Container Ideas For Storing Aged Water

HI all I'm thinking about a new storage container to age my tap water prior to water changes. I would really appreciate any insight anyone had on the subject before I buy anything. I currently was using two Rubbermaid bins on a wheeled trolley with airstones. I raise the temperature by heating a portion of aged water on the stove.

But I'd like to be able to hold more water, a heater to heat and pump to put aged water into the tank instead. I have a 120 gallon in the entertainment area, but I also have a little fishroom in the furnace room. I was hoping to somehow make the container look nice enough to stay beside the 120 gallon showtank so it wouldn't have to be mobile. I would have a second holding container in the furnace room, I don't need this one too look nice.

Or if anyone has a better suggestion, I'd love to hear it

One reason for the switch was to store more water. But another concern I've always had was toxins or anything leaching into the water from genetic plastic bins like Rubbermaid. I can't find a solid answer on this one. So this time, I'm considering food grade bins, rain barrels or something safe that is strong enough to hold water. If generic heavy duty bins are safe, I'd love to hear about that as well. I'm also not sure if all rain barrels are potable.

Should I look for a darker opague container or white? Anything else I should know?

Some more questions:
Do I want an outer spigot at the bottom to attach a pump to, or is it easier to get a pump that just fits completely inside the container?

What type of pump would I need to move water from the holding bin to my tank?

What if I had two containers in the furnace room and ran a hose to the 120 gallon showtank? The tank is about 25 feet from the holding bin.

 

How about a wooden 35 or 55 gallon rain barrel?

 

Tx I'm not sure a wooden container would hold water well without disintegrating. Maybe with a pond liner...

Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean.

 

55 gallon drums would work.

You could probably find a discarded one in good condition if you’re willing to look.

Most are plastic and food grade(commonly hold food items like corn oil) which means it won’t affect the water and it won’t disintegrate.

 

Rubbermaid Brute trash cans are the preferred choice for saltwater guys. They come in 10 gallon to 44g sizes. I picked up a 32g (most common) to do water changes as I don't like filling my tanks straight from the tap.

I fill the Brute with the kitchen sink sprayer while I drain my tank. It's easier to get the right temp and treat with Prime (or Stress Coat) in the trash can. I have a 550gph pump and 20' of 1/2" tubing to pump the water to my tanks. I can change 30 gallon of water in my 75 gallon in less than 30 mins. I have a FX4 and was using the utility valve but found that the 550gph pump is faster and slightly easier and I already had the pump and hoses.

 

Thank you all

DarkOne Those Rubbermaid trash bins, are they strong enough to hold water? Do you keep the lid on for support (cut a hole?) I'm looking to store 80-100gs because I have so many large tanks. So two of those 55 gallon drums or two 44g trash bins.

75g Discus Tank I saw this huge 330g cube container with a cage for 150$. But that's a bit too big lol. I saw some of those 55 gallon send 30 gallon drums you are talking about.

To anyone, what about rain barrels? Are they ok to use?

 

The Rubbermaid Brute are very strong and hold their shape when filled with water. I fill my 32g to 30 gallon every week with no deflection in the sides. I have a lid but only use it when stored.

BPA free rain barrels should be fine.

Is there a reason you need to age your water?

 

I use a 44 gallon Brute trash can for storing my RODI water for water changes.

 

Quote "Is there a reason you need to age your water?"

Not really. I just like to, feel safer aging the water. I don't feel ok with the idea of running water straight from the python and adding water conditioner to the tank.

I also like my pH to shift in the bin instead of my tank. My water is pretty soft (kh=2, gh=2) I can also keep BBA away without fluctuating co2 levels and avoid the microbubbles from WCs. Everything seems much more stable aging water and I got into the habit.

 

I store 2 gravel vacs and 2 20' hoses in the Brute when not in use. I have a dog that sheds a lot at times so the lid helps keep hair out of my w/c equipment.

The main reason I got the Brute was because I can treat the water (and test if necessary) before pumping in the tank. There's really no reason to age tap water unless you have really, really sensitive fish and/or weird tap water.

Microbubbles isn't really an issue with freshwater.

 

They hold whiskey for years then they reuse them. Many other places sell them too. Would be real dependent on the look of your house however.

 

DarkOne I get that, but I just prefer it. I don't think I'd be able to overcome my BBA issue without off- gassing my WC water, but that's just how I feel. I like to provide the best for my fish possible, idk, I feel the shift in pH when doing large WCs can't be comfortable. I was also trying to breed my fish too for a while and just got in the habit going forward.

I will say I've been cheating lately and using my python to create tiny microbubbles in the holding tanks instead of aging. (Closing the flow valve until you hear a hissing noise) I was hoping the water would off-gas quickly. I haven't tested the results and probably won't, just makes me feel better and I feel my fish appreciate that.

Sorry if I missed it, any issues with having the holding tank 25 feet away from the 120g? Thinking about two containers in the furnace room. I got the pump requirements Thank you

 

I fill my Brute about 20' away from my tanks and use a pump to fill the tanks. If your pump is strong enough, I don't see a problem.

 

Would it help to put my brutes on a 1.5 foot platform? There's already a heavy platform built with 2x4s next to the tanks in the 'fishroom', I'd just have to make sure it was reinforced enough to hold 1000 pounds lol.

 

A platform might be nice if it has a bottom valve so you can drain off any sediment from time to time.

 

A platform might be nice if it has a bottom valve so you can drain off any sediment from time to time.

So with an outside spigot on the bottom? I was thinking of periodically wiping the interior with H202 or a bleach solution to disinfect. I'm trying to decide if adding Prime to the holding container right before I use it is ok, or if it would encourage bacterial growth. My tap uses chloramines.

 

I guess that would depend on if your only topping it odd each time or if your going to use most of it before refilling. If your only topping it off you chlorimines will have little effect since they would be so diluted. Now if your emptying and refilling you would have your chlorimes at full strength. Not sure how much bacterial growth you would get since the idea of putting chlorimes in your water by the water authority is to kill off all the bacteria and other things.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. I could either run enough water that I'm using it all at once after Prime, or pump straight into my tank and dose the tank with Prime. But I've never done that and don't feel comfortable. I know a lot of ppl do with no problems, but I don't get how's to do it.

Dose the volume of the tank or new water? Dose all in one spot and add water there? Dose while refilling slowly?