I'm gathering pieces for my first saltwater tank and am learning the importance of an ato. I do not think I'll have room in my stand for a reservoir so I'm trying to figure out some creative solution besides having a container sitting on the floor of my living room beside my stand. I found an old glass bottle that could be kind of interesting to incorporate, but will a 1 gallon reservoir be horribly undersized for a (roughly) 36 gallon bow front tank?
Ato reservoir size?
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ihavecrabs
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I have seen a few people build cubes with a padded top as a place to sit and enjoy the tank but used it to hide their ATO container inside. Might be good if you want it hidden.
I use two 26 gallon brute trash cans
...But I have a fish room with 300 gallons total with 30 sq/ft of water surface exposed (lots of evaporation). That and I like to make water in bulk because it is better on my DI resin!
I use two 26 gallon brute trash cans
...But I have a fish room with 300 gallons total with 30 sq/ft of water surface exposed (lots of evaporation). That and I like to make water in bulk because it is better on my DI resin!
It'll definitely depend on your evaporation rate. Every tank is its own little eco system with different variables, but you're probably looking at about three days worth of water with that gallon container.
Sludgysnail
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Three days was kind of what I was thinking. Maybe I'll figure out a way for more storage.
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There are a lot of variables including how much evaporation that you will have and how often you hope to refill the reservoir. On my 75g, 55g, and 50g I have ~6g reservoirs on each which gives my some flexibility. You can try a 1g container, but I think that you will find that you are refilling it every day or two and will increase the chance of it running dry. Of course, you can always start at 1g and then increase to 2 or 3g if you need to adjust. Good luck with whatever you choose!
WvAquatics
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I'm eventually setting up a 10g as a rodi top off. That's around 5-6 days
Sludgysnail
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That's a great point. I think I can hide something between the couch and my wall that will be next to the aquarium. I think more volume is better than not having it. Plus, I have to admit I can see myself being a little lazy about refilling it. Probably should make it more of a weekly chore rather than an almost daily one.
Daniel@R2R
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definitely go as large as you can get away with conveniently
RiversideReefer
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in my 45 gallon my 5 gallon ato reservoir typically lasts a week.
mike550
Valuable Member
Completely agree with others that how long your reservoir will last depends a lot on your evaporation rate. If you have a lid on top that will reduce your evaporation rate. Some folks will say a lid will affect oxygen exchange but others say that the skimmer and good water surface action in the air gap below the lid is enough. Who am I to argue.
I’d start with the 1G to see how it does. If you need something bigger while you’re out of town you could use a 5G bucket or something as your reservoir since it’s only temporary
I’d start with the 1G to see how it does. If you need something bigger while you’re out of town you could use a 5G bucket or something as your reservoir since it’s only temporary
