RO/DI Storage water....

These last couple days I have been getting some RO/DI water together and its a pain in 5 gallon buckets. So, Im in search for the easist way to store 20-30 gallons of salt water mix. I thought about a 20 gallon on a stand but im not sure if getting the water out would be a pain? Is there a company that makes salt water storage containers? Any help would be greatly appreciated...Jeff

 

How much money would you like to spend is a good question. You can use a Brute trash can or here are some good selections:
Barrels / Drums Category | Plastic Barrels, Plastic Drums and Plastic Drum. | U.S. Plastic Corp.

 

I'm using a 32g Rubbermaid Brute trash can right now, I've seen it used so often in other people's systems long-term I can't imagine that it would be a problem. I have read that it may leach some chemicals that certain organisms are sensitive to, or at least some eggs and larva are sensitive to so I wouldn't use it for a breeding setup if it were me.

Here's some info on finding a good plastic container, find one that's food safe if possible.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/reef-safe-plastics-leaching-myths-facts-57828.html

 

I was thinking like $100 for everything? They do have some nice containers, thanks for the link. Jeff

I saw that somewhere also. Thanks for the link, I will browse through it... Jeff

 

How do you guys get you storage water out of the storage tank? Would I be better with bulk head and valve attached at bottom or a pump? Should I transfer water into buckets then walk it over to the tank or just pump it straight into the tank? Reserve tank will only be 20 feet away from main tank.

 

I'm using a rubbermaid container too from wal-mart for my ATO water. cheap good stuff there.

 

Reading through the link from screwtape it looks like I need a #5 rubber maid container? Do you pump you water out or did you use a valve?

 

I use a 23 gallon Rubbermaid recycling can which sits up on a 24" high stand so I can fill buckets or water jugs via a valve installed close to the bottom. The picture shows a small 1/4 turn valve but I later switched to a 3/4" ball valve as the small one kept dripping when the storage can was full. The shape is very compact so the can fits almost anywhere, its like 11" wide and 23" front to back.
The only problem with the rectangular shape is it wants to bow out at the top. I was able to fix this by making a 1" square tubing collar that slips up under the top edge so it holds its shape now.
The float switches are connected to my RO/DI system and a solenoid valve so when the level drops about 11 gallons the unit comes on and refills the container, no TDS creep that way like you get with a float valve which starts and stops frequently with just a small drop in level.

 

As for getting water out, right now I just have a maxi-jet with some 3/8" ID tubing connected that I use to pump it out with. I also just picked up some cool footswitches from Target that you can plug the maxi-jet into and use your foot to turn it on/off which is nice and handy so I can fill up a pitcher etc i'm holding or just dispense a little RO for cleaning something etc.

 

Very nice setup, thanks for the info...Jeff

Foot switch sounds like a pretty handy idea, thanks for the info... Jeff