Evaporation

Jlfjcf · Jan 21, 2014

I was wondering if anybody else has to deal with evaporation
In there saltwater tank during the winter months my tank loses
About 4gallons every 4-5 days is there anyway to fix
It I know I can't seal the top to let the gasses exchange

Zero Nitrates · Jan 21, 2014

I get the same. An Auto top off really helps.

Jlfjcf · Jan 21, 2014

Yea I was thinking bout that thanks

Diesel · Jan 21, 2014

About 24 gallons a week.
Get a ATO, will help with you balance of your water a lot.
Your fish and corals will love you for it.

Waters · Jan 21, 2014

It has become habit for me to dump 3-4 glasses of water into the sump every morning and night.

mike007 · Jan 21, 2014

During the winter months while running heaters inside home it dries out the air and you will get more evaporation. I recently got a ato it it sure makes life alot easier.

LPSGUY · Jan 21, 2014

Several gallons a week. Get an ATO. Also you can cover your sump if you have one? That will help a little.

Intricateart · Jan 21, 2014

We lose a gallon a day.I have a water cooler bottle with air line on a drip.

Mike J. · Jan 21, 2014

My evaporation triples during the winter.

HiddenUser · Jan 21, 2014

You need an ATO. Makes life much easier.

roadrashpaul · Jan 21, 2014

My 125 loses 2-3 gallon a day. I have a float valve on order right now to get an ATO going. Should cut my maintenance down a lot.

kuyatwo · Jan 21, 2014

air is dryer inside and outside during winter months.... that is usually why some people have to apply lotion to their cracking skin during the winter

Tradewinds · Jan 21, 2014

Mike J. said:
My evaporation triples during the winter.

+1 (Same here.)

OP - Buying an ATO is the one of the best things I've bought for my tanks.

Mtwreef · Jan 21, 2014

2-3 gallons a day on my 120

rock_lobster · Jan 21, 2014

OK here was my solution and I personally think its awesome. but instead of using an ATO I have a dosing pump that I have set to add water at the same rate as evaporation plus I have calculated the calcium and carbonate required at this dosing rate. It works amazingly well and there is no risk of a "stuck" ato flooding your tank and killing everything and your house. If you want more info send me a PM and Ill be glad to give you some tips.

nekkidrobert · Jan 21, 2014

I go throw 10 gallons In about 7 days In my 75 gallon tank . I love my autotop off makes It so much easier then having to fill It everyday.

Opus · Jan 21, 2014

rock_lobster said:
OK here was my solution and I personally think its awesome. but instead of using an ATO I have a dosing pump that I have set to add water at the same rate as evaporation plus I have calculated the calcium and carbonate required at this dosing rate. It works amazingly well and there is no risk of a "stuck" ato flooding your tank and killing everything and your house. If you want more info send me a PM and Ill be glad to give you some tips.

Can't a dosing pump stick also? Then you can overdose your calcium and corbonate. My ato has an emergency float switch so if the ato sticks in the on position then it will cut it off. I think it may also have a timer that will turn the ato pump off if it stays on for too long.

pam0630 · Jan 21, 2014

i had an ATO before on my 55 gallon, went on vacation and tube came out of the ATO and flooded my tank with fresh water...killed most of my corals...gave my fish a nice fresh water bath..they made it fine, thank goodness...
so now i just dump about 1/2 gallon of water in every morning and about another 1/2 before bedtime..its just easier for me......

saltyhog · Jan 21, 2014

Watch very closely as your evaporation rate can change with the humidity/weather. The dosing pump might be an ok short term solution but for stability and safety a good ATO is worth every penny. The one piece of equipment I would not do with out.

I agree with the others. Where I live my evaporation more than doubles during the winter. Sitting here looking at my wireless weather station and the humidity is 38% outside and 27% inside. In the summer it's more like 75-80% outside and 50% inside.