ATO Reservoir Ideas

[CodyRVA]

Finally debating kicking the home depot bucket (my current ATO reservoir), but I have no interest in paying for a prefabbed fancy acrylic box. Anyone care to chime in on any safe DIY or manufactured container options out there while keeping space restrictions in mind?

 

[Idoc]

I went with the 5g food grade bucket and glad I did... very convenient. You could always use a 10g aquarium as the ato resevoir.

 

[mcarroll]

I like my bucket too. WHat's teh reason for wanting to change?

 

[kevyg]

5 1/2 gallon tank from petco is a conveniently sized option. If you feel like it you can get a piece of plexiglass, cut it to the size of the top of the tank. Drill some holes for the tubes, then paint the whole outside black (Or your preferred color).

Just fyi, I am a fan of rustoleum Professional black. The nozzle gives a nice spray pattern. It also will paint most everything.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I have an old tank with a diy bulkhead and tubing attatched to a float valve in my sump

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

i use a rubbermaid 10gallon trash can. they come in white

 

[CodyRVA]

Thanks all! So, basically the home depot bucket in the living room isn't the most appealing thing to look at. If I can get a small container under my stand, understanding i'm sacrificing total volume, I would like to see what's out there. If I can't find or make something i'll leave the bucket. I'm limited on space with just 7 X 7 X 27 inches of space. I could make a tall cube acrylic container, but would love to find something I can drop in there.

It's an 80G system so I really don't need the full 5 gallons I get now with the HD bucket, I'd be willing to go down to 2.5-3 G.

I do use two brute trash can's for water storage, but seeing as I rent and I keep them in the garage; I have no way of getting the water from the garage into the living room, thus the need for the home depot bucket.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I needed at least ten gallons for an ATO Reservoir that wasn't higher than my sump (so that it wouldn't self-siphon), so here's what I can up with.....the water cooler concept reservoir....using a five gallon bucket from my pool, and a water jug. Simply cut a circle out of the top of the lid. The siphon point is the level of water in the bucket, not in the jug, and the bucket level was below my sump level. The water jugs also make changes very simple.

I did have to re-enforce the top of the lid of the bucket, so a donut was made from 1/2 acrylic.

A simple paneled cabinet was made to cover the reservoir.

This actually was a three sided cabinet on four casters that is easily pulled in and out.

And finally, to know when it needs a new jug of water, a horizontal float switch was installed in the side of the bucket.

This float switch simply lit an LED that was in the face of my equipment cabinet.

 

[CodyRVA]

@redfishbluefish That's pretty slick! I tossed around the idea of making a structure to house a large ATO reservoir, but I'd like to try and get one under my stand first. If that's a no go, then i'll probably have to venture down the road you did.

A smaller 5G version of this would be perfect.

 

[bigroost]

Check out your local homebrew shop. I Found one of these and sliced the stopper that goes in the top routed my cords through the hole. I know its a little big for your application, but they have multiple sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Home-Brew-Oh...TF8&qid=1516720766&sr=8-1&keywords=fermonster

 

[CodyRVA]

What about this. HDPE | High Density Polyethylene is reef safe isn't it?

 

[redfishbluefish]

What about this. HDPE | High Density Polyethylene is reef safe isn't it?

Yes.

 

[mckinleyw]

here is a good idea I think.

At Walmart. or something similar

 

[needbiggertanks]

I needed at least ten gallons for an ATO Reservoir that wasn't higher than my sump (so that it wouldn't self-siphon), so here's what I can up with.....the water cooler concept reservoir....using a five gallon bucket from my pool, and a water jug. Simply cut a circle out of the top of the lid. The siphon point is the level of water in the bucket, not in the jug, and the bucket level was below my sump level. The water jugs also make changes very simple.

I did have to re-enforce the top of the lid of the bucket, so a donut was made from 1/2 acrylic.

A simple paneled cabinet was made to cover the reservoir.

This actually was a three sided cabinet on four casters that is easily pulled in and out.

And finally, to know when it needs a new jug of water, a horizontal float switch was installed in the side of the bucket.

This float switch simply lit an LED that was in the face of my equipment cabinet.

Now this is a nice option. Well done

 

[MaiReef]

Dog food container that is BPA free

 

[needbiggertanks]

here is a good idea I think.

At Walmart. or something similar

This is what i use on my 40 gallon

Its supposed to be temporary buuuuut... im lazy?

 

[mfinn]

There are many different sized dog/cat food containers at Petsmart/Petco that will work.
I've been using this one for about 3 years on my 50 . It holds about 14 gallons.

 

[CodyRVA]

There are many different sized dog/cat food containers at Petsmart/Petco that will work.
I've been using this one for about 3 years on my 50 . It holds about 14 gallons.

Nice! Was looking at these as well; size killing me again unless I could find a smaller one.

 

[CodyRVA]

here is a good idea I think.

At Walmart. or something similar

Any idea what these are made of? I'd probably use reef safe silicone on the lid and feed my ATO through the dispenser part.

 

[mfinn]

Nice! Was looking at these as well; size killing me again unless I could find a smaller one.

They make these in a 5 gallon size too