evaporation question

[orbit]

hi

how can i tell if the pump is returning the water too fast or the water is evaporating?

heres what im talking about


so i filled the water up to the first level around 4pm today, and now its about 10 pm, and its half gone

thats the only area in the sump that gets low in water, so my guess is its evaporation, but i could be wrong

the first level is my water level, and the second level is tells me where is the min water level

if its evaporation, can i build my own auto top off system?what do i need?

 

[Phyxius]

I would say its from evaporation since its showing up in the pump area where it will be first noticeable. Thats where I keep my sensor for my ATO so it will refill on first signs of water level drop. Once a level has been set the pump should keep the water flow pretty stable within your lines(before evaporation). A sudden drop would mean the water isn't returning the sump at the same rate it was going out to the tank and means a restriction possibly somewhere or worse a leak

I have Tunze osmolators for my top offs but there are a bunch who have built their own. I`m pretty sure someone will chime in with the parts and places to set you in the right direction.

 

[bertoni]

I don't see any signs of loss via splashing, etc, so the setup looks fine to me. I'd guess evaporation. I'd just watch the SG and work from there.

 

[SimilanRocks]

It's evaporation. The level is lost only at the lowest water level in the system. Looks like you lost about a gallon.

The level change by return pump is usually stable in a few minutes.

I use JBJ water top off system. One of the best upgrade I did in this hobby.