Best resevoir for the Tunze ATO system and how far can you hide it?

[shootingstar]

When I set mine up I used a food-safe plastic pail with lid that I got from a wine making store. It would be what you make the mash in before you put it in the demi john. Was cheap, food safe, had a lid and even has gallons marked up the side. Cut a small hole in the lid for the ATO hose & cord and was good to go.
Mine is right beside the sump through so not sure how far away you can go.

[cwatkins]

5 Gallon empty salt bucket. In my case, Instant Ocean. Cut a little slot in the rim of the lid so that the lid can go back on and not interfere with the pump tubing.

Also fits in the stand next to the sump making it invisible with the cabinet doors closed.

[Skimmerking]

ya screw the pail and run a line from your RO unit to the top off line its so easy PM me your number and I will explain it hustler

[cwatkins]

Originally Posted by asmodeus

ya screw the pail and run a line from your RO unit to the top off line its so easy PM me your number and I will explain it hustler

Then the Tunze ATO wouldn't be the best option for him.

With this option, he'd need to have a controller hooked to a solenoid on the RO/DI input, and then run it directly to the tank.

[Myka]

Mike, you're nuts to hook the top off straight to the RO/DI system. If there is ever a failure all of a sudden your fish are swimming in freshwater! I know two people that have crashed their tanks this way. Imo, not a good idea.

Hustler, I use a 5 gallon pail for my 90 and it is a bit small for in the summer when evaporation is at its peak. I think you're looking for something close to 30-40 gallons or so if you have room. Running the line through a wall into an adjacent room is pretty simple. You could install it to run behind the baseboards if you want. Make sure the end of the top off line (the end at the tank/sump) is higher than the water level of the vessel you are pumping from otherwise it will gravity feed out of the vessel. Dog food storage containers tend to be a good shape. Personally, I don't like use trash cans because they are often not food grade plastic. 65 gallon drums work well too (I use these for mixing saltwater).

[madkeenreefer]

I would'nt go the direct RO/DI conect either it has other problems other then stated already such as the membraine leaching which is not to critical when making large quantities each cycle but to stop start a unit all day every day is well just bad,
Also agreed that a large brute can or the like will make you very happy when you dont have to make up sml 5gl buckets all day sundays

Be carfull I did this and brought a cheapO storage bin. I was out of town for 8weeks and had me misses look after the refilling of the bin , long story short I came back to a half dead SPS tank and could not find any problems until I decided to remove the Bin from service ( last thing I changed in tank) and at the bottom of the bin it was like milk.
The Bin had leached, hell knows what I put into the tank.

[mr_alberta]

Mel, we have a 16G cylindrical tub made out of polyethylene that might work for you at the shop...come on down and check it out if you'd like.