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

Myka · #1 12-09-2011, 02:22 AM

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 · #2 12-09-2011, 02:42 AM

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 · #3 12-09-2011, 05:59 AM

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.

Rogue951 · #4 12-09-2011, 06:12 AM

I use a salt pail with a gamma lid. (snaps onto a 5 gallon pail with a screw on lid top.)
However if you use it without the ring that snaps to the pail top, there's just enough room for the lid to sit flush and let the cable/tube come out.

gregzz4 · #5 12-09-2011, 07:15 AM

I haven't had a system running yet, but would never run RO/DI direct.
It isn't efficient this way and can obviously dilute your system if it fails.
I am lucky that I have a room where I can store 55g if need, although I will probably never hold that much at one time.
I just bought a drum/barrel

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=80884

Sorry if the add doesn't apply to your area

My plan is to have a 10g top-up for my 100g system. No direct plumbing.
trudge the water to my ATO as needed.

MarkoD · #6 12-09-2011, 01:53 PM

I used a 5 gallon bucket but found I was refilling it every 2 days. Now I use a 70 gallon tank

parkinsn · #7 12-09-2011, 03:15 PM

I used a rubbermaid 25g ish with the tunze ATO. I put in the closet near my tank, about 8' away. Drilled a small hole in the floor ran it on the basement open celing and back up through the heat duct behind the tank. Worked well and hid the res. I had the same problem, never wanted the tub sitting visible by the tank.