Are bulkheads required on an ATO bucket?

[OldRed1]

For my 25 gallon nano tank, I will have a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket to hold RODI water to feed my auto top off system. I’m using the Smart Nano ATO system, which uses a 1/4” tube to feed the pump. Do I need to bother with a bulkhead for the tube running into the bucket, or can I just punch a small hole just large enough for the tube to fit through?

Maybe a silly question, but I want to risk exposing the RODI water to any contaminants. Thanks!

 

[Wasabiroot]

A drilled or punched hole should be fine.

 

[ReefStable Verified Sponsor]

You can just drill a hole through the lid. Honestly, I just set the lid on the bucket when I use it for top off

 

[OldRed1]

A drilled or punched hole should be fine.

Thank you!

 

[OldRed1]

You can just drill a hole through the lid. Honestly, I just set the lid on the bucket when I use it for top off

Great, thanks!

 

[jrill]

I prefer to seal my ATO containers as much as possible. RODI water is like a sponge and will obsorb minerals from the air. Your drill a small hole in the top should work fine.