I need help with my ATO water storage, share your limited space setups

WienerDog · 04/05/2011, 07:00 AM

I have very limited space to store my water. The space is maybe 12" wide and 14" deep maybe a few more deep. I was thinking a wrapping paper box, but was afraid of the plastic bowing out. Any ideas ????
Here is the space to the left of the tank, between the tank and the window. There is alot of curtain in there, it can be moved or rearranged.

snulma1 · 04/05/2011, 07:18 AM

What about a water container (like to carry in a vehicle, or that you buy pre-made saltwater in). I used to have one of those that I would set up higher then the tank and ran a drip line when I wasn't home for top offs.

James404 · 04/05/2011, 07:21 AM

For my 75gal I use a 10g glass tank, it works well, I forget the dimensions off the top of my head though..

bamf25 · 04/05/2011, 07:23 AM

I use a large pet food storage bin. Mine holds 16 gallons about, but they make them in multiple smaller sizes. Best thing for mine is it is on casters, so I can roll it to fill it than roll it back.

WienerDog · 04/05/2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamf25

I use a large pet food storage bin. Mine holds 16 gallons about, but they make them in multiple smaller sizes. Best thing for mine is it is on casters, so I can roll it to fill it than roll it back.

Does it bow out at all when it's filled? How long will it last? If I go away for a week, will it last ? I am working with an uncovered 90g with a 30g uncovered sump.

bamf25 · 04/05/2011, 07:36 AM

The container bows a little bit, but does not seem to be an issue. My tank is new so still getting a handle on my evaporation (I have a 120g with 40g sump, new house with heat and central ac), but it appears to be 1 to 1 1/2 g per day. Currently my tank is uncovered, but depending on what I end up stocking with I may put covers on it. So in theory I can get about 10 days. The conatiner cost me $30 at Petsmart. When you go away you can always piggyback a second container or pull in the brute trash can for the week with like 32 gallons in it.

WienerDog · 04/05/2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamf25

The container bows a little bit, but does not seem to be an issue. My tank is new so still getting a handle on my evaporation (I have a 120g with 40g sump, new house with heat and central ac), but it appears to be 1 to 1 1/2 g per day. Currently my tank is uncovered, but depending on what I end up stocking with I may put covers on it. So in theory I can get about 10 days. The conatiner cost me $30 at Petsmart. When you go away you can always piggyback a second container or pull in the brute trash can for the week with like 32 gallons in it.

I am gonna grab a rubbermaid container to fit in the spot. Great thinking about bringin in the trash can, while I am gone. I may also hire someone to make a couple of visits.

quazi · 04/05/2011, 09:06 AM

FWIW, I use a 2-35 gallon Brute trash cans; one salt water and one fresh. These are in my utility area on wheels. I move them to the tanks to perform water changes. I also run a line from my RO/DI directly to my sump with to my ATO (double redundant). When the ATO wants water, it receives fresh RO water. The utility room is a long way from the tank. The 1/4 inch tubes went through the walls (easy to do, actually) and to the back of the tank.

RokleM · 04/05/2011, 09:31 AM

Any acrylic wizards local? I built one out of 1/4" extruded that's roughly 10x12x26 if I recall, custom fit to fill the space.

Brwestern · 04/05/2011, 10:07 AM

Www.plastic-mart.com

hebygb · 04/05/2011, 10:22 AM

I use a standard 5 gallon water bottle (like those on a water cooler only in blue plastic)... I use an aqualifter hooked up to an autotopoff.com dual float switch. I like the bottle because of the smaller neck. It is not subject to evaporation like an open top container (like a 10 gallon tank)... also is less prone to collect contaminates.

To refill just take a funnel with a hose and pour fresh RO/DI water in... (repurpose that beer funnel from college... hehehe)... Mine have been working flawless on each of my tanks for years and even pushing the water through my kalk reactors.

glenns · 04/05/2011, 10:40 AM

Is there enough room between the stand and the left wall for a standard 5 gallon jug? I have one on the right side of my tank between the stand and diagonal hearth. My top off controller turns on a Aqua Lifter vacuum pump to pump water from the jug to the sump. You could at least obscure yours with the curtains.

evoi19 · 04/05/2011, 11:56 AM

check out advanced acrylic on ebay. I have all my ATO containers from them. Also I have 2 gallon containers for my alk, cal and mag. They have custom sizes that may meet your needs. Space in my condo is tight and i didn't want a trash can sticking out like a sore thumb in my condo so I went with an acrrylic container.

Here's a pic of mine. One is for ATO and the other is for making saltwater. I believe it's around 17gallons if i remember correctly. Tank is a 90gal. and I use about a gallon of ATO a day.

minireef30 · 04/05/2011, 12:09 PM

I use a old reef crystal bucket with a hole cut in the lid.

hebygb · 04/05/2011, 12:12 PM

looked on ebay... can you share a link?

evoi19 · 04/05/2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hebygb

looked on ebay... can you share a link?

http://stores.ebay.com/Advance-Acrylics

d0ughb0y · 04/05/2011, 12:31 PM

looks nice. a little pricey. but the 6x24x16 will fit perfectly in my very limited cabinet space. I wonder how much it will cost to diy? if it is not a big difference, I will consider getting one. its just a box right? and does not have to look pretty.

evoi19 · 04/05/2011, 12:36 PM

yea essentially it's just an acrylic box. Has a hole at the top to run lines out of, a flip top opening for larger things. The edges are rounded to give it a clean look as well. If you're storing it in the cabinet or in a fish room, then I'd probably go with something inexpensive, but mine had to sit outside in the open.

i'm still looking for some kind of enclosure like a wooden bench with stoage under the seat so i can put these in but no luck so far.

d0ughb0y · 04/05/2011, 01:17 PM

if you were to find such an enclosure, then you could as well just use any ugly container. you might as well not cover it to show it off.

in my case, I cannot find a container that is only 6" wide or less that can hold more than 6 gallons. it is fine in the winter when evaporation is low, but during the summer, I have to refill midweek, which becomes a pain.

WienerDog · 04/05/2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0ughb0y

if you were to find such an enclosure, then you could as well just use any ugly container. you might as well not cover it to show it off.

in my case, I cannot find a container that is only 6" wide or less that can hold more than 6 gallons. it is fine in the winter when evaporation is low, but during the summer, I have to refill midweek, which becomes a pain.

Thats where my problem lies. I appreciate all of the advice I am getting. I never knew half of these products existed. But I think I am gonna go with the 7" dog food container that holds 16g's.

04/05/2011, 07:00 AM	#1
WienerDog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 980	I need help with my ATO water storage, share your limited space setups I have very limited space to store my water. The space is maybe 12" wide and 14" deep maybe a few more deep. I was thinking a wrapping paper box, but was afraid of the plastic bowing out. Any ideas ???? Here is the space to the left of the tank, between the tank and the window. There is alot of curtain in there, it can be moved or rearranged. __________________ "Winners do what they have to and losers do what they want" Phill 4:13 Current Tank Info: 5.5g Spec V Pico Reef

04/05/2011, 07:21 AM	#3
James404 I <3 Acros Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 2,523	For my 75gal I use a 10g glass tank, it works well, I forget the dimensions off the top of my head though.. __________________ 80g Deep Blue Rimless - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2651295 225g Reef Savvy SPS Dominant - Retired http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1945361

04/05/2011, 09:06 AM	#8
quazi Old Reefer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sterling VA Posts: 325	FWIW, I use a 2-35 gallon Brute trash cans; one salt water and one fresh. These are in my utility area on wheels. I move them to the tanks to perform water changes. I also run a line from my RO/DI directly to my sump with to my ATO (double redundant). When the ATO wants water, it receives fresh RO water. The utility room is a long way from the tank. The 1/4 inch tubes went through the walls (easy to do, actually) and to the back of the tank. __________________ When you make something idiot proof, better idiots will evolve! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef tank.

04/05/2011, 09:31 AM	#9
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Any acrylic wizards local? I built one out of 1/4" extruded that's roughly 10x12x26 if I recall, custom fit to fill the space. __________________ -Eric-

04/05/2011, 10:07 AM	#10
Brwestern Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Celebration, Fl Posts: 600	Www.plastic-mart.com __________________ 112g rimless 45x24\| pacific sun metis led \| SRO 2000int skimmer \| 2x mp40 \| 2 brs media reactors, gfo + carbon \| eheim 1262 \| Reef Keeper lite w/ NET

04/05/2011, 07:18 AM	#2
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	What about a water container (like to carry in a vehicle, or that you buy pre-made saltwater in). I used to have one of those that I would set up higher then the tank and ran a drip line when I wasn't home for top offs.

04/05/2011, 07:23 AM	#4
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	I use a large pet food storage bin. Mine holds 16 gallons about, but they make them in multiple smaller sizes. Best thing for mine is it is on casters, so I can roll it to fill it than roll it back.

04/05/2011, 07:36 AM	#6
bamf25 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 1,419	The container bows a little bit, but does not seem to be an issue. My tank is new so still getting a handle on my evaporation (I have a 120g with 40g sump, new house with heat and central ac), but it appears to be 1 to 1 1/2 g per day. Currently my tank is uncovered, but depending on what I end up stocking with I may put covers on it. So in theory I can get about 10 days. The conatiner cost me $30 at Petsmart. When you go away you can always piggyback a second container or pull in the brute trash can for the week with like 32 gallons in it.

04/05/2011, 10:22 AM	#11
hebygb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elmhurst, IL Posts: 2,207	I use a standard 5 gallon water bottle (like those on a water cooler only in blue plastic)... I use an aqualifter hooked up to an autotopoff.com dual float switch. I like the bottle because of the smaller neck. It is not subject to evaporation like an open top container (like a 10 gallon tank)... also is less prone to collect contaminates. To refill just take a funnel with a hose and pour fresh RO/DI water in... (repurpose that beer funnel from college... hehehe)... Mine have been working flawless on each of my tanks for years and even pushing the water through my kalk reactors.

04/05/2011, 10:40 AM	#12
glenns Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 623	Is there enough room between the stand and the left wall for a standard 5 gallon jug? I have one on the right side of my tank between the stand and diagonal hearth. My top off controller turns on a Aqua Lifter vacuum pump to pump water from the jug to the sump. You could at least obscure yours with the curtains. __________________ Glenn Current Tank Info: 90G w/20L Sump/Refugium, 6 T5 lights @54W ea., Reef Octopus EXT-PS-120, DSB/LR ,SPS, Derasa, GBTA, Zoo's, Fish, Inverts.

04/05/2011, 11:56 AM	#13
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	check out advanced acrylic on ebay. I have all my ATO containers from them. Also I have 2 gallon containers for my alk, cal and mag. They have custom sizes that may meet your needs. Space in my condo is tight and i didn't want a trash can sticking out like a sore thumb in my condo so I went with an acrrylic container. Here's a pic of mine. One is for ATO and the other is for making saltwater. I believe it's around 17gallons if i remember correctly. Tank is a 90gal. and I use about a gallon of ATO a day. __________________ Elos 120 SPS Last edited by evoi19; 04/05/2011 at 12:01 PM.

04/05/2011, 12:09 PM	#14
minireef30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bessemer City,NC Posts: 291	I use a old reef crystal bucket with a hole cut in the lid.

04/05/2011, 12:12 PM	#15
hebygb Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elmhurst, IL Posts: 2,207	looked on ebay... can you share a link?

04/05/2011, 12:31 PM	#17
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	looks nice. a little pricey. but the 6x24x16 will fit perfectly in my very limited cabinet space. I wonder how much it will cost to diy? if it is not a big difference, I will consider getting one. its just a box right? and does not have to look pretty.

04/05/2011, 12:36 PM	#18
evoi19 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 221	yea essentially it's just an acrylic box. Has a hole at the top to run lines out of, a flip top opening for larger things. The edges are rounded to give it a clean look as well. If you're storing it in the cabinet or in a fish room, then I'd probably go with something inexpensive, but mine had to sit outside in the open. i'm still looking for some kind of enclosure like a wooden bench with stoage under the seat so i can put these in but no luck so far. __________________ Elos 120 SPS

04/05/2011, 01:17 PM	#19
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	if you were to find such an enclosure, then you could as well just use any ugly container. you might as well not cover it to show it off. in my case, I cannot find a container that is only 6" wide or less that can hold more than 6 gallons. it is fine in the winter when evaporation is low, but during the summer, I have to refill midweek, which becomes a pain.

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