Cleaning ATO Chamber

[tbrown]

Curious: how often do you clean your ATO tank?

I run an air stone in the tank but no other movement. I was looking in there this morning and noticed there seems to be a layer of scum on the bottom of the tank. I've recently been having some rising nitrates and I'm wondering if maybe this is part of it.

 

[blaxsun]

Haven't cleaned it yet, but it's covered so there's a minimum of dust (etc.) that can fall into it. The second reservoir in the stand I have to do the occasional cleaning on.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Curious: how often do you clean your ATO tank?

I run an air stone in the tank but no other movement. I was looking in there this morning and noticed there seems to be a layer of scum on the bottom of the tank. I've recently been having some rising nitrates and I'm wondering if maybe this is part of it.

Hmmm food for thought, mine has only been going 8 months and I have never cleaned it. This weekend I changed my 5 gallon ato to a 10 gallon as I'm taking my first away vacation in years, I'm following thread

 

[tbrown]

Hmmm food for thought, mine has only been going 8 months and I have never cleaned it. This weekend I changed my 5 gallon ato to a 10 gallon as I'm taking my first away vacation in years, I'm following thread

I never had to clean the 5 gallon but upgraded to a 10 as well so I can take a week without my in-laws having to do much. It's been going for about 6 or 7 months now and never have cleaned it. I should probably test it for nitrates.

 

[tbrown]

Haven't cleaned it yet, but it's covered so there's a minimum of dust (etc.) that can fall into it. The second reservoir in the stand I have to do the occasional cleaning on.

I wondered if covering it would make any difference. Do you cover it with cheesecloth or something breathable?

 

[blaxsun]

I wondered if covering it would make any difference. Do you cover it with cheesecloth or something breathable?

It's an IM Hydrofill, so it's got a drawer and glass top covering it.

 

[tbrown]

Hmmm food for thought, mine has only been going 8 months and I have never cleaned it. This weekend I changed my 5 gallon ato to a 10 gallon as I'm taking my first away vacation in years, I'm following thread

I wonder if a slightly less nyer age time for the water can cause it to go stale. That's why I had the air stone in there (that and to balance the pH).

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I wonder if a slightly less nyer age time for the water can cause it to go stale. That's why I had the air stone in there (that and to balance the pH).

That sounds plausable, I know I filled my 5 gallon twice a week or more. I think I'm going to keep an eye on the slime and test for nutrients in a month.

 

[reefiniteasy]

I scrub mine down once a year. Removes the film on the bottom and any dust that enters. I have a nice Trigger reservoir but it does have holes in the top for dust to enter.

 

[tbrown]

I scrub mine down once a year. Removes the film on the bottom and any dust that enters. I have a nice Trigger reservoir but it does have holes in the top for dust to enter.

Awesome! How bad does it get in that year? Is it noticable or just thin?

 

[reefiniteasy]

Awesome! How bad does it get in that year? Is it noticable or just thin?

Thin layer. I don’t really care about the slime. It’s the dust and cat hair I look for. I last cleaned it on December 25th. It still looks great. I change out my ato tubing in the reservoir more frequently because the plastic hardens and gets gross.

 

[tbrown]

The pet hair makes sense. I have to clean the valve every month or two to get the dog hair out. If I wait too long I see a significant decrease in flow.

 

[z4chburris]

Curious: how often do you clean your ATO tank?

I run an air stone in the tank but no other movement. I was looking in there this morning and noticed there seems to be a layer of scum on the bottom of the tank. I've recently been having some rising nitrates and I'm wondering if maybe this is part of it.

I usually clean it when I notice slime. I have 2 of the IM 5g, and they both get it. I think it has to do with the clear glass walls and open back. I don’t think it adds nutrients to the tanks, but it’s gross if you ever have to stick your hand in the reservoir for whatever reason. So I keep it clean, but I think it’s fine to leave it.

 

[z4chburris]

That sounds plausable, I know I filled my 5 gallon twice a week or more. I think I'm going to keep an eye on the slime and test for nutrients in a month.

Definitely report back if you find there to be nutrients! Lol I’ve never thought to check that. I always just clean it when I notice it. But if it’s also adding nutrients I might change my husbandry to every two months

 

[tbrown]

Definitely report back if you find their to be nutrients! Lol I’ve never thought to check that. I always just clean it when I notice it. But if it’s also adding nutrients I might change my husbandry to every two months

Will do!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Definitely report back if you find there to be nutrients! Lol I’ve never thought to check that. I always just clean it when I notice it. But if it’s also adding nutrients I might change my husbandry to every two months

I will definitely,

 

[Gtinnel]

My ATO reservoir is half of a normal 29g aquarium with an open top. Mine has gotten pretty nasty over the past 5 years but I’ve still never cleaned it. Do to some bad planning on my setup it is impossible for me to reach my hand completely into my reservoir because I only have a few inches of clearance above it.

I am currently battling high nutrients and I never even considered that my top of water could be adding nutrients. I too am incredibly curious what your results are. Actually I think I have some test strips sitting around that I may use to test my water with too.

 

[tbrown]

My ATO reservoir is half of a normal 29g aquarium with an open top. Mine has gotten pretty nasty over the past 5 years but I’ve still never cleaned it. Do to some bad planning on my setup it is impossible for me to reach my hand completely into my reservoir because I only have a few inches of clearance above it.

I am currently battling high nutrients and I never even considered that my top of water could be adding nutrients. I too am incredibly curious what your results are. Actually I think I have some test strips sitting around that I may use to test my water with too.

I just got my new Nitrate Hanna reagents. Watching Indiana Jones right now but I'm going to test as soon as the movie is over.

 

[Nate Chalk]

Curious: how often do you clean your ATO tank?

I run an air stone in the tank but no other movement. I was looking in there this morning and noticed there seems to be a layer of scum on the bottom of the tank. I've recently been having some rising nitrates and I'm wondering if maybe this is part of it.

Just got a cheap power head and put on a smart outlet with a timer. Runs 1 hour a day. And it's mixing even the kalk at the bottom that's been there forever.

 

[stoney7713]

Never, I have the cheap bucket ATO resivor and cut a hole in the edge of the lid for the hose and wire. It stays covered and clean.

Now the lid gets covered with dust and pet hair and needs cleaned

But of course it's only been a year....