ATO Maintenance

[David & Katie]

I have noticed a foul odor in my ATO during top offs on multiple occasions. I usually rinse and dry the reservoir when I have the time, or when it smells off enough that I become concerned. I have
Tunze 3155 Osmolator w/ 7 g reservoir
Nano pump
Nano heater
How do you all maintain your reservoirs to combat stale top off?

On a side note ... My blue Tuxedo decided he needed more accessories

 

[Mariette]

Not specific to the ATO but the buckets I use during water changes. I pour a splash of vinegar in there diluted w water. Splash it around. Rinse till no vinegar smell. Then rinse some more. Let dry. Fresh as a daisy. Should be odourless.

That urchin looks like it crawled out of my worst nightmare lol

 

[bdare]

A little bleach is fine too. Just rinse well and let it dry completely.

 

[cracker]

May I ask how long the water lasts before You need to refill? Other wise the tips above are fine. Just wondering why. Any film buildup on the inside walls maybe?

 

[David & Katie]

May I ask how long the water lasts before You need to refill? Other wise the tips above are fine. Just wondering why. Any film buildup on the inside walls maybe?

It needs to be refilled roughly every 5th day. I have not noticed any film.

 

[JoshH]

So if I'm reading this correctly you have a heater and power head in the ATO container?

 

[David & Katie]

So if I'm reading this correctly you have a heater and power head in the ATO container?

Yes. Not including the ATO pump. I added the heater this winter. I use the powerhead to keep the water stirred and the surface of the water moving. This is all in the 7 gallon bucket that comes with the Tunze 3155.

 

[Taxus812]

The ato is supposed to have RODI water. What are you mixing in it?

 

[David & Katie]

[emoji23]Fresh RODI water.

 

[homer1475]

Why a PH and heater? Your ATO should not be putting enough water in at a time to greatly affect your DT temp. Also its RO/DI it should not pick up a smell or a crust of any kind on the top unless your dosing Kalk. A PH is certainly not needed, and a heater maybe if the water is just below freezing and it greatly effects your DT temps(but shouldn't be even at 33 degrees).

I've been using the same 5G jug for the last 4 years as an ATO. Nothing in my jug other then the ATO pump. There is no smell of any kind in my jug.

On a side note, I keep 35G of RO/DI in a brute for storage(often weeks at a time), and that also never picks up a smell. It did when the brute was new, but after a few batches the smell went away. Perhaps your still picking up that "new plastic" smell?

 

[Retro Reefer]

I wouldn’t heat your ATO container as it will most likely stimulate bacterial growth.

 

[David & Katie]

Why a PH and heater? Your ATO should not be putting enough water in at a time to greatly affect your DT temp. Also its RO/DI it should not pick up a smell or a crust of any kind on the top unless your dosing Kalk. A PH is certainly not needed, and a heater maybe if the water is just below freezing and it greatly effects your DT temps(but shouldn't be even at 33 degrees).

I've been using the same 5G jug for the last 4 years as an ATO. Nothing in my jug other then the ATO pump. There is no smell of any kind in my jug.

On a side note, I keep 35G of RO/DI in a brute for storage(often weeks at a time), and that also never picks up a smell. It did when the brute was new, but after a few batches the smell went away. Perhaps your still picking up that "new plastic" smell?

That's what I am hoping... New plastic smell.
I agree the heater could, and maybe should come out. But do you really think a PH is not necessary? I too use a 32 or 35 gallon Brute (I forget what size it is) for long term storage.

 

[David & Katie]

I wouldn’t heat your ATO container as it will most likely stimulate bacterial growth.

Do you think that is what I am smelling? The heater stimulating microscopic growth? That actually sounds like a very simple and logical explanation for the "earthy smell".

 

[homer1475]

Do you agitate your RO/DI storage? I certainly do not, and I think you'll find most reefers don't. I do agitate my NSW, but RO/DI or my topoff I see no need to.

Agitating it would just allow for air born dust to be more readily available to be sucked into the water. Every notice the TDS going up in your stored water if it doesn't have a tight lid on it? It's the dust in the air causing the TDS to rise, and in my mind agitating it would exacerbate the issue.

 

[homer1475]

If your heating the water, and it's in a tight container(causing humidity). It's very possible your starting to grow some mold, and that could be very much what your smelling.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Do you think that is what I am smelling? The heater stimulating microscopic growth? That actually sounds like a very simple and logical explanation for the "earthy smell".

I couldn’t say for sure but I would think it’s a plausible explanation.

 

[JoshH]

And all of what's been said above is why I was asking about you heating and providing movement in your ATO container. There's really no need for it as surface agitation can and will pull undesirables out of the air and into your water. And as mentioned above I think the heat could have something to do with the smell you are getting :)

 

[David & Katie]

And all of what's been said above is why I was asking about you heating and providing movement in your ATO container. There's really no need for it as surface agitation can and will pull undesirables out of the air and into your water. And as mentioned above I think the heat could have something to do with the smell you are getting :)

Thanks again.