Evaporation in back chamber only

[Cheeze]

Hi everyone! Just set up my AIO 38 gallon peninsula yesterday (pics coming once it's all ready!), and this morning woke up to see the water level in the last (3rd) back chamber was about a quart low. I'm 99% convinced this is evaporation as there were no leaks on the floor.

I have the return pump and heater in this chamber, heater was partially exposed from the evaporation. Water levels in the main tank and other two chambers were the same level, unchanged. My concern is that the evaporation only impacted the last chamber which would make any auto ATO device sensor (that I will be putting in the main tank) not detect a drop in water level. Is this normal or just part of the new tank "break in"? Or can I do anything or adjust something so the evaporation is more even throughout the whole setup vs. just impact 1 chamber?

- Heater in the last chamber is set at 76 degrees
- Return pump is stock pump (396 gph)
- 1st / inflow chamber is empty and water level was unchanged, and will be housing a filter sock
- 2nd / Middle chamber is currently empty and water level was unchanged, and will be housing a skimmer once the tank is cycled

 

[Brewski262]

That is normal. The 3rd chamber will always be the first to show change from evap due to the return pump is always sucking from there and keeping the display at a constant level.

Move your ato sensor to the 3rd chamber and you should be good.

 

[Sarcazian]

I see the same thing on my Evo 13.5 and I would say that it is normal - I see it on the first chamber instead of the 3rd.

I just keep it topped off manually until I get an ATO. Do you have any intank baskets?

 

[lapin]

The return chamber is where you need to place the ATO sensor

 

[Brewski262]

That is normal. The 3rd chamber will always be the first to show change from evap due to the return pump is always sucking from there and keeping the display at a constant level.

Move your ato sensor to the 3rd chamber and you should be good.

If you dont have an ato sensor I would suggest getting one. Will make your life way easier.

In the mean time a daily manual top off of RO water will be needed from the sound of it. Until you have an ato, I would move your heater to a different chamber so you do not damage it being out of the water from time to time.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

You can also use a dry erase marker, piece of tape or something similar to mark the water line and fill to that point. My evap on my Evo was so low that I did this for 2 months while finishing my reef-pi setup. Also +1 to no heater in chamber 3.

 

[Cheeze]

Thanks for the replies and advice!

I have an ATO ordered and on the way, an AutoAqua Smart ATO, but I thought the sensor has to be in a "clear" section of the tank...meaning not in a back chamber which is black/dark? Unless I need to return this for a different ATO.

And no intake baskets. Chambers are bare at the moment while I cycle, with the exception of the return pump and heater. And yes, will move heater in the meantime to a different chamber!!

 

[Brewski262]

Thanks for the replies and advice!

I have an ATO ordered and on the way, an AutoAqua Smart ATO, but I thought the sensor has to be in a "clear" section of the tank...meaning not in a back chamber which is black/dark? Unless I need to return this for a different ATO.

And no intake baskets. Chambers are bare at the moment while I cycle, with the exception of the return pump and heater. And yes, will move heater in the meantime to a different chamber!!

Not too sure what is required for that ATO? I have a tunze ato with an optical sensor and a secondary float sensor for redundancy. The optical sensor works fine in my 3rd chamber which is blacked out.

I would imagine that yours would be fine and a quick YouTube video or two would confirm with your model

 

[Rubberfrog]

Every one has already said it. It's perfectly normal. Keep your ato sensor in the back chamber.