Looking for an ATO Box....

lyrical · Sep 16, 2015

Trex said:
Where will the discharge from the ATO be going?
Into the sump? If, yes, how tall is your sump?

The discharge opening will be the height limit of your ATO container's water level. If the water level is any higher it will siphon out. I had that issue when looking for a tall and narrow container. Ended up with an AA one, but can't fill it up all the way --- I have to leave a couple of inches.

I'm not entirely sure I understand what you are asking. I have a 50g sump that is 15" tall filled with 8" of water. The ATO Box will be set between the end of the sump and the stand wall. I have a Tunze ATO with a pump that will pump the water out of the container and into my sump. For the AA box the output is on the top lid so it would go out the top and down into my sump.

Hopefully that makes sense

Wbrian · Sep 16, 2015

how about a wrapping paper storage box?

mfinn · Sep 16, 2015

I found a good ATO topoff container at Petsmart in the dog food container section.
A lot of different sizes and most were made from food grade plastic.

evolved · Sep 16, 2015

^ yup. I've used one of these for a long time:
http://www.petsmart.com/dog/storage...6-catid-100071?var_id=36-6464&_t=pfm=category

Justiful · Sep 16, 2015

http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/acrylic_sheets_cast_clear/510

$70-125 for your project. You assemble it yourself. Great website for all your custom needs. There are even tutorials on the website. MUCH cheaper then ordering a custom made box.

It can be cheaper if you cut it yourself, but precut might be easier if you don't have tools.

Gluing acrylic is easy. (Note: it is not actually glue you use, it is a liquid that makes a chemical weld. But how it happens isn't important, it is easy and works.)

lyrical · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks for the links every one

lyrical · Sep 17, 2015

Justiful said:
http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/acrylic_sheets_cast_clear/510

$70-125 for your project. You assemble it yourself. Great website for all your custom needs. There are even tutorials on the website. MUCH cheaper then ordering a custom made box.

It can be cheaper if you cut it yourself, but precut might be easier if you don't have tools.

Gluing acrylic is easy. (Note: it is not actually glue you use, it is a liquid that makes a chemical weld. But how it happens isn't important, it is easy and works.)

Wow that's a cool site thanks! Sounds fun to try but not sure I could do the math to make it work right. Also not sure how I would get holes in the top but maybe that's something they could do as well.

Lord_Spice · Sep 17, 2015

Try buildinganobsession.com

lyrical · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks!

Trex · Sep 17, 2015

coral_blueiblonde said:
I'm not entirely sure I understand what you are asking. I have a 50g sump that is 15" tall filled with 8" of water. The ATO Box will be set between the end of the sump and the stand wall. I have a Tunze ATO with a pump that will pump the water out of the container and into my sump. For the AA box the output is on the top lid so it would go out the top and down into my sump.

Hopefully that makes sense

If the total height of your sump is 15" (( at the rim of it )), that is about how high the water can be in your ATO container --- otherwise it will siphon out to that point.

In the following picture you can see the ATO line going into my sump. I can not fill my container up any higher than that point. So, you will have to take that into consideration when you get your container. If the ATO line comes in at 15" off the ground, and your ATO container if filled up to 20" off the ground, the extra 5" will siphon into your sump. (( the white PVC is just to eliminate splashing/noise when the ATO turns on ))

lyrical · Sep 18, 2015

Thanks Trex! That helped explain it.

I wonder if you could put a check valve on it to prevent that?

Salty1962 · Sep 18, 2015

Check out the Trigger ATO containers at Premium Aquatics. I got mine from there and they are well built with reasonable prices.

Salty1962 · Sep 18, 2015

ksfulk said:
Pretty sure Marc (@melev ) could hook you up with something that would work. I have a few reefing friends that have some of his acrylic creations and they are really pleased with the quality. Might be worth a PM to him, or check out his website.

Marc is great with acrylics!

namkiii · Sep 18, 2015

I just got a extra lid to the 5 gallon water jugs you get at lfs drilled holes in spare lid so you can still get water in it

evolved · Sep 18, 2015

coral_blueiblonde said:
Thanks Trex! That helped explain it.

I wonder if you could put a check valve on it to prevent that?

With a good lid/seal on my ATO container, I simply put a small hole in the ATO pump line, just below the lid but above the water level of the container. This acts as a siphon break and eliminates that issue.

A check valve wouldn't help, as the siphon direction is in the same direction as the water flow from the pump.

Feltman · Sep 18, 2015

Ya I have a 1/2 tube and I put a slit in the tube right at the top of my container and put some airline tubing in it to keep it open so when my ato pump shuts off the siphon is broken right away it allows u to have a tall narrow ato container. Also try plasticmart.Com they have some odd size containers but arnt the cheapest.

lyrical · Sep 19, 2015

evolved said:
With a good lid/seal on my ATO container, I simply put a small hole in the ATO pump line, just below the lid but above the water level of the container. This acts as a siphon break and eliminates that issue.

That's a good idea

I am assuming then that any water leakage just leaks back into the ATO box?

lyrical · Sep 19, 2015

evolved said:
A check valve wouldn't help, as the siphon direction is in the same direction as the water flow from the pump.

Uggh I knew this.. that's what I get for posting so late. This is also why I put blonde in my name for full public disclosure

Thank you though for correcting that

lyrical · Sep 19, 2015

Feltman said:
Ya I have a 1/2 tube and I put a slit in the tube right at the top of my container and put some airline tubing in it to keep it open so when my ato pump shuts off the siphon is broken right away it allows u to have a tall narrow ato container. Also try plasticmart.Com they have some odd size containers but arnt the cheapest.

Thanks for the idea as well

I'll check out the link!