ATO reservoir

[starionesir]

I am slowly automating my reef tank and have the ATO for the sump level automated but am looking to automate the ro/di fill for the reservoir. I'm pretty sure I've figured out how to set that up with the latching relay and two float switches but my question is I would like to add a drain just incase something was to go wrong and the tank kept filling.

Can I just add a diy overflow for the 10 gallon tank? I know how to build one and have used overflows in the past but you have to prime them to start up and wasn't sure how they would work as if everything works as it should the pipe should never have water in it. Any ideas will be appreciated.

I recently redid my basement with all new hardwood and have had one overflow when I forgot to turn off my ro/di and the wife was really mad. Trying to eliminate that from happening again.

 

[thegrun]

Can you just drill a hole near the top of the tank?

 

[reepher315]

I used a DIY overflow for a while it never lost siphon totally. But it did slow over time. Id say drilling is the better route.

 

[starionesir]

I'd be scared to drill the 10 gallon aquarium. I've read they are not very easy to drill. I drilled my acrylic aquarium but that was different then drill glass. But I would agree if it was drilled that would be very easy to setup. Just looking for another way without trying to drill the tank and risk cracking it.

 

[JMorris271]

Whats worse. A cracked 10 gal tank or a mad wife? :wavehand:

 

[thegrun]

An overflow box would work, but you would need to maintain the water level in the siphon section.

 

[thegrun]

It might be safer to simply refill the reservoir once or twice a week

 

[Sk8r]

Never connect a glass box in your house to the city water supply, imho. Set up a schedule and simply refill the reservoir. If you have to travel, temporarily set up a Rubbermaid Brute trash can as a reservoir.

You might get a water alarm for the hardwood floor. A loud one.

 

[Zeal0t]

Whats worse. A cracked 10 gal tank or a mad wife? :wavehand:

This man is correct.

 

[Aquarist007]

Here is a simple overflow system. I have to manually pump water up to it. Then the tank is feed by gravity. The most that would ever go wrong is 5 gals could be introduced to the sump

 

[starionesir]

I think I'm gonna just leave it like I have it and manually refill once a week and hook up the leak detector to my apex and have the solenoid hooked to the apex to shut it off in the off chance I forget to turn it off. Usually happens when I'm home so if I forgot the apex will go off and also hopefully shut of the water supply as well. But I'm not going to leave the ro/di turned on. Just not worth the risk. Thanks for everyone's opinions and options.