evaporation

[Shu]

Ok my tank is going on six weeks now and was wandering why it seem that my water evaporating more. For example I put water in for the first time in 5 weeks due to evaporation. Three days later it appears that I have to put in more. Is there a reason to this as my tank matures?

[Gseclipse02]

5 weeks with out putting water must be nice... i have to top off every so many days

[Gseclipse02]

not topping off for 5 weeks would make me think your salinity would go crazy high

[Shu]

I guess it just due to weather then?

[Gseclipse02]

I guess it just due to weather then?


i think its been cooler in the last 2 weeks with all the rain ... by what your saying that would mean your water would not evap. as much

[Gseclipse02]

are your lights being left on longer? any fans been added ?

[reeferRob]

rain or shine I topoff 3-5g/day in each tank.

[Shu]

Well the only thing I added recently was a skimmer. My salinity is fine in between 1.025 and 26. I just recently started getting a rust color aglea filth on my powerhead though only place its showing up have new clue what it is maybe diatoms.

[Paul28]

yeh im about 3 to 5g a day to but also 920w of lights

[ballardjr2000]

i am putting about 1 to 2 gallons tops a day running 432w t-5's in south texas same amount even if its 110 outside or 72 outside. but i have my fans in the canopy as well as the light in the sump.

[Shu]

My tank is only 20g with t5s on it no fans

[Squiers007]

When I had my 20g setup with T5's I would have to add about 1 gallon every 3rd day or so. You said you recently added a skimmer correct? This may be where your extra water lose is coming from especially if you are wet skimming. Just a thought.

[allan]

Evaporation and skimmate... to incude the volumn of water removed by the skimmer's bubble chamber. Unless you have an unnaturaly wet carpet I wouldn't worry too much.

I replace about five gallons every three to four days myself.

[Shu]

no wet carpet so im good. Actually have stained concrete so im good. Yeah I believe its the skimmer and I just remember I just opened the air valve a little so that may be what I am seeing.

[Squiers007]

Just keep an eye on your salinity and you should be good. And if you get sick of topping off, look into setting up and automatic top off system, they are farily inexpensive and can save you some time.

[Shu]

yeah I might look into that. Do you recommend one?

[4fun]

it because we keep our water at 72-80º when its 100º outside our water is cool. but when the temperture out side is below 70º our water is warm still 72-80º. thus causing evaporation

[Squiers007]

For a 20g tank an ATO is not an essential in my opinion. Yes it can be somewhat of a pain to have to top off every 3rd day or so, but it does not take up too much time. The only other benefit to having an ATO on a small tank is that it will stabalize your salinity. If you lose a gallon of water in a 20g tank it has a much larger effect than if you lose 1 gallon on a 100g tank. So having one can save you some time and will also maintain your salinity, but in my opinion it is not essential on a tank of that size. If you are looking for one I have the JBJ ATO and it works great. All you need is a resevoir, some airline tubing, a Toms aqualifter, and your good to go. It has worked great for me on my 75g tank.

[ShAgMaN]

I know that when I put a glass top on, my water evap went way down. I think I even noticed a difference on my 150 gallon with half glass tops.

[4fun]

I lose 5 or 6 gallons a weak on my 125g when it was hot out side. Now, that the days are cooler, I lose 3 gallons a day

[allan]

Is it the actual temperature that effects the water... or the humidity? I would imagine the latter as the temperature outside has little effect to what you actually keep your house at.