Top Off Container

[Stuart60611]

I just started a 125. Unfortunately, I did not leave quite enough room on the side of my system for a 30 gallon brute to hold top off water for auto top off and do not want to drain my tank to try to make room. Plus, since the tank is in my living room, I am not a big fan of having a brute can in my living room. I was wondering if anyone knows of a good looking container about 20-30 gallons that is more tall than wide to hold top off water. If possible, I would prefer something black or grey, but obviously needs to be food grade so no leaching occurs which would probably rule out black. I would not necessarily be opposed to a big water bottle as long as I can get a pump inside the bottle. Also, something on wheels would be preferable.

Any suggestions?

 

[will16]

I've been looking for an odd size top off reservoir as well. Someone pointed me to this site. Maybe it will help you too...


http://www.tank-depot.com/

 

[Stuart60611]

Thanks will16 for the reply. Unfortunately, the diameter of the containers on the site you posted are too large.

 

[ScottL4619]

How wide can it be? There are lots of shapes and sizes of garbage and laundry containers at Walmart/Meijer/etc.

One like this holds ~13 gallons and is what I use:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8282899

 

[Fizz71]

No chance of putting it in another room? Basement? Attic?

I've never had my top-off in the same location as my tank. Let's see....1st system kept top-off in converted garage, next home was in the basement, current home will be using both..basement for sump, garage for top-off.

 

[greggnyce]

You may also want to try US plastics.com

 

[Stuart60611]

Thanks everyone for the replies. It really cannot be in another room because I do not want a long tube run in my house. Good suggestions so far.

 

[Fizz71]

If you're that limited, do you know anybody in your area that works with acrylic? I know of some people I could ask near me if I need to find somebody to make me a special shape...although I'd expect to pay a good deal more for that than a tub. They wouldn't be able to help you (unless you're in eastern PA) but you might find somebody in your area.

...and you can buy black acrylic at usplastics.com.

PS. I had a tube running from my RO in the garage up into the attic, across the kitchen, and back down into the living room. Nobody ever noticed.

 

[Stuart60611]

Well, I just wanted to leave an update as to what I ultimately chose as a top off container. I decided on this. Yes, I know a pretty expensive option, but it fits my very small space restriction but still holds a decent amount of water at 23 gallons. Plus, it is very strong and looks good in a living room and matches my color scheme. And yes, It may not be totally food grade but from what I have read no worse in terms of leaching than a standard rubbermaid brute (this is also made by rubbermaid).

 

[crazywesc]

The link says "The product you are trying to view is not currently available." Can you find another pic? I will be looking for something simular.

 

[Stuart60611]

Try this .

 

[IslandCrow]

I'm not very smart on this, but I know you do have to be careful with plastic containers. Not all of them are safe for aquarium use. Anything food grade is fine, but I'm guessing a trash can isn't going to be food grade. Hopefully, someone more knowledgeable can give you some better advice there.

That said, have you thought about just getting a cabinet of some sort to place beside the tank. I just got a fairly cheap one from Walmart (or possibly Target), and it holds my top-off water, dosing chemicals, testing equipment and all sorts of other things I want nearby but out of sight.

 

[Stuart60611]

I am not the fearful about leaching with this container because people have been using rubbermaid brutes for years without an issue and this is also made by the same manufacturer. I may just be extra safe and put a liner in it to avoid any issue.

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

rubbermaid makes all diff. types of containers from food grade to haz. waste mat. grade. the thing with the grey brute's is that they are food grade. the yellow and red ones are not. and so fourth. so name don't mean safe. but I think you should be ok but don't rule it out if some problems do come up.

BTW this is not ment to scare you.

 

[Fizz71]

You also need to watch bowing. The round ones handle the pressure well, but square I would be concerned with. When I used shorter rectangular one I had to support it with a frame.