Making water changes easy for 36G

tc2007 · 06/08/2014, 01:41 PM

Hi
I am setting up a 36G reef tank. Before it was a freshwater and I would simply siphon out the water into my lawn and put 5G water one bucket at a time. I cannot do this anymore due to the salt water. So I am thinking of buying a 10G+ bucket on wheels and maybe put a submersible pump to drain the water out. I am planning to buy pre-made RO/DI & premixed saltwater.

What is a good long term solution in case I go for a larger tank (120G) in future I would like to keep most of the setup as is.

Can someone suggest a good bucket with wheels and a reliable submersible pump (<$100)

Xavibear · 06/08/2014, 03:17 PM

Any small circulation pump should be able to do the job. Why buy rodi & mixed saltwater especially if you plan to upgrade. A lot more cost effective to buy a rodi filter.

NavyBlueSea · 06/08/2014, 03:28 PM

Definitely consider buying an rodi system. This will also allow you to choose what salt you will use for your tank. For the pump check local forums usually people have a few used pumps around that could work in your case.

tc2007 · 06/08/2014, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavibear

Any small circulation pump should be able to do the job. Why buy rodi & mixed saltwater especially if you plan to upgrade. A lot more cost effective to buy a rodi filter.

If I had to do RO/DI it will be in the basement. I don't have much space in the kitchen etc. But I am considering it.

SloppyJ · 06/08/2014, 03:53 PM

I have mine hooked to my water heater in the garage.

nickg · 06/08/2014, 03:54 PM

Nothing to you.

nickg · 06/08/2014, 03:54 PM

Sorry nothing to it.

Xavibear · 06/08/2014, 04:15 PM

You don't need a lot of space. I have a BRS 75gpd unit. I have a 36g tank & use about 10 gallons a week between water changes & top off. Once a week I hook it up to the kitchen sink & fill 2 5 gallons buckets. Then I put it away. I live in an apartment, I wish that I had a basement.

tc2007 · 06/08/2014, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavibear

You don't need a lot of space. I have a BRS 75gpd unit. I have a 36g tank & use about 10 gallons a week between water changes & top off. Once a week I hook it up to the kitchen sink & fill 2 5 gallons buckets. Then I put it away. I live in an apartment, I wish that I had a basement.

OK. I always thought that RO/DI was a permanent attachment. I will check out the options regarding the same. Thanks all.

samba_dad · 06/08/2014, 05:45 PM

TC,

I have something similar that I am trying to get implemented to help with the water changes. I am trying to automate WC and ATO on 3 tanks: DT & Fish QT & Coral Invert QT.

The concept is to have the RO/DI fill the 32G container with fresh RO/DI water. Once a week, I will pump the water from the RO/DI to the salt water container and mix the salt. Once a day, water is pumped from each of the 32G containers to smaller 5G containers. A Tunze Osmolator will be responsible for keeping the DT at proper water levels. I will monitor the salinity with the Apex and alarm - text and email - if it gets too low/high. On a daily basis, I will turn off the ATO systems and do a water change of 1 Gal for the DT, and 1.5 Gal each for the QT. The water change will consist of pumping out 1.5 Gal based upon a timed setting. I will be drilling anti-siphon holes in each of the hoses from the DT sump and QTs just below the daily water change levels. Next, I will pump in the saltwater from the 5G containers until the float switch triggers with an automatic timeout from the Apex controller - in case things are not working correctly. Finally, I will turn off all of the water change pumps and re-enable the ATO functionality with the Apex for the QTs and Tunze Osmolator for the DT.

moondoggy4 · 06/08/2014, 10:15 PM

Brute sells a trash can carrier with wells. Another option would be a mop bucket they have nice wheels on them very stable. Cobalt 1200 pump.

06/08/2014, 01:41 PM	#1
tc2007 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 867	Making water changes easy for 36G Hi I am setting up a 36G reef tank. Before it was a freshwater and I would simply siphon out the water into my lawn and put 5G water one bucket at a time. I cannot do this anymore due to the salt water. So I am thinking of buying a 10G+ bucket on wheels and maybe put a submersible pump to drain the water out. I am planning to buy pre-made RO/DI & premixed saltwater. What is a good long term solution in case I go for a larger tank (120G) in future I would like to keep most of the setup as is. Can someone suggest a good bucket with wheels and a reliable submersible pump (<$100)

06/08/2014, 03:17 PM	#2
Xavibear Crazy Prophet Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 1,008	Any small circulation pump should be able to do the job. Why buy rodi & mixed saltwater especially if you plan to upgrade. A lot more cost effective to buy a rodi filter. __________________ 36g bowfront Current Tank Info: Pair of Occellaris clowns, Royal gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby/Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Blue tuxedo urchin, Fire shrimp, Trochus snails, Cerith snails, Nassarius snails, Ricordea mushroom, Kenya tree, Acan brain & Frogspawn

06/08/2014, 04:15 PM	#8
Xavibear Crazy Prophet Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 1,008	You don't need a lot of space. I have a BRS 75gpd unit. I have a 36g tank & use about 10 gallons a week between water changes & top off. Once a week I hook it up to the kitchen sink & fill 2 5 gallons buckets. Then I put it away. I live in an apartment, I wish that I had a basement. __________________ 36g bowfront Current Tank Info: Pair of Occellaris clowns, Royal gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby/Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Blue tuxedo urchin, Fire shrimp, Trochus snails, Cerith snails, Nassarius snails, Ricordea mushroom, Kenya tree, Acan brain & Frogspawn

06/08/2014, 03:28 PM	#3
NavyBlueSea Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 74	Definitely consider buying an rodi system. This will also allow you to choose what salt you will use for your tank. For the pump check local forums usually people have a few used pumps around that could work in your case.

06/08/2014, 03:53 PM	#5
SloppyJ Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Centerton, Arkansas Posts: 322	I have mine hooked to my water heater in the garage.

06/08/2014, 03:54 PM	#6
nickg Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Stockbridge Georgia Posts: 49	Nothing to you.

06/08/2014, 05:45 PM	#10
samba_dad Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: North Alabama Posts: 30	TC, I have something similar that I am trying to get implemented to help with the water changes. I am trying to automate WC and ATO on 3 tanks: DT & Fish QT & Coral Invert QT. The concept is to have the RO/DI fill the 32G container with fresh RO/DI water. Once a week, I will pump the water from the RO/DI to the salt water container and mix the salt. Once a day, water is pumped from each of the 32G containers to smaller 5G containers. A Tunze Osmolator will be responsible for keeping the DT at proper water levels. I will monitor the salinity with the Apex and alarm - text and email - if it gets too low/high. On a daily basis, I will turn off the ATO systems and do a water change of 1 Gal for the DT, and 1.5 Gal each for the QT. The water change will consist of pumping out 1.5 Gal based upon a timed setting. I will be drilling anti-siphon holes in each of the hoses from the DT sump and QTs just below the daily water change levels. Next, I will pump in the saltwater from the 5G containers until the float switch triggers with an automatic timeout from the Apex controller - in case things are not working correctly. Finally, I will turn off all of the water change pumps and re-enable the ATO functionality with the Apex for the QTs and Tunze Osmolator for the DT.

06/08/2014, 10:15 PM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Brute sells a trash can carrier with wells. Another option would be a mop bucket they have nice wheels on them very stable. Cobalt 1200 pump.