Making my own ATO container

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Mombo

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Wondering if I can make my own ATO container without too much skill haha.

Would it be best / easiest to use glass or acrylic? Do I need to use 1/4 plexi and/or 1/4in glass if I am going to make it.

I am thinking about making one that is 8in wide x 24in tall x 20in deep
 
I would make it 1/4" thick...less flex and more sturdy... especially if you choose glass! Probably easier to use a 5g bucket though, lol. At least that cones with a lid...
 
Glass is more forgiving, and easy to order to the exact size you need. If you use GE silicone, make sure it is silicone I not II. Let it cure for 24 hours before adding water, rinse it if you can (however, I have done it without rinsing with no ill effects)...

I find acrylic takes far more practice to get a proper water-tight seal. With acrylic, you need to use a solvent to, literally, melt the seams together. There is almost an art to doing it well. However, if you build an acrylic bender, then you can bend three of the four corners, so you only need to seal the bottom and one corner.

I have worked with both and prefer glass, but personally, I would look to the future and pick the skill to develop.
 
Nutramar Foods
When working with glass. Do you put the walls on top of the bottom or "around the bottom" piece of glass. My only thing is how do I get everything to be straight.

I guess if the glass is cut straight it will just work...

Do you put a bead of silicone down and set the glass into it. Or set the glass up and put the bead into the corner it makes... Or both probably....
 
Mombo said:
When working with glass. Do you put the walls on top of the bottom or "around the bottom" piece of glass. My only thing is how do I get everything to be straight.

I guess if the glass is cut straight it will just work...

Do you put a bead of silicone down and set the glass into it. Or set the glass up and put the bead into the corner it makes... Or both probably....
Click to expand...

'Square' is the term you are looking for, not straight. You will likely want to make a jig. In this situation, it would be easiest to put the walls on top of the bottom.

Put the bead on the edge of the glass, then press it onto the bottom. Watch some youtube videos, get some small pieces of glass and get some practice under you belt before going big :)

Be VERY careful, fresh cut class is insanely sharp. Get a sanding block and sand the corners to take the razor's edge off (it will still be sharp, but much safer to handle). When you order the glass, do not get it 'polished'. Polished edges are essentially beveled, so you will not be able to work with them...
 
Unless you are wanting to do it for practice for future projects I'd just buy a pet food container and be done with it.
 
Tidal Gardens
Ya I looked at some pet food containers but my stand wont fit one that is the size I would like. I am wanting to do something that holds about 15 gallons. My new tank I am putting together is going to be a 120g with a 50g sump. Assuming I get about 2g of evaporation a day 15g would make it so I could only fill it once a week.

If I decide to go with a pet food container I did find one that is 10 gallons that would fit in my stand still.
 
If you do decide to build it, the height of the container will dictate the required thickness.
 
Im thinking about making it 24in tall and 20in deep. Maybe 9in wide. How to figure out how thick I need it?
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
I think the rule for acrylic is 1/2" for anything over 20" and i think glass is close to that to. How you plan on doing the top will be a big factor.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
Whoa! That fits easy! And holds a ton! And cheap... wow! Thanks. Ya I have about 30in of height 22in depth and 10in width of room. So that would fit for me. That's cool that it can be turned any direction to make it fit how you need.
 
Well after looking a bit more that 16 gallon is the one for me. Just need to drill some holes in it for the tubes and it would be perfect I think.

Anyone know of a paint that would be effective on plastic like this and at the same time be ok to have in my sump area / fish safe.

Considering making it match my sump etc.
 
Tidal Gardens
I'm liking these rv storage tanks more and more. I found some I the 26g range for about $136. I'll check Amazon for something closer to 20g for my 200g.

Krylon fusion and others work on plastics. You might want to tape off a sight glass area to check level.
 
Deltec
Good call. I am wondering if the container flexing in an out as it fills and becomes empty will crack and ruin the paint. I know they arnt super rigid and will bow a little as they get filled up.
 
Hey wondering if yall know. Does the ATO pump have to go inside the container or can it be on the outside? I am trying to figure out how I would fit the pump into one of these or would it be best to just cut a hole in it?
 
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