To prepare 30,000 gallons of a 25% NaOH solution, the calculations depend on whether the percentage is based on weight (w/w) or volume (w/v). A 25% w/w solution requires approximately 83,500 pounds of NaOH, while a 25% w/v solution would need about 62,625 pounds. It's crucial to use the density of the NaOH solution rather than just that of water, as the density affects the mass calculations. Additionally, creating the solution from solid NaOH is not advisable due to its hygroscopic nature and exothermic reaction when mixed with water. Instead, it's recommended to use a 50% aqueous NaOH solution and dilute it properly to achieve the desired concentration.