ATO Question

[FSU3NOLES28]

I'm planning my upgrade and had a question regarding ATOs. I was thinking of putting a 5-8 gallon container under my tank and next to my sump and topping that off with ro when needed.

Does anyone do this or does everyone who has an ato run it from their basement or something?

 

[smccart22]

I have my ato in a 28 gallon tote with cover next to my stand and the water runs from the tote to the sump/fuge, only issue I think would be whether your water is distilled or not as water can become stagnant(I keep my ro/di water in a larger brute container on the other side of the room so I just top off the tote as needed with the ro/di)

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

I have my ato in a 28 gallon tote with cover next to my stand and the water runs from the tote to the sump/fuge, only issue I think would be whether your water is distilled or not as water can become stagnant(I keep my ro/di water in a larger brute container on the other side of the room so I just top off the tote as needed with the ro/di)

Right now I have a brute that my RO runs into. I was wondering so I could have a cleaner look to my display if I could have an acrylic 5-8 gallon container under my stand that I could dump clean ro into. That way the ato could take water from there and everything would be under my tank except for my brute which would be in the basement.

 

[pascal32]

if you can run a 1/4" flexible rodi tube to the tank from the basement you could use a 50ml/min dosing pump to topoff from the basement. another thought is to put a regular RO/DI float on the acrylic container connected right to the RODI system and a maxijet to top off - this way you have a pump that requires less maintinance and costs less running the ATO. perk is that you don't need to refill the contain - con is that it is a little harder on the DI for the RODI from the TDS creep on starting up the RODI.

recommend for ATO that you use a controller that adds based on a timer (I.e. 15 seconds) when triggered and is forced off for some time like 9:45. this system (1) prevents repeated topoffs back to back with waves or water changes (2) reduces wear on RODI. also suggest a high float that forces the topoff off as a safety.

 

[SkiFletch]

Basically everything Blurry said, ESPECIALLY about high float valve. It's the only failsafe I really feel comfortable using for over-fill which can be more deadly than under-fill

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Unfortunately running the line from the basement isn't an option at my new place.

I apologize because I'm still pretty new to this but can't I just fill a container under my stand with fresh ro/dionce a week and run ato from that container to my sump?

Can definitely work on getting a controller for it too...

Man so much to learn.

 

[cardiffgiant]

I used to do what you're describing. I did it for about 3 years until I was able to set up a basement sump. Though, with the limited space under a 55, I had to fill the container every couple of days.

I ended up building a bench seat to go next to the tank that hid both 10 gallons of ATO and my 2 part. It ended up getting a lot of use from people that would sit on it and check out the tank.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

can't I just fill a container under my stand with fresh ro/dionce a week and run ato from that container to my sump?

You definitely can. The only "drawback" is that you need to manually fill that container on a regular basis. This approach does have the benefit that it's pretty much impossible for a stuck ATO system to kill your tank, since the most it can ever do is dump that 5 gallons of RO/DI.

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

I used to do what you're describing. I did it for about 3 years until I was able to set up a basement sump. Though, with the limited space under a 55, I had to fill the container every couple of days.

I ended up building a bench seat to go next to the tank that hid both 10 gallons of ATO and my 2 part. It ended up getting a lot of use from people that would sit on it and check out the tank.

I actually love this idea.

I was trying to find something to sit on in front of my tank... might be best off doing something like this.

Fantastic idea!

 

[cardiffgiant]

Thanks! I used the 2x4 stand building template as my starting point, so the thing is rock solid. My biggest mistake was keeping it open at the bottom. The last thing you want is for kalk or 2 part to be splashing onto a carpet or hardwood floor. If I were to use it for this purpose again I would put a bottom in and seal it really well.

 

[IronMan72]

Very creative idea Ben.

 

[windyridge]

I had thought of the bench idea too but it would be in front of a low window so it wouldn't have looked right. I managed to fit a 4 gal tub in my 92g corner and yes I have to manually fill it about once a week. If I could find a container that is long instead of high, that fits 5 gallons then my husband could build the bench. He loves my honeydos!

 

[cardiffgiant]

have you checked the us plastics website? they have some uniquely shaped vessels.

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Will look at all of these ideas.

Thanks everyone!

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

5 gallon pales (like old salt buckets) work.
Also, CF carries "slimmer" line 5 gal. buckets that fit easier under stands.

I run my RO/DI into a very Large container with a cuirculating pump running always.
I keep that seperate from the rest of my set up.

I wouldn't run RO directly to a set up/top off.

For top off- I mix up Kalkwasser- to ro/di water in one of those seperate 5 gallon containers. Let the auto topoff pump out of that. (Yes it's only 5 gallons) But I have more than one. So when it runs out, I have another already mixed up and just replace.
Quite easy really. You just mix in enough kalkwasser for 5 gallons. After shaking and mixing thoroughly, let the rest settle to the bottom (you'll never get it all to dissolve)
You keep the pump in the 5 gal. jug a few inches from the bottom- so it doesn't pull any kalk residue.

It's the easiest way to get used to using Kalk in top off water and basically "dosing" with limewater(Kalk) while simultaneously topping off evaporation.

Simplest way if it's all under your cabinet.

Later, even if you have a basement sump set up- it can still be done the same way. You can just have a bigger container for Kalk/Top Off in the basement. The RO/DI I'd still keep seperate.

Don't know if this makes any sense.. but it really works well. Either in the simplest of set ups or even more involved in basement set ups with many containers and pumps/returns.

Either way, having a seperate RO container and a seperate container for Auto Top Off (that is kalkwasser mixed) is a good method. It really works well.