ATO Reservoir Ideas

[CodyRVA]

They make these in a 5 gallon size too

Just checked they're "14 x 14 x 13 inches," my max is 7-8 height and width.

 

[mckinleyw]

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.

I think they are common plastic. made for holding drinking water.

 

[kevyg]

With your dimensions, get some acrylic weld on, a sheet of decent thickness acrylic and cut it up, weld it together and drill your holes to the exact size you need. There isn't much of anything that will fit into a 7x7x27, if at all. So just fabricate exactly what you want. Put some paint on the outside and be done. You can put in a float switch anywhere to do the LED indicator if you are after that.

 

[CodyRVA]

With your dimensions, get some acrylic weld on, a sheet of decent thickness acrylic and cut it up, weld it together and drill your holes to the exact size you need. There isn't much of anything that will fit into a 7x7x27, if at all. So just fabricate exactly what you want. Put some paint on the outside and be done. You can put in a float switch anywhere to do the LED indicator if you are after that.

I've debated this as well. Haven't ever done any acrylic welding before, but it seems simple enough.

 

[kevyg]

I've debated this as well. Haven't ever done any acrylic welding before, but it seems simple enough.

It is insanely easy, the weld on sets up super quick, so you don't have to hold it as long. If you have clamps, when you glue, clamp the seam together with steady pressure (not like wood and wood glue). Then basically hold it there manually until 2-3 mins have passed (Or whatever the can says) and *Poof!* the acrylic is bonded and very strong.

Rinse and repeat until you have joined all 6 pieces together. The first two seams will be the hardest because you won't have structure. Just remember the steady pressure allowing the plastic to "weld" is the most important step. Get the thicker weld on and it's very very easy.
The thicker stuff could leave globs, just paint it all black and nobody will be the wiser. [emoji106]

 

[CodyRVA]

It is insanely easy, the weld on sets up super quick, so you don't have to hold it as long. If you have clamps, when you glue, clamp the seam together with steady pressure (not like wood and wood glue). Then basically hold it there manually until 2-3 mins have passed (Or whatever the can says) and *Poof!* the acrylic is bonded and very strong.

Rinse and repeat until you have joined all 6 pieces together. The first two seams will be the hardest because you won't have structure. Just remember the steady pressure allowing the plastic to "weld" is the most important step. Get the thicker weld on and it's very very easy.
The thicker stuff could leave globs, just paint it all black and nobody will be the wiser. [emoji106]

Sounds easy enough; I'm not overly concerned with how good it looks since it will be under the tank... who cares honestly. My only concern is doing an adequate job to ensure the dang thing doesn't leak on me.

 

[CoralCache]

7x7 is going to be hard but if you find more room look for extra high tanks. Like a Deep Blue 20xh is 2 10 gallons stacked. Makes for a great top off.

 

[mfinn]

Just checked they're "14 x 14 x 13 inches," my max is 7-8 height and width.

Is a gallon and a half going to be worthwhile?

 

[kevyg]

Sounds easy enough; I'm not overly concerned with how good it looks since it will be under the tank... who cares honestly. My only concern is doing an adequate job to ensure the dang thing doesn't leak on me.

Watch diy fishkeepers acrylic bonding on YouTube. That should rest any hesitancy you may have.

 

[Mark Derail]

How about flexibility?

http://www.survival-spot.com/5-gallon-collapsible-water-jug/

 

[mcarroll]

I'm limited on space with just 7 X 7 X 27 inches of space. I could make a tall cube acrylic container

That DIY would be the ticket, IMO.

 

[mcarroll]

7x7 is going to be hard but if you find more room look for extra high tanks. Like a Deep Blue 20xh is 2 10 gallons stacked. Makes for a great top off.

I like this idea too.....doubt there's a way to get more headroom if you're already limited to 7".

@CodyRVA Can you post a pic of the overall space? There are some even-flatter-than-7-inch "bookshelft containers" that might work, alhough volume will be small.

 

[LJLKRL05]

I use a 10 gallon glass tank from petco

 

[CoralCache]

A rough guestimation I use for an ATO reservoir is 10% of tank volume. Depending on lighting of course and surface motion, this gets me near 2 weeks without having to refill. So if I go on a 2 week cruise I am good until I get back. I only want my tank watcher to feed a few times and check for a failure.

 

[CodyRVA]

Thanks all for the input. I like the DIY Acrylic option, my concern is the cost effectiveness. If i went with 7 X 7 X 20, I would end up with roughly 4.25 gallons. The acrylic, weld and shipping would likely be right at $100.

I'll snag a pic of what i'm working with. If i relocate my dosing jugs I would have plenty of room, but i'd probably have to move them behind the stand; not sure how i feel about setting them on carpet.

The one jug I found on uline would be great, but I'd have to order a dozen minimum which runs $120, in which case i'll just do the acrylic DIY option.

 

[mcarroll]

A rough guestimation I use for an ATO reservoir is 10% of tank volume.

I like to use no more ATO volume than what my sump can fit on a 100% dump. Floods are soooooo un-fun and this makes for zero worries..

 

[CodyRVA]

Found a few more options; going to measure my max space later and see if one of these will do...

1
2
3
4

 

[mcarroll]

"Autoclavable" is a synonym for "you don't need that".

If #1 fits, that's a good option. Container Store is fun too....take a look.

 

[mckinleyw]

Found a few more options; going to measure my max space later and see if one of these will do...

1
2
3
4

All those look good only thing I see on a couple is the bottles are not clear. This makes it harder to see how much is left.

 

[CoralCache]

Exact reason I am having another sump built to match the one I currently have and bulkheading them together. A whole new 5 ft sump is way to expensive. I can get more volume doing it this way and save 60% of the cost.

I like to use no more ATO volume than what my sump can fit on a 100% dump. Floods are soooooo un-fun and this makes for zero worries..