Dream Reef Tank Build Series | Ep. 4 | Saltwater Mixing Station

If you’re a reefer you know how important water changes are in the hobby. This video demonstrates how I built my salt water mixing station. I currently live in a 2 bedroom condo without a garage or large backyard so I had to really be creative when planning where and how I built my salt water mixing station. I utilized a storage cabinet just above my washer and dryer unit which made it the perfect place for my situation. I plan on doing daily automatic water changes with my Neptune DOS. Since the location of the mixing station is close to my reef tank and near a drain, it makes the water change process really easy.
Below are some some links to the materials used to build my salt water mixing station:
25 Gallon Containers (They are actually 26 gallon containers but I only plan to fill them up to 25 gallons max)- www.usplastic....
PVC Clear Cement: www.lowes.com/...
PVC Clear Cleaner: www.lowes.com/...
1” Blue PVC Pipe- www.bulkreefsu...
1” True Union Ball Valves: www.ndspro.com...
1” Schedule 80 90 Degree Elbows: www.siteone.co...
1” Schedule 80 Tee Socket: www.siteone.co...
2” Bulkhead with Cap- www.ebay.com/i...
1” Bulkheads: www.marinedepo...
1/4” Bulkhead: spectrapure.co...
3/4” 90 Degree Barb Fittings: www.marinedepo...
3/4” Schedule 80 Barb Fittings: www.bulkreefsu...
1” x 3/4” Schedule 80 Reducer Bushing: www.supplyhous...
Hydro Koralia Seltz D- Varia Flow 2400 Controllable Return Pump: www.marinedepo...
1” Vinyl Tubing: www.bulkreefsu...
3/4” Vinyl Tubing: www.bulkreefsu...
5 Stage Premium 150 Gallon Per Day RO/DI System: www.bulkreefsu...
1/4” RO/DI Blue Tubing: www.bulkreefsu...
1/4” RO/DI Black Tubing: www.bulkreefsu...
1/4” RO/DI White Tubing: www.bulkreefsu...
1/4" OD Quick Connect Push in to Connect Tube Fitting Set of 20- www.amazon.com...
Y Hose Connector: www.amazon.com...
26” x 56” Drain Pan- www.gemaire.co...
XP Aqua RO/DI Flood Guardian: Electronic Auto Shut Off Valve Kit (AKA The Marriage Saver) - www.marinedepo...
Float Valve: www.bulkreefsu...
Govee Wifi Leak Detector: www.amazon.com...
2x4 Wood (For Weight Reinforcement): www.homedepot....
3/4” Plywood: www.homedepot....
You can follow me here:
Instagram: @PetmaluLife
Facebook: @PetmaluLife
Music:
Oceans by Rex Banner (Intro)
Bokeh by Soundroll
Once and For All by Ian Post
Surfin Bali by FASSounds (Outro)
*Artlist Music License
#ReefTank #saltwatermixingstation #howtobuildasaltwatermixingstation #DIY #ReefBuildSeries #TheUltimateSaltwaterMixingStation
Copyright Information:
This video was shot and edited by Petmalu Inc. Petmalu Inc. owns all intellectual property rights to this content.

[@keanuho7330]

I love your water setup, very smart to use the RO machine, and then the deionizer resin. This mixing setup is legit!

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks bro! Awesome work at the gym today!!!

[@keanuho7330]

@@PetmaluLife Thank you brother! Good work from you as well, clearly in many aspects of life! Keep up the great work!

[@Isd0429]

You should consider putting the ball valves before the barb fittings, that way you don't have to completely drain the container if you end up needing to change the soft tubing at some point. But I just found this channel, you put way more effort into the video editing than anyone else out there, good stuff and I dig the set up.

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks for your support! I think I'll be using this hosewarehouse.com/products/lvhb075mtlv-banjo-3-4-hose-barb-x-3-4-mnpt-micro-valve-locking-handle?variant=11789234405412 at the bottom of the container and attach 3/4" tubing with another ball valve at the end.

[@Brian-mp6bg]

great setup and well thought out.

[@BamBamUSMC]

Awesome use of space but it’s gonna be a nightmare after a few water changes to add salt and to clean without disassembling station.

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks! I’ve already removed it and only takes a few minutes. I appreciate your concern though. I had to work with what I had available in a two bedroom condo.

[@stevenhall1385]

I was thinking the same thing, looks like it would be a pain to add salt, but in space constraints you have to work with what you have.

[@reyesreef3714]

Very nice work

[@PetmaluLife]

Thank you!

[@garrycole9187]

Really good setup and definitely need good redundancy when it comes to water. Just found your channel and looking so much to your progress.

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks for your support!

[@thomast.8546]

I like this mixing station. Going to copy it. I need something that isn't going to take up a tone of room too. My so called fish room is under the stairs going to my basement.

[@PetmaluLife]

Awesome man! Let me know if you run into any issues or have any additional questions. Make sure you install a drain pan. You will spill one way or another.

[@thomast.8546]

@@PetmaluLife I have a drain in this room already so if anything the drain pan won't have far to go.

[@PetmaluLife]

Thomas Tarrant that’s perfect!

[@devildawg4947]

Nice 👍🏻

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks brotha! How's the tank going?

[@devildawg4947]

Petmalu Life waiting on my plumbing parts. I got set back had to order extra bulkheads. Slowly but surely tho

[@PetmaluLife]

@@devildawg4947 Rad! I'm doing the same next. I always seem to be needing extra fittings. Can never order too much!

[@nocogarden]

It’s gonna be pretty tough to get salt in there

[@kevinjames1587]

Love your videos and tank. On this video I wish you would have explained the wc process in greater detail, after video was over I still didn’t understand how it works. I heard unsay it’s hooked up through Dos or something…but does it exchange in a 1 to 1 ratio? Do sump pumps need to be off?

[@t9brown]

How do you get the salt into the salt tank?

[@anthonyhernandez7582]

Super sick and clean on all your videos. Did you buy that perfect fitting drain pan somewhere or have it custom made?

[@okman2413]

How you plan to put the salt in to saltwater tank? Don’t you think the height is to low that you can’t open the top cap? Or you already have your on way to do it. Love the pluming work! Nice done!

[@TonyDamazio]

That looks good, but it also looks like it's going to be a pain in the ass to Change out those rodi filters.

[@arroyo1078]

Pretty Sweet! Where did you get the storage tanks from?

[@PetmaluLife]

Hi Hugo! Thank you! I got them from a site called USPlastic.com. Here's a link: www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=35209&trk_msg=E1T0HSE6SUI4D4D2PEJLVJ9NF0&trk_contact=5QFGIHKOG81UB30UT08672EER0&trk_module=sca&trk_sid=FLOAHFQQNP206G5KCG9QI31R78&Product&

[@kiddt1999]

Looks like your flood guardian is backwards. The magnet stays on the outside of the tank and the wired sensor going inside the tank correct???

[@PetmaluLife]

Yes! I didn't realize it was flipped until after I filmed it. Good catch! It works really well though. I highly recommend it.

[@kiddt1999]

@@PetmaluLife i know because i just tested mine as soon as it came in lol. Yes it works great and the sensor is protected inside the plastic body, awesome. You have a heck of a setup.

[@PetmaluLife]

@@kiddt1999 Glad you like it as much as I do and thanks for the kinds words!

[@mameroo2000]

Nice setup. Is it easy to access you rodi system whenever time to change the filters?

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks! Yes, I actually took them off the wall and have them sitting next to the salt water bin so they're easier to grab. I'm going to mount my Neptune DOS where it was mounted in the video.

[@saltwaterreef277]

Where did you get the drip pan?

[@PetmaluLife]

Hi! A company called Miami Tech makes various sizes. Here’s they’re site. You may have to contact a distributor to purchase one. www.miamitech.com/products/metal/dp.html Thanks for watching!

[@teemer1282]

Is there a diagram for this setup?

[@PetmaluLife]

Hi @Teemer! If you DM me on Instagram I can send you a diagram.

[@kevinclasher3160]

Looks nice but the filter canisters are too far back, would of been better to bring that to the front as taking those canisters off maybe a challenge.

[@PetmaluLife]

Thanks. I’ve actually made some updates since I posted this video. The filter canisters now sit next to my water containers and changing filters is pretty easy. I have my Neptune DOS is mounted where the RODI unit was for my automatic water changes.

[@closetocreamy]

Plant room tour ??

[@PetmaluLife]

In a future video for sure!

[@candykanefpv98]

Gravity fed auto top off? I’m waiting for you to have problems with it pulling all the water out of the rodi tank cuz even with the pump off it’ll still siphon. Also did you think about how you’re going to change the media within the rodi system?! That’s gonna be a bitch.

[@PetmaluLife]

When water flows down to my sump from my RODI container, I have a solenoid valve with optical sensor and a float valve as a backup to set the water level. I don’t really foresee any issues given dual redundancy. As for the media for the RODI, it’s really simple to swap out if needed. I actually have the RODI unit sitting next to the salt water container off the wall (I have Neptune DOS on the wall now). So I can easily just change the filters when needed. Thanks for watching!