Where is all my water going?

[zelie_dad]

I am in the process of cycling my tank, day 2 or 3. Since I've setup my system, I've noticed that the water level in the return section of my sump keeps dropping. I don't have an ATO yet, so I've been adding ro/di water to the sump to the level I like, but I'm adding sometimes over a gallon of water per day. Does that sound right? I checked my plumbing, and I don't have any water leaks, so I'm guessing it evaporation. This is my first tank, so maybe it's normal.

 

[sde1500]

Yes, evaporation. Totally normal. Bigger tanks lose more than smaller, not sure what tank size you have. I typically add close to 1 gallon a day on my tank.

 

[homer1475]

In my biocube I can use a 5 gallon jug for evap and change once a week. In my 80 rimless with no top and sump, I'm evaporating a gallon to two gallons a day.

Totally normal.

 

[zelie_dad]

40b/40b setup

I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

 

[homer1475]

Now you know why ATO's are so popular. :thumbsup:

 

[zelie_dad]

Now you know why ATO's are so popular. :thumbsup:

I'm going to buy a tunze this weekend

 

[fishgate]

I'm going to buy a tunze this weekend

Get the JBJ instead. Under 1/2 the cost and more reliable.

 

[MidwesternTexan]

I'm going to buy a tunze this weekend

You can design/build one for next to nothing.

If you can use gravity like I do,
you can DIY an ATO that:

Uses no electricity at all- mo batteries, etc.
Uses no pumps, no sensors
And- keeps the resevoir filled to where you want it automatically-
without ever having to refill it!
And, it's never failed me in over 3 years, whith zero maintenance.

Or, you can spent money and buy a system that inherently has so many points of potential failure- and many of them will fail on you.

 

[homer1475]

I won't comment on the JBJ since I don't own one, but how can you say more reliable when the Tunze has been out for years and is tried, tested, and true for years, and is the most popular ATO on the market?

The JBJ model only came out a couple years ago(2011), the tunze has been on the market for over 30 years(1985).

Price points aside(the JBJ is obviously cheaper), what makes you say its more reliable?

 

[zelie_dad]

You can design/build one for next to nothing.

If you can use gravity like I do,
you can DIY an ATO that:

Uses no electricity at all- mo batteries, etc.
Uses no pumps, no sensors
And- keeps the resevoir filled to where you want it automatically-
without ever having to refill it!
And, it's never failed me in over 3 years, whith zero maintenance.

Or, you can spent money and buy a system that inherently has so many points of potential failure- and many of them will fail on you.

Could you explain a little more about your DIY ATO?

 

[zelie_dad]

Get the JBJ instead. Under 1/2 the cost and more reliable.

Don't you have to buy a pump as well?

 

[homer1475]

If you have the room to have a bucket above your tank or sump, this is a good DIY project that requires no electricity. Most people don't have the room and opt for an electrical pump, and "brain box" to control the pump.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1845917

 

[civics14]

wait until you have fish, they start drinking the water and you end up having to battle evaporation and the fish drinking up all the water... ;p

 

[zelie_dad]

If you have the room to have a bucket above your tank or sump, this is a good DIY project that requires no electricity. Most people don't have the room and opt for an electrical pump, and "brain box" to control the pump.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1845917

Interesting idea, I could do something, since my sump is in the basement.

 

[MondoBongo]

my ato reservoir typically holds about 25 gallons when it's brimmed.

it needs filled once every 7 - 10 days.

granted i have a 35 cube tied to a 160 oceanic through a 30 long sump, so i am experiencing more evaporation, but even when i had my 75 i was using give or take 2 gallons a day, depending on weather conditions and general heat/humidity.

 

[username in use]

Interesting idea, I could do something, since my sump is in the basement.

Get rid of that foam

 

[zelie_dad]

Get rid of that foam

why?

 

[GimpyFin]

Foam should not be used under rimmed glass tanks as the tank is supported by the plastic frame.

 

[zelie_dad]

Foam should not be used under rimmed glass tanks as the tank is supported by the plastic frame.

I still don't follow. The frame is sitting on the foam, I don't see a difference between it sitting on plywood vs. sitting on foam sitting on plywood.

 

[MondoBongo]

because foam crushes, and as such the edges of the tank where the weight is transferred can cut in to the foam, causing it to sink, and place uneven pressure on the glass bottom, which could cause it to shatter.

or potentially causing it to sit unevenly, placing uneven pressure on other panes.