Hidden/Decorative Auto Top Off (ATO) Container

[jaysauce]

Hi...does anyone mind sharing their pictures or ideas for a hidden ATO container? I am tired of seeing an ugly grey bucket in my living room and am thinking of ways to make the container less conspicuous. I have seen people put them in an ottoman but what other ideas are there? I need to have at least 5 gallon capacity as that is what I currently need to refill the container on a weekly basis.

Thanks in advance!

 

[KSzegi]

I got smart when I upgraded my large tank and put the reservoir beneath in the stand but with the tank being a 300dd it leaves room for that too :bigsmile: .... but I'm currently looking for something decorative to hide the container for my 90 .... what I'm hoping to find is something like this .....

Cottage Cube | Pottery Barn

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Great idea on the basket.

 

[ritter6788]

I've seen people put small tabletops on the containers and cover it with a cloth an set a lamp on top.

 

[jcharrsn]

I built a small oak plywood cabinet around the five gallon bucket that I use for my DIY ATO. I left the back open for access to the bucket and aqualifter. I matched the stain to the stand so it looks as if it belongs. It works great as a small flat surface for doing water changes especially because you can take advantage of gravity siphoning when transferring newly mixed saltwater back into the sump from a bucket on top of the cabinet. I fill the top off bucket with fresh water by gravity siphoning as well. The top off bucket stays in the cabinet all the time.

The wife wouldn't let the top off bucket stay out in the open, but at the end of the day everybody is pleased with the outcome. I can send you some pics if you are interested just pm me.

 

[mfinn]

Can't you put it somewhere else than in the living room?
I put my top-off container in my garage, about 8'-9' away.