Heater/Powerhead necessary in ATO resevoir?

[LennyD4]

I will be using a 20L tank for my ATO reservoir. Should I have a heater and/or powerhead inside of it or just keep a lid on it ?

[cloak]

The lid is fine. You don't need a powerhead or a heater. I just have a towel draped over my reservoir.

[iced98lx]

Keep a lid on it. if you're doing just ATO with it the temp will be not enough to affect anything. (topping off into your sump, I assume).

[BrklynArch]

i dont have anything in my ATO reservoir, and havnt had a prob yet. I say save the electricity and keep it simple...but thats just my opinion, of course if your ATO res is located outside or in a garage or very cold basement then you might consider a heater, but even then i wouldbnt think the small amout of freshwater being pumped in will have a major effect if its a few degrees cooler

[LennyD4]

My ATO will be located in a closet directly next to my tank. Thanks for the quick responses everyone.

[88rxna]

please excuse the crazy questions but i have not found the answer yet.

for the ATO, is this just plain RO/DI FRESH water? do i need to mix the salt with this?

do i only need to add salt when i do large water changes (10-20% weekly change)?

i have read the stickies and still am lost on this part.

i am not getting the tank until friday and it will be a few days before i even get to work on it but id like to be ready...

[Randy15]

Only top off with freshwater. Salt dose not evaporate.

[LennyD4]

When you do water changes that water should match your tank water in Salinity and Temperature since you are changing a good portion of the water. Top off water is only freshwater.