What to use for ATO container? gravity fed

mightymizz · 04/06/2011, 11:35 AM

So I have my float valve and the necessary valves, but am not sure what to use as the actual holder of my gravity fed top off water?

I have read reports of the rubbermaid containers and such leaching phosphates and I need the holder to fit under/behind my stand as well. I have a 40g tank so the holder doesn't need to be huge, I am thinking 4-7g??.

Any ideas?

Thanks

stingythingy45 · 04/06/2011, 11:42 AM

I use both a 20 gallon and a 34 gallon Rubbermaid for top off and mixing water.
The ones I've heard of leaching stuff is the Brute brand.I guess that's Rubbermaid,but a cheaper model.

GPB · 04/06/2011, 12:42 PM

I use a Reef Crystals bucket with a hole cut in top for the tubing going to the aqua lifter pump.

Essense · 04/06/2011, 12:53 PM

Does anyone use the 5Gallon Arrowhead/Sparkletts Bottles? I'm using one of those with a spare to make an easy swap when needed. Unsure if these are safe over exteneded periods of time with Limewater inside.

mightymizz · 04/06/2011, 01:26 PM

The bucket sounds like a good idea, BUT I'm going with a GRAVITY fed ATO, which means no dosers/pumps.

Still looking for good ideas. I dont want to have to pay and make an acrylic custom made one.

jeff@zina.com · 04/06/2011, 01:54 PM

Look for anything food grade. Depending on what evaporation you have and the volume you need to top off, a 5 gallon bucket works fine.

Jeff

Liquid Hobby · 04/06/2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightymizz

gravity fed top off water?

I need the holder to fit under/behind my stand as well.

How can the ATO be gravity fed if it's under the stand? Also, how will you regulate the flow, turn it on/off based on evap?

I used a 5 G bucket for my 40 G tank - comes free with the salt!

mightymizz · 04/06/2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liquid Hobby

How can the ATO be gravity fed if it's under the stand? Also, how will you regulate the flow, turn it on/off based on evap?

I used a 5 G bucket for my 40 G tank - comes free with the salt!

Well, its "in" the stand but above my sump. I have a float valve that will be the main device regulating the water flow into the system. If it should fail, it releases such a small amount of water at once that even if I missed it, slowly adding 4g into a system with ~60g would not be too terrible.

I will also have a ball valve between the ATO and the float valve to completely turn it off if I need to do maintenance.

With buckets, how does the curved aspect seal up to the mini 1/4inch bulkhead??

Liquid Hobby · 04/06/2011, 02:24 PM

OK got it - that'll work. You would need to use a uniseal which is a rubber bulk head that works on curved surfaces.

redneckgearhead · 04/06/2011, 02:47 PM

Mine is a 5 gallon water storage can used for camping. Check your local walmarts camping area.

Av619 · 04/06/2011, 02:56 PM

For my ato am going to get a float calve on a weed sprayer .. Of course get a brand new one and wash it out good!!! unless you have hair algae... then I hear a used one with a little roundup would probably work good lol

Sk8r · 04/06/2011, 02:58 PM

Not a big issue: I use Rubbermaid. I also use white poly 5 gallon buckets from the paint dept at Lowe's. Don't use the silver ones: I'm suspicious of those. But the white ones.

rhactopia · 04/06/2011, 04:14 PM

We've been using the silver buckets... just curious why you don't recommend them & wondering if we need to go buy new buckets.

rhactopia · 04/06/2011, 04:17 PM

Should have also mentioned that the water doesn't show any signs of contamination from the buckets, but maybe it's something we're not testing for?

04/06/2011, 11:35 AM	#1
mightymizz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 304	What to use for ATO container? gravity fed So I have my float valve and the necessary valves, but am not sure what to use as the actual holder of my gravity fed top off water? I have read reports of the rubbermaid containers and such leaching phosphates and I need the holder to fit under/behind my stand as well. I have a 40g tank so the holder doesn't need to be huge, I am thinking 4-7g??. Any ideas? Thanks

04/06/2011, 11:42 AM	#2
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	I use both a 20 gallon and a 34 gallon Rubbermaid for top off and mixing water. The ones I've heard of leaching stuff is the Brute brand.I guess that's Rubbermaid,but a cheaper model. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

04/06/2011, 12:42 PM	#3
GPB Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 633	I use a Reef Crystals bucket with a hole cut in top for the tubing going to the aqua lifter pump. __________________ It is what it is! Current Tank Info: Oceanic 37g cube, AquaC Remora Skimmer, 6 x T5 ligts, SSB, 10g sump, GFO, GAC, Polyfilter

04/06/2011, 12:53 PM	#4
Essense Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 140	Does anyone use the 5Gallon Arrowhead/Sparkletts Bottles? I'm using one of those with a spare to make an easy swap when needed. Unsure if these are safe over exteneded periods of time with Limewater inside. __________________ Good Night Now! Current Tank Info: JBJ NC24 Zoa Garden

04/06/2011, 02:24 PM	#9
Liquid Hobby Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 810	OK got it - that'll work. You would need to use a uniseal which is a rubber bulk head that works on curved surfaces. __________________ 120 DT/200 G mixed reef: birthed on Dec 1, 2010 * Neptune Systems controller * 40G Sump + 40G Fuge which gravity feeds into DT * Huge Reef Octopus Skimmer * Calc, GFO and Carbon RXs * 2x250W 20K Radium MH with VHO supplement * 3600 GPH closed loop with OM 4 way * 1700 GPH return

04/06/2011, 01:26 PM	#5
mightymizz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 304	The bucket sounds like a good idea, BUT I'm going with a GRAVITY fed ATO, which means no dosers/pumps. Still looking for good ideas. I dont want to have to pay and make an acrylic custom made one.

04/06/2011, 01:54 PM	#6
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	Look for anything food grade. Depending on what evaporation you have and the volume you need to top off, a 5 gallon bucket works fine. Jeff

04/06/2011, 02:47 PM	#10
redneckgearhead Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tulsa Posts: 505	Mine is a 5 gallon water storage can used for camping. Check your local walmarts camping area.

04/06/2011, 02:56 PM	#11
Av619 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San diego Posts: 77	For my ato am going to get a float calve on a weed sprayer .. Of course get a brand new one and wash it out good!!! unless you have hair algae... then I hear a used one with a little roundup would probably work good lol

04/06/2011, 02:58 PM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Not a big issue: I use Rubbermaid. I also use white poly 5 gallon buckets from the paint dept at Lowe's. Don't use the silver ones: I'm suspicious of those. But the white ones. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/06/2011, 04:14 PM	#13
rhactopia Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 31	We've been using the silver buckets... just curious why you don't recommend them & wondering if we need to go buy new buckets.

04/06/2011, 04:17 PM	#14
rhactopia Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 31	Should have also mentioned that the water doesn't show any signs of contamination from the buckets, but maybe it's something we're not testing for?

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