Best size of ATO res.?

[Devaji108]

what is your option on the best thing and size of ATo res.
I am thinking glass would be best but i know there are some pretty creative peeps out there.

I am thining a 10-20gal glass tank...
what do you use and how to you hide it? would love to see pics too:)

[username in use]

Big enough to get you through a week without being so big that if it malfunctions and pumps it all in your screwed.

[HowieB]

The biggest container that will fit in the space. I have a 20 gallon plastic container. I fill it every 2 - 3 weeks. With a dual float switch, and having it hooked into my Reefkeeper on a timer, I feel pretty safe.

[KafudaFish]

Big enough to get you through a week without being so big that if it malfunctions and pumps it all in your screwed.

This.

My current one is 2 gallons and I fill it every 3 days. When I go on vacation I will replace it with a 10 gallon tank to get me through 2 weeks.

[Meshmez]

Big enough to get you through a week without being so big that if it malfunctions and pumps it all in your screwed.

That's pretty hard to do I think... I would need probably a 7-10 gallon ato reservoir on my 55g tank to last a week, pretty sure if it pumped 7-10 gallons in one shot my salinity would be changed significantly enough to do damage.

Best size depends on your tank and your preference... If your tank evaporates at ~1gal/day and you dont mind adding water to the reservoir every day or so, a 1.5 gallon reservoir would be fine. If you want it to last a week without refilling and you evaporate ~2gal/day, you need a 15-20 gallon reservoir. figure out how much your tank evaporates per day (take an average over a week or so) and then determine what size you have room for and how long you want it to last, and go from there!

[username in use]

That's pretty hard to do I think... I would need probably a 7-10 gallon ato reservoir on my 55g tank to last a week, pretty sure if it pumped 7-10 gallons in one shot my salinity would be changed significantly enough to do damage.

True, 2 points though.

1, you get a lot of evap (I get about 2 gallons a week for a 60g system), and a couple days less than a week is ok as well.

And 2, yes it would cause damage, but Im betting that by the time you discovered it (barring a 2 week vacation) you could save a lot. If you had a reservoir that was too big you could overflow your sump with 10g or more of water over your floor and really drop the bottom out of your salinity to where nothing had a chance.

[seapug]

I used to use a 20 gallon rubbermaid storage bin but now that all my equipment is under the stand, I use a 5 gallon aquarium from Petco. It's all I can fit. If I leave town I'll bring out the old container, set it next to the stand and drop the pump in there.

[Devaji108]

I do get a lot of evap. 1.5 ~2 gal a day on a 75. I have an extra 20 gal that i was going to use. but it's my back up hospital tank until all fish are in the DT then it going to be a QT tank to stock the 40BR macro tank...(the QT tank now).
anyone know when petco is having there next 1 per gallon sale?

just was wondering what your creative ppl have done...

[bongarone]

If you're using a fairly large reservoir, e.g. 20 gallons on an 80 gallon system, you should run two float switches in series. If a single switch setup were to fail in the down position, 20 gallons of freshwater added to 80 gallons of saltwater will take salinity down by as much as 20%, which is 7ppt. I don't know if 28ppt water is survivable for many marine creatures, but the shock could certainly crash your tank.

[MrLeemr]

I use a 32 gallon brute container filled by my ro unit wich is controlled by a solenoid on a timer. The container feeds my sump via gravity and a float valve, the timer controls the ro unit has been adjusted to maintain a level in the res enough to last a couple of days. I've been running this way for a couple of years with no ill effects, i do however regularly clean my float valves to keep the salt and calcium from building on them.

[89Foxbody]

5.5g aquarium from Petco is what I'm using on my new build. Right now I'm just using a 5g bucket.

[bdroptjj]

For my current build in progress, I will have to keep my ATO reservoir in the stand. I would have gone with a standard 20 gallon aquarium, but it won't fit, so I ordered one of these polyethylene tanks. I got the 16 gallon model.

http://www.plastic-mart.com/category.aspx?cat=28&b=1

[bamf25]

I use a large 16 gallon Pet food storage container. I put about 12 gallons in it per fill and it will last about 8 to 10 days on my 120g.

[Devaji108]

If you're using a fairly large reservoir, e.g. 20 gallons on an 80 gallon system, you should run two float switches in series. If a single switch setup were to fail in the down position, 20 gallons of freshwater added to 80 gallons of saltwater will take salinity down by as much as 20%, which is 7ppt. I don't know if 28ppt water is survivable for many marine creatures, but the shock could certainly crash your tank.

Yes I thought about that too, it will be hooked up to a Reef angel controller with dual float switches and one in the Res. just in case I run out of water it will turn out the pump.

so I guess i will use the 20 gal b/c I have it a try to pick up another 20ish gal tank later...anyone have any idea when the next $1 per gallon sale is going on?

and now the question in what pump? I know alot of ppl like the toms aqua lifter.