Ideal ATO containers

[Reefahholic]

Plastic jugs, glass tanks, brute container, etc...

What should I use....help me decide.

I want to put it to the right of my sump or behind the stand. Tank is 90/G.

Please post pictures if possible.

 

[LifeAquatic]

Ato

Ato

The best ATO containers are found at Hydroponic Supply stores. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, gallons, and are made to hold water.

 

[ati70cutlass]

i built my ato into my sump. works wonders and i never have to worry about spiling

 

[ebojo]

I was looking into this as well. Trying to find something local that will do the job well. Will tag along.

 

[SawdustInTank]

I use a five gallon fish tank for mine. Inexpensive, clear, and easily cleaned.

 

[Manta034]

I use a 17 gallon Rubbermaid container. $8 at Home Depot

 

[aquaman67]

I use a dog food container from PetSmart.

It's airtight.

It's made to hold (dog) food.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3088200

I have a two switch autotopoff.com system but I only keep a gallon or two in the container in case it malfuntions.

I use mixed Kalk water so I don't want 5 gallons at once...

 

[aleonn]

I got the biggest glass tank that I could fit under the stand next to the sump. A tall glass rectangular or hexagonal tank would work well with your setup.

 

[peppie]

I made one of mine out of HD 1/4" acrylic. Made to fit the room I had left beside the sump.

 

[pico-reefer]

im just going to use a rubbermaid container, though off topic, those baffles in your sump look awfully high, have you checked to see if it overflows when the power goes out?

 

[Crkbaby]

55 gallon trash can does the trick lol

 

[jiperalta]

Another vote for the PetSmart container. Five gallons lasts about five days in summer and roughly a week in the winter. Slim size fits behind tank with about 8" clearance.

 

[Bilk]

I wouldn't use just any plastic container as RO/DI water is very aggressive on some plastics and will cause the material to leach among other things, phosphates. You need a polypropylene container or a #2 food grade container.

 

[Reefahholic]

The best ATO containers are found at Hydroponic Supply stores. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, gallons, and are made to hold water.

Man I'm glad you didn't say usplastics, I couldn't find one that I liked there.

Thanks for the info my friend.

 

[Reefahholic]

im just going to use a rubbermaid container, though off topic, those baffles in your sump look awfully high, have you checked to see if it overflows when the power goes out?

Just pulled one baffel today. It was 11" and most skimmers run best in about 8-10" of water. Going to have it cut to 8.50"

the other tall baffel I wish was shorter too, but it works.

I'll do next one different, that's for sure.

 

[Reefahholic]

I wouldn't use just any plastic container as RO/DI water is very aggressive on some plastics and will cause the material to leach among other things, phosphates. You need a polypropylene container or a #2 food grade container.

Yeah, ur right...I've heard the same.

 

[droth335]

Mine is an old 20 gallon tank my son had....and it fit in my stand.

 

[Korrine]

I used an old RC bucket. I drilled a tiny hole in the top just big enough for my tubing to get through. My next 2 tanks will use a 10g tank as the reservoir. I do have a dual switch from ato. Had it running for a year on a different tank and hasn't failed me yet. Bought the setup for RKL ato for my smaller tank.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

I decided to be fancy...

I'm having an acrylic holding tank made up as we speak. It should be done next Friday.

It's basically 12x12x16 (LxWxH) so it can match my sump and sit perfectly next to it. It holds 10 gallons of water and will have a removeable lid and drilled access points for the cables and hoses of the ATO to rest in.

 

[Mike31154]

Looks like you have room behind the tank for an elevated container. This would allow you to set up a simple gravity fed system with mechanical float valve in your sump. I don't have a sump so need to pressurize a 7 gal glass wine carboy with an air pump on a timer. These car boys are readily available and not that costly, although for gravity feed you'd need to find a way to drill it. The car boys do have a flat section at the bottom that appears to be made for drilling. A 10 or 20 gal aquarium would work as well & might be easier to drill, although I've heard 10 gals are tricky due to thin glass. The other thing about setting this up behind your tank would be access, but looks like you have a bit of room.

Here are photos of pressurized car boy & mechanical float valve mounted to rim of display. As mentioned with gravity feed, you would mount the valve on/in your sump.