Built in ATO reservoir in sump?

glagunda · Feb 13, 2017

Curious has anyone ever built a reservoir for ATO in their sump? looking to build a 55 gallon sump with a portion of it blocked off for rodi water. good or bad idea? current project 120 gallon peninsula reef tank.

p.s I suck at photoshop

Mandrew · Feb 13, 2017

I have not done it but the only think I can think of that could become an issue would be salt creep or salt water splashing into it.

jenkinscrew2578 · Feb 13, 2017

It can be done, just make sure it has a cover/lid and take precautions for back-siphoning when adding the ATO.

glagunda · Feb 13, 2017

Thanks for the advice. Good idea on the lid.

MaddyP · Feb 13, 2017

Mine is a standard IceCap sump and has a 5.5 gallon ATO reservoir built in. Maybe the larger version would fit your need?

glagunda · Feb 13, 2017

Nice. Definitely would look into that.

MaccaPopEye · Feb 14, 2017

I have (the black section). I think it works really well. I don't have a lid for it yet but I do plan to eventually. Siphoning is an issue with the ATO tube. To stop it for now I have to have the tube come in right at the top of the sump and it has to fall quite far into the return which makes it fairly loud. eventually I plan to use some hard PVC to plumb the ATO pump into the return section and have a siphon break hole.

Sump shot will all equipment in.

MaiReef · Feb 14, 2017

A check valve or two could be used to prevent back siphoning. Also a small hole above the water line

MaccaPopEye · Feb 14, 2017

MaiReef said:
A check valve or two could be used to prevent back siphoning. Also a small hole above the water line

It's not back siphoning that is an issue so check valves wont help. But a siphon break hole just above the waterline will.

glagunda · Feb 14, 2017

Nice sump. Gave me some awesome ideas. Thank you. Looks very clean.

vertigo01 · Feb 14, 2017

Like MaddyP, I have the Icecap 36 going in my current build, which provides for an 8 gal ATO reservoir.

ethridge78 · Feb 14, 2017

vertigo01 said:
Like MaddyP, I have the Icecap 36 going in my current build, which provides for an 8 gal ATO reservoir.

I have the same one also.

saltyfilmfolks · Feb 14, 2017

I think it would be difficult to clean. Eventually it will need to be.

FLSharkvictim · Mar 3, 2019

I just got in my @Synergy Reef Systems CL-44 sump with a Matching 10 gallon ATO Reservoir, so I don't run into any salt creep.
You never want your RODI system constantly turning on and off, so that's why I decided to go with one of Synergy 10 ATO container.
I have a #Apex High and Low sensors, so ones my ATO gets to the 1gallon mark, my RODI will automatically kick on until it reached the High Sensors which kicks my RODI off..
CL-44 W/ A Machting 10 gallon Reservoir..