rimless vs. framed h20 evaporation?

[stlcard]

im upgrading soon to a bigger tank and im wrapping up the research. Is there a considerable difference in water evaporation from a rimless and framed (with canopy) tank?

enough that merits it being on a pro/con list? Ive never owned a rimless so im looking for those who have exp to chime in.

Thanks!

 

[Reefdiver77]

I have a rimless but do not have a canopy. In the past I had the same size tank (30 gal) that was not rimless and did have canopy. I now have about twice the evaporation with the tank without the canopy. I think it has a lot to do with the canopy instead of it being rimless.

 

[jabo]

I have a 110 rimless with a 35 gallon sump. Mine likes to drink water in the winter time, I add about 6 gallons a week. In the summer it cuts down to around 4 gallons per week. I do not have a canopy and I run a 250 MH that hangs about 8 inches above the water.

Canopies are for married people who are trying to make their wives believe their reef is a beautiful piece of furniture!

 

[givinggoodwill]

Canopies will make a marked reduction in evaporation.

 

[jabo]

Will they really or do they concentrate more heat over the tank and make evaporation worse?

My rimless has considerably less than my 70 tall with a 400MH.... Could have been the light but I do know that I have zero problems with my tank temperature. I do not run a fan anywhere, not even in the sump.

 

[Reefdiver77]

The rimmed tank I had with the canopy had a 250MH retrofit in it. The new rimless has leds about 10-12 inches above the tank. I use about 8 gal a week of top off water. I do have a sump as well.

 

[stlcard]

hmm. thanks guys.

It hadnt crossed my mind that the amount of evaporation occurring also increases as total water volume(ie bigger tank) and or water surface increases, thus requiring more top off.

the first time i glanced through these posts i was alarmed some people were hitting 5+gal top off per week.... then i realized you all have bigger tanks.

My 33 has a canopy with an open back and eggcrate. I use about 5gal per 2weeks in top off. This is LED only system now.

If you were upgrading, would you go rimless or not? I love the look, but have been plagued with jumpers. I think my current tank is cursed. Ive lost about 8 fish to carpet diving since its birth.

 

[Reefdiver77]

My rimless is 30 gallon. 24x24 and only 12 inches deep. I think the jumpers many times have to do with the type of fish you have in your tank. I have 2 clowns and a blue spotted watchman goby. All get along well. I have had no jumpers from this tank. All of my fish are over 5 years old. I have heard firefish are big jumpers. I know in the freshwater world, arawanas were the big jumpers. If you have bully type fish (damsels) that chase and harass other fish, you are more likely to have jumpers.