holding tank for water changes

[four_by_ken]

Because of the well water and water softner I have… I would like to set up a holding tank for water changes. 

That way I can fill it up with water prior to the water softner.  I will have to use next no salt and just a little bit of buffer.

I have a few things I need to figure out though…

1)   This is minor… guessing I can just use a pond pump or something similar to pump the water into the tanks after I drain them.  As this holding tank will be in the basement, I will have to pump upstairs.
2)   I am thinking 200 gallons is what I will need.  So, I am considering a stock tank.  Should be big enough and not tooooo expensive.
3)   Ideally I would like to fill it up the day before I do the water changes to avoid having it sitting around and having to heat it for long than over night. 
4)   What would be the best way to heat the water?  A couple 300 watt heaters and plug them in the day before?  My basement gets pretty cold in the winter as I heat the main floor with a pellet stove and dont worry about the basement much.  I would have the stock tank on cinder blocks to keep it off the floor.


So, any comments are appreciated and welcome.

[Ron]

Does you're water softener use potassium? That's the only case I can think of where getting the water pre-softener would be advantageous (as potassium, ex: K-Life, is poisonous to fish).

I have well water and use water post-softener without issue, hence I'm confused why it matters for you? 

[four_by_ken]

Does you're water softener use potassium? That's the only case I can think of where getting the water pre-softener would be advantageous (as potassium, ex: K-Life, is poisonous to fish).

I have well water and use water post-softener without issue, hence I'm confused why it matters for you? 

Post water is sooooo soft.  I have to add a lot of salt to get the hardness back up. 

I dont remember what the levels are... but when doing the drop test kit method... you should be like 16+ drops I think, up to about 22 drops I think.  Mine after the softner is at like 2 drops.  Its ridiculous low.

[RichE]

which ever way you go, why dont you hook up a canister filter(really dont need the filter aspect) but it would keep the water moving and install a inline heater and this way you always have water ready to go

[Regalblue]

55Gallon drums can be found at reasonable prices on Craigslist.  Would a few of them be better for you cost-wise?

[four_by_ken]

which ever way you go, why dont you hook up a canister filter(really dont need the filter aspect) but it would keep the water moving and install a inline heater and this way you always have water ready to go

Well, I do water changes once a week.  Tuesday is water change day.  I really dont want to heat water all week for just one day.

[four_by_ken]

55Gallon drums can be found at reasonable prices on Craigslist.  Would a few of them be better for you cost-wise?

Good idea.  I just have to make sure I now what its use was before.

[Marty]

There is someone in Westland that sells food safe barrels on Craigslist, that's what you should type in the search box and his ad should come up.

[Regalblue]

There is someone in Westland that sells food safe barrels on Craigslist, that's what you should type in the search box and his ad should come up.

There's 2 people who I can think of that sell food grade drums. One is Rick Marshall,  he goes by Carmine on GLA & the other is some guy named Dennis,  who I have his phone number.