Can i start a siphon between two water containers to double the capacity of my ATO?

jimxms · 02/07/2016, 02:27 AM

Hi all,

I'm going away on holiday for a week soon and the problem is that the 25L water container that I use for my ATO only lasts about 5 days.

So that got me wondering... if I were to put another 25L container beside it (same dimensions), then use a length of tube that would go from the bottom of one container to the bottom of the other and start a syphon by sucking on the tube, could I effectively double my container size?

I'm imagining that when my ATO pump removes water from one of the containers, the syphon between them both would want to equalise the water levels? Is this right?

Dkuhlmann · 02/07/2016, 05:27 AM

I don't see why not. But make sure there is one of the holding tanks higher than the other. This way the upper one will feed the lower one as it pumps water into your DT.

Crusinjimbo · 02/07/2016, 05:35 AM

Yes, as long as they are connected at the base water will remain level in both assuming each has an air vent. Sounds like a flood waiting to happen if the connection tween the jugs leak. I used two HD buckets stacked. The top one was sealed tight with a water & air tight connection between the buckets. Top feeds bottom when bottom level drops to a point allowing air to enter the top until the water level in the bottom rises to cut the air supply. Either should work.

kcinnick · 02/07/2016, 06:34 AM

Or a temporary larger container?

I use a 25 gallon barrel hooked directly to an RO/DI unit.

downbeach · 02/07/2016, 06:42 AM

I would do this every year when I went away for two weeks. I had three five gallon buckets connected with 1/2" vinyl hoses. I also covered the tank to cut my evaporation in half, since my normal evaporation was ~ 2 gal. a day.

oseymour · 02/07/2016, 06:47 AM

You can get 10 to 15 gallon containers at HomeDepot or Lowe's for less than $15. That's a lot less risky that a siphon between 2 containers.

Yesterday I purchased a 27 gallon container for $11

johnwick · 02/07/2016, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oseymour

You can get 10 to 15 gallon containers at HomeDepot or Lowe's for less than $15. That's a lot less risky that a siphon between 2 containers.

Yesterday I purchased a 27 gallon container for $11

I've been searching. What section were you in and are you referencing general storage containers or actual liquid storage containers?

MidwesternTexan · 02/07/2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimxms

Hi all,

I'm going away on holiday for a week soon and the problem is that the 25L water container that I use for my ATO only lasts about 5 days.

So that got me wondering... if I were to put another 25L container beside it (same dimensions), then use a length of tube that would go from the bottom of one container to the bottom of the other and start a syphon by sucking on the tube, could I effectively double my container size?

I'm imagining that when my ATO pump removes water from one of the containers, the syphon between them both would want to equalise the water levels? Is this right?

YES

The 'siphon' would actually be an equalizing tube that would essentially pull water from both containers until the 'siphon' breaks by air in the bottom of at least one side.
One Doesn't have to be higher than the other in the situation you describe.
Have fun on your vaca.

Also- I'm thinking you're not in the USA- when you mentioned liters.
I could be wrong though- we use that volume also.

shifty51008 · 02/07/2016, 08:26 AM

could you just drill a couple holes at the bottom and connect the containers with uniseal's and pvc? this way you dont worry about the syphon breaking.

oseymour · 02/07/2016, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnwick

I've been searching. What section were you in and are you referencing general storage containers or actual liquid storage containers?

I got this 20 gallon for under $6 http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-20-ga...0108/202523597 and this 27 gallon for #9 http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-27-Ga...NE-5/205978361

There are many more options

Indymann99 · 02/07/2016, 10:45 AM

My solution for 10 days of ATO.

use this design for the past 2 years on spring break trips.

Uses my standard Toms Aqualifter that is used everyday for ATO, just connected to the 5gal buckets.

I use PVC unions to keep the tubing at the bottom of each bucket.

Sk8r · 02/07/2016, 10:50 AM

A 32 gallon Brute trashcan also works. Not too lovely in the living room, but hey, you're on vacay, so who's to notice?

ca1ore · 02/07/2016, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidwesternTexan

YES

The 'siphon' would actually be an equalizing tube that would essentially pull water from both containers until the 'siphon' breaks by air in the bottom of at least one side.
One Doesn't have to be higher than the other in the situation you describe.

This is correct. I used to do it with two buckets next to each other and a U tube linking them. Only tricky part is making sure the tube is full of water. I used an airline hose pushed up one side and sucked out the air.

jimxms · 02/07/2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidwesternTexan

YES

The 'siphon' would actually be an equalizing tube that would essentially pull water from both containers until the 'siphon' breaks by air in the bottom of at least one side.
One Doesn't have to be higher than the other in the situation you describe.
Have fun on your vaca.

Also- I'm thinking you're not in the USA- when you mentioned liters.
I could be wrong though- we use that volume also.

Music to my ears

I guess using a small-ish diameter airline tubing would be better than 1/2" would it? Less chance of siphon breakage?

I'm from the UK, so yeah its a lot harder for us to get massive containers over here.

jimxms · 02/07/2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

My solution for 10 days of ATO.

use this design for the past 2 years on spring break trips.

Uses my standard Toms Aqualifter that is used everyday for ATO, just connected to the 5gal buckets.

I use PVC unions to keep the tubing at the bottom of each bucket.

Awesome setup! I'm going to shamelessly copy that

Member No. 1 · 02/07/2016, 08:39 PM

Fill 5 gallon bucket with your top off water.
Insert hose from top off pump.
Fill 5 gallon water cooler jug.
Invert on top of 5 gallon bucket.
No siphon needed.
Works on the same principle as a water cooler.

chilli_reef · 02/07/2016, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcinnick

Or a temporary larger container?

I use a 25 gallon barrel hooked directly to an RO/DI unit.

Ikr !!! Hahahaaaaaa !!!
Its like watching engineers trying to figure out the obvious by sciencing the snot out of it lol !!!

02/07/2016, 02:27 AM	#1
jimxms Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 59	Can i start a siphon between two water containers to double the capacity of my ATO? Hi all, I'm going away on holiday for a week soon and the problem is that the 25L water container that I use for my ATO only lasts about 5 days. So that got me wondering... if I were to put another 25L container beside it (same dimensions), then use a length of tube that would go from the bottom of one container to the bottom of the other and start a syphon by sucking on the tube, could I effectively double my container size? I'm imagining that when my ATO pump removes water from one of the containers, the syphon between them both would want to equalise the water levels? Is this right?

02/07/2016, 05:27 AM	#2
Dkuhlmann Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,823	I don't see why not. But make sure there is one of the holding tanks higher than the other. This way the upper one will feed the lower one as it pumps water into your DT. __________________ Previous tanks: 200 gal fowlr 9" Emperor Angel and many different butterfly fish 4" maroon clown and several other fish, 50 gal sump, 40 gal mixed reef/fish mostly softies and LPS. Current Tank Info: 40b 750 gph 45 lbs lr, 2"-3" sand, 165w full spectrum dimable LED, 20 gal sump/refugium 30 lbs lr, Bak Pak 2 skimmer, 4" sock temp 79-80, sg 1.026, NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 <10, ph 8.2, calc 400, mag 1300

02/07/2016, 05:35 AM	#3
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Yes, as long as they are connected at the base water will remain level in both assuming each has an air vent. Sounds like a flood waiting to happen if the connection tween the jugs leak. I used two HD buckets stacked. The top one was sealed tight with a water & air tight connection between the buckets. Top feeds bottom when bottom level drops to a point allowing air to enter the top until the water level in the bottom rises to cut the air supply. Either should work. __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

02/07/2016, 06:47 AM	#6
oseymour Euphyllia Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,424	You can get 10 to 15 gallon containers at HomeDepot or Lowe's for less than $15. That's a lot less risky that a siphon between 2 containers. Yesterday I purchased a 27 gallon container for $11 __________________ Just started Red Sea Reefer 350 (75 Gallon) Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2555495 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 350

02/07/2016, 10:45 AM	#11
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	My solution for 10 days of ATO. use this design for the past 2 years on spring break trips. Uses my standard Toms Aqualifter that is used everyday for ATO, just connected to the 5gal buckets. I use PVC unions to keep the tubing at the bottom of each bucket. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

02/07/2016, 06:34 AM	#4
kcinnick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 200	Or a temporary larger container? I use a 25 gallon barrel hooked directly to an RO/DI unit.

02/07/2016, 06:42 AM	#5
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	I would do this every year when I went away for two weeks. I had three five gallon buckets connected with 1/2" vinyl hoses. I also covered the tank to cut my evaporation in half, since my normal evaporation was ~ 2 gal. a day.

02/07/2016, 08:26 AM	#9
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	could you just drill a couple holes at the bottom and connect the containers with uniseal's and pvc? this way you dont worry about the syphon breaking. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

02/07/2016, 10:50 AM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	A 32 gallon Brute trashcan also works. Not too lovely in the living room, but hey, you're on vacay, so who's to notice? __________________ 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%.

02/07/2016, 08:39 PM	#16
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	Fill 5 gallon bucket with your top off water. Insert hose from top off pump. Fill 5 gallon water cooler jug. Invert on top of 5 gallon bucket. No siphon needed. Works on the same principle as a water cooler. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614