Top Off Container-Solution

[Pilfering Wizard]

My contribution to the group since I can see that 'Boomer' thinks I can't
contribute anything other than what I have posted in regards to Marc.

Topping off our aquariums is one of the most time consuming chores in this
hobby for me.

My solution to keep from having to fill a 5 gallon bucket every other day
was to build a large container that would fit behind my 125 gallon reef. The
cost was ridiculous until I found a web site that sold just what I was
looking for.

I purchased 2 plastic containers from a company out of Indiana. The one
container is next to the interior wall of my laundry room and is LxWxH
60"x8"x30". (~50 gallons) This container has a float valve and my RODI water
is stored in the container. Sure beats hearing the wife yelling about the
trash cans in her way. I also place another container of LxWxH 60"x5"x30"
~40 gallons behind my 125 gallon reef. I have a power-head in the container
filled with RODI. The powerhead is turned on and off with a life-reef float
switch. As water evaporates, new water is dosed in. I am quite pleased with
this set up as I only have to fill the container about every 16 days
compared to every other day with just a 5 gallon bucket. Estimates of
course, I really don't document it that seriously.

The containers were $48 and $32 each respectively. http://www.amerikart.com
is the web site. The containers are made for the RV motorhome industry. The
plastic is food-grade.


PW

[Marc Levenson]

Hey PW,

That is really cool. Can you link a few pictures of your setup? How do you
transfer the water from the 50 to the 40? Do you run a powerhead with a long
piece of tubing to get it over there?

That was a great idea thinking of RV parts, because they have to be so compact!
I might have to get my hands on a couple of these.

One idea that I've been playing with for months is the 10-20g Igloo ice chest.
Maybe you've seen it before? Sam's was selling it a while back....round, bright
yellow with a red base and red lid on casters. It even had a drain near the
bottom. They cost $82 each, but I thought it would be perfect for water
changes, one to drain into, and one to pump water back up. It would roll which
avoids any lifting, and draining it would be so easy to just open the spigot,
and the lid would keep it clean until it was needed again.... but it seemed like
a lot of money to spend on that kind of luxury.

Marc


Pilfering Wizard wrote:

> My contribution to the group since I can see that 'Boomer' thinks I can't
> contribute anything other than what I have posted in regards to Marc.
>
> Topping off our aquariums is one of the most time consuming chores in this
> hobby for me.
>
> My solution to keep from having to fill a 5 gallon bucket every other day
> was to build a large container that would fit behind my 125 gallon reef. The
> cost was ridiculous until I found a web site that sold just what I was
> looking for.
>
> I purchased 2 plastic containers from a company out of Indiana. The one
> container is next to the interior wall of my laundry room and is LxWxH
> 60"x8"x30". (~50 gallons) This container has a float valve and my RODI water
> is stored in the container. Sure beats hearing the wife yelling about the
> trash cans in her way. I also place another container of LxWxH 60"x5"x30"
> ~40 gallons behind my 125 gallon reef. I have a power-head in the container
> filled with RODI. The powerhead is turned on and off with a life-reef float
> switch. As water evaporates, new water is dosed in. I am quite pleased with
> this set up as I only have to fill the container about every 16 days
> compared to every other day with just a 5 gallon bucket. Estimates of
> course, I really don't document it that seriously.
>
> The containers were $48 and $32 each respectively. http://www.amerikart.com
> is the web site. The containers are made for the RV motorhome industry. The
> plastic is food-grade.
>
> PW

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Pilfering Wizard]

LOL. I wish that I had a little giant submersible pump with about 300 feet
of flex tubing, but I haven't quite managed that one yet. I want to have a
plumber come out and run a water line and drain pipe next to the tanks, but
that probably won't happen since I just completed a theater in the room
below the aquariums. Tearing into the walls is not an option. Routing the
pipes around the outside of the house would look tacky so, that is not an
option either.

Currently. We all carry 5 gallon buckets up to the container. I drop a pump
with flex tubing into a bucket at a time and pump the water into the
container. This isn't bad considering it is once every 16 days or so.

I have a little giant pump on order. I will let you know how that works out.
Do you think a little giant submersible pump could handle 2 flights of
stairs with 300 feet of hose? Or too much head pressure?

PW

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
Hey PW,

That is really cool. Can you link a few pictures of your setup? How do you
transfer the water from the 50 to the 40? Do you run a powerhead with a
long
piece of tubing to get it over there?

That was a great idea thinking of RV parts, because they have to be so
compact!
I might have to get my hands on a couple of these.

One idea that I've been playing with for months is the 10-20g Igloo ice
chest.
Maybe you've seen it before? Sam's was selling it a while back....round,
bright
yellow with a red base and red lid on casters. It even had a drain near the
bottom. They cost $82 each, but I thought it would be perfect for water
changes, one to drain into, and one to pump water back up. It would roll
which
avoids any lifting, and draining it would be so easy to just open the
spigot,
and the lid would keep it clean until it was needed again.... but it seemed
like
a lot of money to spend on that kind of luxury.

Marc


Pilfering Wizard wrote:

> My contribution to the group since I can see that 'Boomer' thinks I can't
> contribute anything other than what I have posted in regards to Marc.
>
> Topping off our aquariums is one of the most time consuming chores in this
> hobby for me.
>
> My solution to keep from having to fill a 5 gallon bucket every other day
> was to build a large container that would fit behind my 125 gallon reef.
The
> cost was ridiculous until I found a web site that sold just what I was
> looking for.
>
> I purchased 2 plastic containers from a company out of Indiana. The one
> container is next to the interior wall of my laundry room and is LxWxH
> 60"x8"x30". (~50 gallons) This container has a float valve and my RODI
water
> is stored in the container. Sure beats hearing the wife yelling about the
> trash cans in her way. I also place another container of LxWxH 60"x5"x30"
> ~40 gallons behind my 125 gallon reef. I have a power-head in the
container
> filled with RODI. The powerhead is turned on and off with a life-reef
float
> switch. As water evaporates, new water is dosed in. I am quite pleased
with
> this set up as I only have to fill the container about every 16 days
> compared to every other day with just a 5 gallon bucket. Estimates of
> course, I really don't document it that seriously.
>
> The containers were $48 and $32 each respectively.
http://www.amerikart.com
> is the web site. The containers are made for the RV motorhome industry.
The
> plastic is food-grade.
>
> PW

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marc Levenson]

I've got no idea. However, a booster pump made for RO/DI units might work
perfectly, and you could hook that up to your container of water and use the
same 1/4" tubing to send it upstairs to your resevoir. I'd hook up a float
switch at the top to stop it when the container was full though.... so you
aren't flying down the stairs to stop the flooding. <grin>

Btw, your bigger tank holds roughly 60gal. L x W x H / 231 = total gallons

Marc

Pilfering Wizard wrote:

> LOL. I wish that I had a little giant submersible pump with about 300 feet
> of flex tubing, but I haven't quite managed that one yet. I want to have a
> plumber come out and run a water line and drain pipe next to the tanks, but
> that probably won't happen since I just completed a theater in the room
> below the aquariums. Tearing into the walls is not an option. Routing the
> pipes around the outside of the house would look tacky so, that is not an
> option either.
>
> Currently. We all carry 5 gallon buckets up to the container. I drop a pump
> with flex tubing into a bucket at a time and pump the water into the
> container. This isn't bad considering it is once every 16 days or so.
>
> I have a little giant pump on order. I will let you know how that works out.
> Do you think a little giant submersible pump could handle 2 flights of
> stairs with 300 feet of hose? Or too much head pressure?
>
> PW
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> Hey PW,
>
> That is really cool. Can you link a few pictures of your setup? How do you
> transfer the water from the 50 to the 40? Do you run a powerhead with a
> long
> piece of tubing to get it over there?
>
> That was a great idea thinking of RV parts, because they have to be so
> compact!
> I might have to get my hands on a couple of these.
>
> One idea that I've been playing with for months is the 10-20g Igloo ice
> chest.
> Maybe you've seen it before? Sam's was selling it a while back....round,
> bright
> yellow with a red base and red lid on casters. It even had a drain near the
> bottom. They cost $82 each, but I thought it would be perfect for water
> changes, one to drain into, and one to pump water back up. It would roll
> which
> avoids any lifting, and draining it would be so easy to just open the
> spigot,
> and the lid would keep it clean until it was needed again.... but it seemed
> like
> a lot of money to spend on that kind of luxury.
>
> Marc
>
> Pilfering Wizard wrote:
>
> > My contribution to the group since I can see that 'Boomer' thinks I can't
> > contribute anything other than what I have posted in regards to Marc.
> >
> > Topping off our aquariums is one of the most time consuming chores in this
> > hobby for me.
> >
> > My solution to keep from having to fill a 5 gallon bucket every other day
> > was to build a large container that would fit behind my 125 gallon reef.
> The
> > cost was ridiculous until I found a web site that sold just what I was
> > looking for.
> >
> > I purchased 2 plastic containers from a company out of Indiana. The one
> > container is next to the interior wall of my laundry room and is LxWxH
> > 60"x8"x30". (~50 gallons) This container has a float valve and my RODI
> water
> > is stored in the container. Sure beats hearing the wife yelling about the
> > trash cans in her way. I also place another container of LxWxH 60"x5"x30"
> > ~40 gallons behind my 125 gallon reef. I have a power-head in the
> container
> > filled with RODI. The powerhead is turned on and off with a life-reef
> float
> > switch. As water evaporates, new water is dosed in. I am quite pleased
> with
> > this set up as I only have to fill the container about every 16 days
> > compared to every other day with just a 5 gallon bucket. Estimates of
> > course, I really don't document it that seriously.
> >
> > The containers were $48 and $32 each respectively.
> http://www.amerikart.com
> > is the web site. The containers are made for the RV motorhome industry.
> The
> > plastic is food-grade.
> >
> > PW
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marc Levenson]

I checked on those booster pumps today, and they aren't exactly cheap. You
could run a LONG piece of tubing from your RO unit all the way upstairs, and at
70psi, it wouldn't be long before all 40g were made, if you have a good unit.
Tubing is very cheap, and would work. You would just need to set a timer to be
sure to remind you to turn that bad boy off when you were done! :)

Marc


Pilfering Wizard wrote:

> If you say so, my dimensions weren't accurate in the post.
>
> When I purchased the containers, one was 42 gallons and one was 50 gallons
> so, I must have typed the wrong dimensions.
>
> I know all about the online volume calculators. :)
>
> I will probably tie a pump into my wireless x-10 stuff and simply turn the
> pump off and on remotely when the container needs to be filled. I guess I
> could run a wire all the way down the tubing and have it tied to a float
> valve, but I think manually filling the container would be better. Who
> knows. I am open to feedback.
>
> PW
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> I've got no idea. However, a booster pump made for RO/DI units might work
> perfectly, and you could hook that up to your container of water and use the
> same 1/4" tubing to send it upstairs to your resevoir. I'd hook up a float
> switch at the top to stop it when the container was full though.... so you
> aren't flying down the stairs to stop the flooding. <grin>
>
> Btw, your bigger tank holds roughly 60gal. L x W x H / 231 = total gallons
>
> Marc
>
> Pilfering Wizard wrote:
>
> > LOL. I wish that I had a little giant submersible pump with about 300 feet
> > of flex tubing, but I haven't quite managed that one yet. I want to have a
> > plumber come out and run a water line and drain pipe next to the tanks,
> but
> > that probably won't happen since I just completed a theater in the room
> > below the aquariums. Tearing into the walls is not an option. Routing the
> > pipes around the outside of the house would look tacky so, that is not an
> > option either.
> >
> > Currently. We all carry 5 gallon buckets up to the container. I drop a
> pump
> > with flex tubing into a bucket at a time and pump the water into the
> > container. This isn't bad considering it is once every 16 days or so.
> >
> > I have a little giant pump on order. I will let you know how that works
> out.
> > Do you think a little giant submersible pump could handle 2 flights of
> > stairs with 300 feet of hose? Or too much head pressure?
> >
> > PW
> >
> > "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > Hey PW,
> >
> > That is really cool. Can you link a few pictures of your setup? How do
> you
> > transfer the water from the 50 to the 40? Do you run a powerhead with a
> > long
> > piece of tubing to get it over there?
> >
> > That was a great idea thinking of RV parts, because they have to be so
> > compact!
> > I might have to get my hands on a couple of these.
> >
> > One idea that I've been playing with for months is the 10-20g Igloo ice
> > chest.
> > Maybe you've seen it before? Sam's was selling it a while back....round,
> > bright
> > yellow with a red base and red lid on casters. It even had a drain near
> the
> > bottom. They cost $82 each, but I thought it would be perfect for water
> > changes, one to drain into, and one to pump water back up. It would roll
> > which
> > avoids any lifting, and draining it would be so easy to just open the
> > spigot,
> > and the lid would keep it clean until it was needed again.... but it
> seemed
> > like
> > a lot of money to spend on that kind of luxury.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> > Pilfering Wizard wrote:
> >
> > > My contribution to the group since I can see that 'Boomer' thinks I
> can't
> > > contribute anything other than what I have posted in regards to Marc.
> > >
> > > Topping off our aquariums is one of the most time consuming chores in
> this
> > > hobby for me.
> > >
> > > My solution to keep from having to fill a 5 gallon bucket every other
> day
> > > was to build a large container that would fit behind my 125 gallon reef.
> > The
> > > cost was ridiculous until I found a web site that sold just what I was
> > > looking for.
> > >
> > > I purchased 2 plastic containers from a company out of Indiana. The one
> > > container is next to the interior wall of my laundry room and is LxWxH
> > > 60"x8"x30". (~50 gallons) This container has a float valve and my RODI
> > water
> > > is stored in the container. Sure beats hearing the wife yelling about
> the
> > > trash cans in her way. I also place another container of LxWxH
> 60"x5"x30"
> > > ~40 gallons behind my 125 gallon reef. I have a power-head in the
> > container
> > > filled with RODI. The powerhead is turned on and off with a life-reef
> > float
> > > switch. As water evaporates, new water is dosed in. I am quite pleased
> > with
> > > this set up as I only have to fill the container about every 16 days
> > > compared to every other day with just a 5 gallon bucket. Estimates of
> > > course, I really don't document it that seriously.
> > >
> > > The containers were $48 and $32 each respectively.
> > http://www.amerikart.com
> > > is the web site. The containers are made for the RV motorhome industry.
> > The
> > > plastic is food-grade.
> > >
> > > PW
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Pilfering Wizard]

I can run it along the ventilation duct work on the lower level and drill a
small hole through the floor so that way it would be a line going out and up
6.5 feet to the ceiling, then 20 feet across the room and then up 5 feet and
into the container.

What pump were you referring to? Got a link?

I will take some pictures this weekend and post them.

PW
"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
I checked on those booster pumps today, and they aren't exactly cheap. You
could run a LONG piece of tubing from your RO unit all the way upstairs, and
at
70psi, it wouldn't be long before all 40g were made, if you have a good
unit.
Tubing is very cheap, and would work. You would just need to set a timer to
be
sure to remind you to turn that bad boy off when you were done! :)

Marc


Pilfering Wizard wrote:

> If you say so, my dimensions weren't accurate in the post.
>
> When I purchased the containers, one was 42 gallons and one was 50 gallons
> so, I must have typed the wrong dimensions.
>
> I know all about the online volume calculators. :)
>
> I will probably tie a pump into my wireless x-10 stuff and simply turn the
> pump off and on remotely when the container needs to be filled. I guess I
> could run a wire all the way down the tubing and have it tied to a float
> valve, but I think manually filling the container would be better. Who
> knows. I am open to feedback.
>
> PW
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> I've got no idea. However, a booster pump made for RO/DI units might work
> perfectly, and you could hook that up to your container of water and use
the
> same 1/4" tubing to send it upstairs to your resevoir. I'd hook up a
float
> switch at the top to stop it when the container was full though.... so you
> aren't flying down the stairs to stop the flooding. <grin>
>
> Btw, your bigger tank holds roughly 60gal. L x W x H / 231 = total
gallons
>
> Marc
>
> Pilfering Wizard wrote:
>
> > LOL. I wish that I had a little giant submersible pump with about 300
feet
> > of flex tubing, but I haven't quite managed that one yet. I want to have
a
> > plumber come out and run a water line and drain pipe next to the tanks,
> but
> > that probably won't happen since I just completed a theater in the room
> > below the aquariums. Tearing into the walls is not an option. Routing
the
> > pipes around the outside of the house would look tacky so, that is not
an
> > option either.
> >
> > Currently. We all carry 5 gallon buckets up to the container. I drop a
> pump
> > with flex tubing into a bucket at a time and pump the water into the
> > container. This isn't bad considering it is once every 16 days or so.
> >
> > I have a little giant pump on order. I will let you know how that works
> out.
> > Do you think a little giant submersible pump could handle 2 flights of
> > stairs with 300 feet of hose? Or too much head pressure?
> >
> > PW
> >
> > "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > Hey PW,
> >
> > That is really cool. Can you link a few pictures of your setup? How do
> you
> > transfer the water from the 50 to the 40? Do you run a powerhead with a
> > long
> > piece of tubing to get it over there?
> >
> > That was a great idea thinking of RV parts, because they have to be so
> > compact!
> > I might have to get my hands on a couple of these.
> >
> > One idea that I've been playing with for months is the 10-20g Igloo ice
> > chest.
> > Maybe you've seen it before? Sam's was selling it a while
back....round,
> > bright
> > yellow with a red base and red lid on casters. It even had a drain near
> the
> > bottom. They cost $82 each, but I thought it would be perfect for water
> > changes, one to drain into, and one to pump water back up. It would
roll
> > which
> > avoids any lifting, and draining it would be so easy to just open the
> > spigot,
> > and the lid would keep it clean until it was needed again.... but it
> seemed
> > like
> > a lot of money to spend on that kind of luxury.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> > Pilfering Wizard wrote:
> >
> > > My contribution to the group since I can see that 'Boomer' thinks I
> can't
> > > contribute anything other than what I have posted in regards to Marc.
> > >
> > > Topping off our aquariums is one of the most time consuming chores in
> this
> > > hobby for me.
> > >
> > > My solution to keep from having to fill a 5 gallon bucket every other
> day
> > > was to build a large container that would fit behind my 125 gallon
reef.
> > The
> > > cost was ridiculous until I found a web site that sold just what I was
> > > looking for.
> > >
> > > I purchased 2 plastic containers from a company out of Indiana. The
one
> > > container is next to the interior wall of my laundry room and is LxWxH
> > > 60"x8"x30". (~50 gallons) This container has a float valve and my RODI
> > water
> > > is stored in the container. Sure beats hearing the wife yelling about
> the
> > > trash cans in her way. I also place another container of LxWxH
> 60"x5"x30"
> > > ~40 gallons behind my 125 gallon reef. I have a power-head in the
> > container
> > > filled with RODI. The powerhead is turned on and off with a life-reef
> > float
> > > switch. As water evaporates, new water is dosed in. I am quite pleased
> > with
> > > this set up as I only have to fill the container about every 16 days
> > > compared to every other day with just a 5 gallon bucket. Estimates of
> > > course, I really don't document it that seriously.
> > >
> > > The containers were $48 and $32 each respectively.
> > http://www.amerikart.com
> > > is the web site. The containers are made for the RV motorhome
industry.
> > The
> > > plastic is food-grade.
> > >
> > > PW
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com