....cheap cans split and leak

Yes I also store about 10 gals of pre-mixed SW for fish transfers and emergencies...I always adjust to 1.025; makes acclimation easier always using the same value of salinity always and everywhere

I’ve NEVER heated my aquarium water (well I JUST stated using my heater afer years!) I’ve kept fish for over 50yrs and whatever temp my house is Or I’m comfortable at: is also what my aquarium water temp is.....trust me; they can adapt to low 70’s as I’ve never lost a fish in any temp over 65F .... I have observed easier mixing at warmer temps tho...

Doctorgori · Mar 10, 2020

sfin52 said:
I use a brute trash bin. Any one can make a brute trash bin into a water container. Takes about $60. And a 3*3 ft space

See...told ya ....the extra bucks for a STRONG can is worth it

punkieg0 · Mar 10, 2020

Doctorgori said:
Yes I make up about 60 gal of water and store it In the dark for emergencies...experience has taught me to just spend the 30 bucks on a Rubbermaid trash can....cheap cans split and leak

Yes I also store about 10 gals of pre-mixed SW for fish transfers and emergencies...I always adjust to 1.025; makes acclimation easier always using the same value of salinity always and everywhere

I’ve NEVER heated my aquarium water (well I JUST stated using my heater afer years!) I’ve kept fish for over 50yrs and whatever temp my house is Or I’m comfortable at: is also what my aquarium water temp is.....trust me; they can adapt to low 70’s as I’ve never lost a fish in any temp over 65F .... I have observed easier mixing at warmer temps tho...

Wow very interesting- I just made water now in my basement and it’s 56 degrees... don’t think my fish would be happy with that!

vessxpress1 · Mar 10, 2020

Just made this stand about a month ago. This is a 26 gallon polyethylene tank I got off Amazon for 150 shipped. I drilled a hole in the back and stuck a $5 float valve in it with a shark tooth fitting for 1/4" line. The top cap is huge so you can get your arm in pretty easily. Came with the bulk head in the front. Just had to get some half inch pvc and thread adapters from Home Depot. The ball valve I had from my old storage tub. It holds about 28 gal. The stand is the basic aquarium stand design with some minwax brushed on.
When I was in the hobby a while back I just had a regular storage tote in a 2x4 frame to keep it from flexing but that was just too chincy. It worked but this is the way to do it. I could've gotten any sized tank I want and can get another if I feel the need. This seemed to be the best size compromise for what I'm doing right now. Used a marker to darken the gallon markings on the front. And yes that is a JBJ stand holding up my receiver. Another plan that didn't go through from a while back.

X-37B · Mar 10, 2020

I use 2 55 gallon drums in the garage.
They were $30 a piece.
That way I can make enough water to last a month or so.
120 DT and 45 frag system evaporates 1 gallon a day each.

Silent · Mar 10, 2020

You can find 55 gallon drums on CL for 10-20 dollars

mike550 · Mar 10, 2020

@punkieg0 I hear what you’re saying. I use a RODI that fills a 32G Brute. Usually I make about 25G and then mix it into saltwater using a small pump. Once I have the right salinity (I use Tropic Marin) I let it continue to mix for 30-60 min. I then attach a tube to the pump and transfer it to 5G containers and haul them upstairs. That’s it. If I need less saltwater I just store some as fresh RODI for top off then make saltwater.

Lately I’ve tossed in a heater while making the RODI to get the water closer to the tank temp. I don’t try to match temperature, I just want it within a few degrees.

punkieg0 · Mar 10, 2020

vessxpress1 said:
Just made this stand about a month ago. This is a 26 gallon polyethylene tank I got off Amazon for 150 shipped. I drilled a hole in the back and stuck a $5 float valve in it with a shark tooth fitting for 1/4" line. The top cap is huge so you can get your arm in pretty easily. Came with the bulk head in the front. Just had to get some half inch pvc and thread adapters from Home Depot. The ball valve I had from my old storage tub. It holds about 28 gal. The stand is the basic aquarium stand design with some minwax brushed on.
When I was in the hobby a while back I just had a regular storage tote in a 2x4 frame to keep it from flexing but that was just too chincy. It worked but this is the way to do it. I could've gotten any sized tank I want and can get another if I feel the need. This seemed to be the best size compromise for what I'm doing right now. Used a marker to darken the gallon markings on the front. And yes that is a JBJ stand holding up my receiver. Another plan that didn't go through from a while back.

Very nice!