Evaporation rate - TOO FAST! Help!

[MayoKetchup]

Hey all,

I'm not sure why yet.... but I have a very VERY high evaporation rate. I literally have a gallon water loss EVERY DAY.

This can't be normal. Experience/Advice anyone?

Even overnite, I look at my sump, and there's like a good half gallon missing.

I have my HQI on only 2 hours a day, with 1 ICECAP fan....usually at low speed nearly all the time.... (it's winter)... 60(ish)G - tank. 30G - Sump.

So how come?

Thanks,
MK.

 

[Natterjak]

I think that's pretty normal - I used to evap. 1-2 gallons from my 70g every day, and my 180g has so far been evaporating 2-3g a day.

 

[650-IS350]

I believe the fan helps out with evaperation. the more your air/fan it the more water evaporates....

 

[arthurlo]

As Natterjak stated, 1 gallon a day from a 90g system is normal.

Also keep in mind that evaporation depends on a couple of factors - how much surface agitation you have, the difference in the water temp vs the air temp, and the fact that the air is less humid in winter.

Hope that reassures you.

 

[jdieck]

If you do not have temperature issues you can cover your sump and tank.

 

[sfsuphysics]

The real issue is imagining where that gallon of water goes every day! If you've ever spilt a glass of water on the counter (8oz) you know that's a pretty big mess, now imagine doing that 16 more times!

 

[stubbsz]

Evaporation is good, it allows me to dose Kalk for the make up water.

 

[Patio]

arthurlo said it
winter you run your heater and it drys the air out. it still seems normal rate.

 

[Qwiv]

I lose 4 gal a day, don't be scarred. Get an auto top off set up as soon as you can.

 

[chicken]

I would be scared. Evaporation needs to be minimized. For every gallon of water evaporated, it takes about 2.4 Kilowatts of energy to heat the tank. I know I am paying an average of $0.31 per Kw/h right now. So 2.4 x .31 x 30 days = $22.32 in heating costs to just cover evaporation of 1 gallon a day. If you don't have a heating issue due to lighting, pumps, etc it is not a big deal power wise but be cautious of mold and other humidity related issues in the house. 1 gallon of water a day in a medium size house is not a problem but 1 gallon a day in a 1 bedroom apartment would not be a good thing. Just my 2 cents

 

[Kinetic]

I was getting about 5 gallons of evap a week from my 32g =/ with my ATO system, it never bothered me =/

 

[chicken]

When I say I would be scared I mean for my PG&E bill. I almost have a heart attack as it is everytime I get the !$%&ing thing. My goal now is to minimize evaporation where ever possible as it is one of the main causes of heat loss from a tank.

During the summer it is a good thing. 1 gallon of water evaporating a day is equal to a 1/4 HP chiller running at about 40-50% duty cycle.

 

[Qwiv]

I don't think the heater has ever turned on in my tank

 

[Elite]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9030081#post9030081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Qwiv
I don't think the heater has ever turned on in my tank

Not even at this time of the year?? I don't let the temp in my house drop below 67 and the heater still kick in at night.

 

[chicken]

Qwiv, What sort of lights are you running on the tank and how long? 4 Gallons is a lot of heat loss a day especially during the winter.

 

[tuberider]

I'm with Qwiv I loose a gallon a day out of a 60 gal system, and had to upload solitare into my heater to keep it from getting too bored.

 

[dots]

I bet if you ran a humidifier or two in the house during the winter, it may offset it.......but it may take more energy to do this rather than the tank to it for you. but the dry air will suck it out unless its a sealed system.

Get an auto top off and call it good. I like having to add water everyday, thats when I inspect everything and make sure its all good.

I added an auto doser for the two part and havn't checked the Alk in weeks......automation makes one lazy, it keeps me vigil on my husbandry not to be gagety.

Gallon a day is fine, since its a 60 I wouldn't go longer than daily cuz the alk or sg could shift on you......learned that the hard way when first getting into SPS, 5gal of top off in a 75g sure shifts it quick.......learned really fast what RTN was.

 

[dodgersfan25]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9030766#post9030766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tuberider
I'm with Qwiv I loose a gallon a day out of a 60 gal system, and had to upload solitare into my heater to keep it from getting too bored.

hahaha

 

[UCanDoIt]

Get a auto topoff unit and you won't be scared. Mine evaporates about 4-5gals per week on a 75g reef, but I don't use any fans in the winter.