ATO tank prices... what the frak!?

BanZI29

Still just a reefer noob!
View Badges
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,497
Location
Port St. Lucie
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Anyone know why the price of just a small 5 gal ATO storage tank is so frikin high? $200+ for a 5 gal? really? $300+ for 10 gal???
WHY???
I know they are made from acrylic but is that material really that expensive or what??
 

Lost in the Sauce

BANGERANG!!!!
View Badges
Joined
Feb 10, 2021
Messages
18,889
Reaction score
91,536
Location
Southern California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Anyone know why the price of just a small 5 gal ATO storage tank is so frikin high? $200+ for a 5 gal? really? $300+ for 10 gal???
WHY???
I know they are made from acrylic but is that material really that expensive or what??
I honestly cannot tell you other than people wanting a sexy acrylic box that matches their sexy acrylic sump.

5 & 10 gallon Petco aquarium hold the same amount of water for less than a lunch at shake shack.
 

BlennyTime

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 28, 2020
Messages
941
Reaction score
1,561
Location
Atlanta
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Just use a 5 gallon bucket from home depot or if you have the space, one of the 30-40 gallon brute trash cans.
 
OP
OP
BanZI29

BanZI29

Still just a reefer noob!
View Badges
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,497
Location
Port St. Lucie
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I used a 5 gal jug from my LFS and its hidden away in my stand. it works and fits perfectly. Don't most people hide stuff like that anyway?
 
OP
OP
BanZI29

BanZI29

Still just a reefer noob!
View Badges
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,497
Location
Port St. Lucie
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
this is mine and it ain't Ghetto, at least I dont think so
20210803_201500_HDR.jpg
 

LuizW13

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 6, 2017
Messages
907
Reaction score
918
Location
DFW
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yea...screw that. Like others said, a 5g food-grade bucket works great. No one is even going to pay attention to it.
 

LeftyReefer

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
2,535
Reaction score
2,821
Location
Saginaw
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I use a Pet Food storage container called a Vittles Vault for ATO container. Holds 50# of dryfood, or about 13 gallons of liquid (RODI water). It has a 14" square footprint.
It has a big screw on top (gamma seal lid) that makes filling and installing a pump easy. 100% food grade plastic (BPA and BPS free)
I've checked TDS in the container and even sent the water out for an ICP RODI test and it all came back clear.
Been using it for about a year now with no issues. Cost me $40 at petco.
 

coralfishreef

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 30, 2021
Messages
448
Reaction score
1,302
Location
MA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’d like a matching acrylic ATO container, but the pet food container doesn’t look bad, has been working without any issues for almost 4 years, and only cost $10.
 

KStatefan

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 24, 2015
Messages
4,080
Reaction score
3,962
Location
MHK
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Anyone know why the price of just a small 5 gal ATO storage tank is so frikin high? $200+ for a 5 gal? really? $300+ for 10 gal???
WHY???
I know they are made from acrylic but is that material really that expensive or what??

There is more then just acrylic to build one, CNC router to cut the material, laser to etch the markings on it, custom sized to fit your stand, custom colors if you want them.

You can purchase standard size ATO acrylic container for less then you stated.

I used a 13 gallon dog food container in a closet.
 
OP
OP
BanZI29

BanZI29

Still just a reefer noob!
View Badges
Joined
Oct 26, 2020
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,497
Location
Port St. Lucie
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
There is more then just acrylic to build one, CNC router to cut the material, laser to etch the markings on it, custom sized to fit your stand, custom colors if you want them.

You can purchase standard size ATO acrylic container for less then you stated.
that is somewhat true. I just found an ATO tank on BRS for about $110, but still. over $100 to me, just seems way high. I guess I'm a Cheap **** huh :)
 

MichaelReefer

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 13, 2019
Messages
2,606
Reaction score
2,728
Location
Roseville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Maybe most do but, not everyone. I simply do not have the space to hide it.

IMG_5348.jpg

I'm in the same boat, I have no room in my stand so I got a nice acrylic one. to put on the side. Not to mention my lady didn't want a home depot bucket in the corner of the house lol.
 
Last edited:

Devaji

5000 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 27, 2016
Messages
7,155
Reaction score
6,685
Location
Jackson Hole, WY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
crazy right. but each to the own. I have been using dallor per gallon tanks for my ATO res for years go chep lid is 1/4" plate glass with the corner cut off for the tubing.

my nano is using a 10 gal and my reef is using a 29H. but will be moving to a 50 gallon barrel if I even get my mixing and AWC station built.

in a pinch you got an extra tank too if you need it.
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 40 48.2%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 43 51.8%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 18 21.7%
  • None.

    Votes: 22 26.5%
  • Other.

    Votes: 8 9.6%

New Posts

Back
Top