Red Sea Reefer 450 Space for larger ATO

[Brian1f1]

I’m in the planning stages here. I’ve exhaustively searched but can’t find what people say the max dimensions are for an ATO tank in the under tank cabinet. I won’t need a chiller, but probably do need space for an Apex. If this is unworkable I might need to reconsider the tank size because I can’t do external with this long a unit. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Brew12]

I’m in the planning stages here. I’ve exhaustively searched but can’t find what people say the max dimensions are for an ATO tank in the under tank cabinet. I won’t need a chiller, but probably do need space for an Apex. If this is unworkable I might need to reconsider the tank size because I can’t do external with this long a unit. Any help is appreciated!

Are you looking for an extra ATO tank in addition to the 3.6g one it comes with?

 

[Brian1f1]

Yes. That I’d like to fit in the stand.

 

[Brew12]

Yes. That I’d like to fit in the stand.

Without knowing your specific situation I don't know if you have a good option unless this will be a FOWLR. If it is for a reef tank, you may need that chiller compartment for dosing containers eventually.

 

[pelphrey]

Thought about having a custom one made? Blue Tide Acrylics made mine.

 

[Midrats]

The included ATO is elegantly simple and it's volume is by design... it's flood proof. I don't mind filling it twice a week. I have multiple ATO units lying around but there's no need for the added complication.

 

[Brian1f1]

Thought about having a custom one made? Blue Tide Acrylics made mine.

I am interested in doing something just like that, but in the stand of either a 525 or 450. I guess when I get it I can measure and order. Thanks.

 

[Brian1f1]

The included ATO is elegantly simple and it's volume is by design... it's flood proof. I don't mind filling it twice a week. I have multiple ATO units lying around but there's no need for the added complication.

Interesting. I thought it would be bi-daily. Maybe I will try it first.

 

[Brew12]

Interesting. I thought it would be bi-daily. Maybe I will try it first.

I have a 10g ATO on my 187g rimless system. It's 60"x30"x24" so plenty of surface area. I evaporate around 1.5g per day.

Evaporation rates can vary widely, most impacted by humidity in the room you keep it and the differential temperature between the tank and the room. Unless you are in an extreme situation filling it 2 times a week seems reasonable.
Even though I evaporate close to 1.5g/day I make up some of that with 1L of saturated Kalkwasser using a doser. So 1/4 of a gallon is replaced with this reducing my ATO need to 1.25g/day. I hope to get to the point where I can dose 2L of Kalk per day to stretch out ATO refills even further.

 

[Midrats]

The stock reservoir lasts me three days. When I used to add limewater as Brew12 does it lasted a week.

 

[Sunny Goold]

I have a 10g ATO on my 187g rimless system. It's 60"x30"x24" so plenty of surface area. I evaporate around 1.5g per day.

Evaporation rates can vary widely, most impacted by humidity in the room you keep it and the differential temperature between the tank and the room. Unless you are in an extreme situation filling it 2 times a week seems reasonable.
Even though I evaporate close to 1.5g/day I make up some of that with 1L of saturated Kalkwasser using a doser. So 1/4 of a gallon is replaced with this reducing my ATO need to 1.25g/day. I hope to get to the point where I can dose 2L of Kalk per day to stretch out ATO refills even further.

Thanks Brew - thats awesome info - will really help in designing my system