Sump with built in ato section
- Thread starter intyme
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damonbrodie
New member
I've never heard anybody try this. How would you separate the area?
EvenFurther
New member
I just built my first sump using a 40B. I read about sump designs for months. People have combined an ATO reservoir into the sump using a tall baffle. One downside is that it reduces space or size for other chambers. But, if you have a large sump, there can be plenty of room. I've read about large sumps with water change chambers and/or QT chambers too.
I did a 4.4 gallon on mine, but I also added a overflow weir in case I wanted to use it for something else like a DSB or pod cultivation.
I did a 4.4 gallon on mine, but I also added a overflow weir in case I wanted to use it for something else like a DSB or pod cultivation.
dbl
Member
I did it when I made my sump out of a standard 55 under a 120g DT. I used the last 7-8 inches and installed a baffle basically to the top of the frame. I thought it was terrific at first. However in hindsight, I'm not sure I would do it again. It works perfectly with no issues, but to Simon's point about a waste of space, I'm wishing I had that area in the skimmer section as I'm now limited on the skimmer size.
Here's a quick picture, albeit quite old. The ATO reservoir is the last section on the left.
Here's a quick picture, albeit quite old. The ATO reservoir is the last section on the left.
sleepydoc
Team RC
Ditto what the others have said above. If you do it, make sure to use a glass baffle, since an acrylic baffle will be prone to leaking around the seal.
I've got a 120 display, which is the same length as a 90, and a 40 breeder sump. I have just enough room under the stand to put a 10 gallon tank at the end of the 40b. Works well and doesn't take up any room from the sump.
I've got a 120 display, which is the same length as a 90, and a 40 breeder sump. I have just enough room under the stand to put a 10 gallon tank at the end of the 40b. Works well and doesn't take up any room from the sump.
intyme
New member
Ok, so.... I want to have a 10 gallon tank next to my 40B but I'm short by a few inches. I was looking at this, http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/16537207
It would give me just enough clearance to pull it in and out to fill up.
I kinda want to do a fuge in the sump, but if I put the Ato top off in the sump, I can't do fuge
It would give me just enough clearance to pull it in and out to fill up.
I kinda want to do a fuge in the sump, but if I put the Ato top off in the sump, I can't do fuge
intyme
New member
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868684
What about this sump, I'm only having a skimmer, return pump and small fuge.
What about this sump, I'm only having a skimmer, return pump and small fuge.
JammyBirch
Aquaria Engineering
I wouldn't do it that way as others have mentioned the down side. My biggest fear is how do you re-fill it. If it's a pain in the neck to fill the thing up then skip it.
I have a 5g food grade bucket for my 25g DT + 10g sump, it sits in an outdoor decorative end table made by rubbermaid i think. It looks good and all i have to do is swap out the buckets.
I'm imagining to refill your resevior you'd have to pump from a bucket into the chamber. This would annoy me. i think it's an interesting idea though kinda all in one system with no tubing...
I have a 5g food grade bucket for my 25g DT + 10g sump, it sits in an outdoor decorative end table made by rubbermaid i think. It looks good and all i have to do is swap out the buckets.
I'm imagining to refill your resevior you'd have to pump from a bucket into the chamber. This would annoy me. i think it's an interesting idea though kinda all in one system with no tubing...
intyme
New member
Hmmmm, my only other option is a 5 gallon glass aquarium. I'm limited on space, and for now I don't want to see anything next to the stand. I did build a stand with a door on the side, just in case I need to remove my sump. So I think I'll put a tank next to that door so I can refill it from there
JammyBirch
Aquaria Engineering
Nice...a DIY stand makes this a non issue.
I'm in the process of a DIY stand for a 120g, it will be bigger than the tank with an electrical cabinet and spare space just in case. The goal for me is to hide everything, no tubes or wires and the control parts separate from the wet chambers.
Sounds like you have a path forward. Good luck. Make sure you show us some pics of this system once you're up and running.
I'm in the process of a DIY stand for a 120g, it will be bigger than the tank with an electrical cabinet and spare space just in case. The goal for me is to hide everything, no tubes or wires and the control parts separate from the wet chambers.
Sounds like you have a path forward. Good luck. Make sure you show us some pics of this system once you're up and running.
EvenFurther
New member
My 4.4 gal chamber is probably not going to be an ATO reservoir, but its possible. My first intention was for pod cultivation or small benthic/cryptic zone.
Google around for some dog food FDA material translucent clear containers. I've seen some nice DIY ATO set ups using these. Or, if you want to spend money, there's a few acrylic fab companies offering really nice acrylic ATO containers.
Google around for some dog food FDA material translucent clear containers. I've seen some nice DIY ATO set ups using these. Or, if you want to spend money, there's a few acrylic fab companies offering really nice acrylic ATO containers.
Pny
New member
I have an ATO section in the sump of both my aquariums. My large tank (about 275 US gallons) has its ATO section located partially UNDER the skimmer section to save space. Works great!
Having the divider to the ATO section a bit lower than the rim adds one more safety feature to this arrangement - flow back, the ATO simply can not overflow the tank since the water would flow back into the ATO section.
Having the divider to the ATO section a bit lower than the rim adds one more safety feature to this arrangement - flow back, the ATO simply can not overflow the tank since the water would flow back into the ATO section.
asudavew
Active member
I have a 75 gallon tank at work. Bean overflow setup.
My sump is a 20 gallon long aquarium. I have a 5 gallon section of it devoted to top off water.
I love it. It works great.
I still have room for my skimmer, bubble trap, return pump, and a 2 gallon refugium.
My only concern is when the return pump turns off that the sump will overflow because I have little reserve.
BUT, as long as the top off chamber isn't completely full, the extra water will fill that area.
I have the ATO set up to turn off if the return pump shuts off and to wait 5 minutes before turning back on after the return pump restarts.
The water level in the sump will be off until the ATO corrects it.
The ATO sensor is in the return pump section.
Salinity will be slightly off if the return pump shuts down and the saltwater overflows into the ATO area.
I think I will end up adding check valves for redundancy.
My sump is a 20 gallon long aquarium. I have a 5 gallon section of it devoted to top off water.
I love it. It works great.
I still have room for my skimmer, bubble trap, return pump, and a 2 gallon refugium.
My only concern is when the return pump turns off that the sump will overflow because I have little reserve.
BUT, as long as the top off chamber isn't completely full, the extra water will fill that area.
I have the ATO set up to turn off if the return pump shuts off and to wait 5 minutes before turning back on after the return pump restarts.
The water level in the sump will be off until the ATO corrects it.
The ATO sensor is in the return pump section.
Salinity will be slightly off if the return pump shuts down and the saltwater overflows into the ATO area.
I think I will end up adding check valves for redundancy.
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