ATO reservoirs

[Ab129]

Purchasing an ATO and reservoir and I was surprised to see that the reservoirs are so expensive. The ice cap ATO system I'm looking at is on sale for $112 at MD and the reservoir is $144?
Is there a good DIY alternative or does it pay to shell out the cash?

 

[Xandernfs]

You could always see if your LFS has connections. Mine did and had one custom built to my liking.

 

[PatW]

You can use any food safe container. I just use a cheap glass aquarium.

 

[SAT]

I use a Rubbermaid Brute trash can.

 

[DreadCapn]

It depends on your space and what's important to you.

Do you need to pay a premium to have a sexy acrylic ATO res that matches all your other sleek equipment?

If you don't feel that way, instead go with a 10g tank, a 3/5g bucket, or any of the numerous food-safe big plastic water totes (kind of like a gas can, but food safe, bigger, and narrower).

Me, I am bougie AF, and just went with a 5g white bucket out of sight, because hey, there are limits

 

[nereefpat]

It blows my mind that anyone would pay 144 dollars for a reservoir. If I could ski on it, then maybe.

I use a 6 gallon bucket for kalk/ATO.

 

[SaltyMember]

Funny this post just started. After being in the reef hobby for 15 years and previously doing everything DIY and on a budget, I just splurged and spent $70 something dollars on a trigger systems 5 gallon ATO. It was $90 something on sale at marine depot but I had $20 in credit there. I actually feel guilty spending the money for a water reservoir. But it is very pretty. Definitely was an impulse buy for me.


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[Dmorty217]

I use a Rubbermaid Brute trash can.

+1. for water changes I use a 250g container that I purchased for $30 that held honey before I purchased it. There was a lot of planning involved since it wouldn't fit through a doorway and had to be lowered into my house while it was being built.

 

[Shamous113]

I use a Rubbermaid Brute trash can.

+1 for the brute trash can, in the dead of winter I use 5+ gal/day

 

[EzReefs]

I use a 10 gallon glass aquarium.

 

[rocsec1]

I use a 10gallon fish tank I got at the 1$ a gallon sale

 

[MAMGM]

I use a 30 gal. tank. One end is the float valve for my RO, and the other end is the pump for my ATO to the display tank......works for me

 

[LuizW13]

I use a food safe 5g bucket from home depot.

 

[sde1500]

If it holds water, and is food safe it can be an ATO reservoir. Hobby is expensive enough without needing the vanity of pretty fresh water holders.

 

[top shelf]

Purchasing an ATO and reservoir and I was surprised to see that the reservoirs are so expensive. The ice cap ATO system I'm looking at is on sale for $112 at MD and the reservoir is $144?
Is there a good DIY alternative or does it pay to shell out the cash?

I use a food storage container, was cheap and fit perfectly where I needed it to. https://www.walmart.com/ip/16-Cup-Dry-Food-Container-By-Rubbermaid-Ship-from-US/107130308

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[Shaummy]

I use a dog food storage container for my ATO...they have varying sizes and shapes and food safe...

 

[mako61]

I spend money on a nice acrylic ATO. very happy with the purchase. I wanted something I could leave next to the tank and not look bad. It matters what you want.

 

[Shaummy]

I spend money on a nice acrylic ATO. very happy with the purchase. I wanted something I could leave next to the tank and not look bad. It matters what you want.

Good point here..are you going to see it while it's in operation? Mine is inside my stand so aesthetics weren't important to me.

 

[mako61]

Good point here..are you going to see it while it's in operation? Mine is inside my stand so aesthetics weren't important to me.

exactly -- I use inexpensive plastic containers for alk/cal inside my stand. I just wanted the room in the stand so i paid extra to go outside and look good nice.

 

[Ab129]

It certainly looks simple enough to buy a food storage container and slightly modify it. Thanks for all the replies, will check out the container store tomorrow.