Top Off Container Question

I set up a gravity fed top off tank to keep my sump at the correct level

I used a 16x16x16 acrylic cube for the holding tank, I plumbed a 1/4 inch line from the holding tank to the float valve in my sump.

It works perfect, its in my basement so it does not get any sunlight, just light from my refugium light.

Can I leave the holding tank clear or will it grow algae.

Id rather not paint the tank but I will if I need to.

Any thoughts would be great.

 

If it's got an airtight lid on it and you're filling it with RODI, it can't grow anything since there's no impurities in the water.

 

I use a clear 2.5 gallon beverage container for my ATO with no issues. It receives ambient light from the room, as well as a bit of spillover from my 250W MH.

 

For my last tank I had an 18" diameter x 48" tall clear plastic cylinder that I kept in my garage (where my sump was - no cars in there) that was only about 8 feet from a window.

It was open on the top, bugs fell in it along with a few other things - never any problems with it.

Sounds like you've got a good set up.

Comments:

- A 16"x16"x16" container is big enough that it will take some number of hours to fill with most RO/DI systems. Do you have a fail safe for that? It was a god send for me when I realized that the old drain pipe next to my RO/DI container was still tied in so I could build in an overflow and drop excess water down the drain. If you don't do this it's not a matter of "if" but rather "when" you will accidentally leave it on and have a bunch of RO water all over the floor - ask me about what happened when I did this with my office tank... over the weekend... on the second floor... ouch

- Are you going to have any additives in the make up water? A lot of people will mix in Kalk into their top off water. If you do this, make sure the line you have going to the sump is large enough and at an appropriate angle not to get build up that may clog it. Not a huge deal if it does, but worth mentioning.

- How big is your display tank? What would happen if all ~20 gallons got into your system due to a malfunctioning float?

 

I manually fill the cube with RO that I make in garbage cans.

I have my sump and top off in my basement right next to my house sump pump.

I forget the ro water all the time and it just runs into the pit and out, its great.

That is great news on the water not growing anything, makes sense theres nothing to grow...

Question about kalk wasser, do you pre dissolve it then add it to the top off ?

I have 1/4 inch line, will it clog... is it hard to dissolve ?