How Much Evaporation to Expect

[BigHildy53]

I am in the process of setting up a 180g reef tank. The tank is 6' x 2' x 2' give or take an inch. I am using a Trigger Systems Emerald 39 sump. The is no top on the aquarium. I live in Richmond Virginia and keep the house between 70 and 75. About how much evaporation should I expect. I do not have an ATO configured yet. I am adding several gallons a day.

 

[143MPCo]

Each systems "evaporation rate" will be different.

 

[coralfarm123]

My tank has the same surface area 6x2x2 and go through about 5-7 gallons per day. I have a fan that blow across the top of the water that adds to the evaporation.

 

[BigJim]

My tank is 72 x 24 x 21 and I go through about 2.5 - 3 gallons a day in the summer and about 1.5 gallons a day in the summer. I assume the dry air from my heat causes more evaporation in the winter.

 

[themcnertney]

I have a 220 with 110 sump in a fish room. When I had MH I would go through about 50 gallons per week. Now that I am running LED's I am looking at about 35-40 gallons per week.

As mentioned every tank will differ.

The change of seasons play a roll too.

 

[tj w]

My tank is 300g. 72x27x30. I go through 1.5 to 2g a day in the summer and probably 2 to 2.5g a day in the winter. There are a lot of variables in play with evaporation rates. Every tank is different. An ATO is a must with larger tanks. Makes life so much easier.

 

[BigHildy53]

Thank you for the information. It gives me peice of mind that it's in the general range being mentioned.

 

[ngvu1]

What temp are you setting the tank at? Is there a fan or chiller being used?

 

[shoelaceike]

I have a covered 180 and go through about half a gallon a day

 

[vanpire]

WOW, especially 50 gallons a week with halides. That's a lot of evaporation.

I have a 5' l x 3' w x 2' h (225 gallons). House and tank are set at 78 degrees and I have 1.5 - 2 gallons per day in the summer and 1-1.5 gallons in the winter. I use fans for cooling. In the winter, I keep my house about 74 degrees but the tank is kept at 78 degrees.

I also live in AZ where it is really dry and use 2 x 250W halides.

 

[apercele79]

I was losing about 1 gallon per day since I got the tank set up (2 years ago), but during the past couple of months it's up to 2 gallons per day. What could've changed that my evaporation level doubled?

 

[Jason mack]

I loose about 1 liter per day on my 90g

 

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

I was losing about 1 gallon per day since I got the tank set up (2 years ago), but during the past couple of months it's up to 2 gallons per day. What could've changed that my evaporation level doubled?

Your heaters are working more time than the past month?
Usually when heaters are on (in colder weather) more water gets evaporated

 

[apercele79]

Your heaters are working more time than the past month?
Usually when heaters are on (in colder weather) more water gets evaporated

OK it makes sense, I was under the impression we should lose more water in the summer when it's hotter in the room...

Thanks Dr Ernesto!!

 

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

OK it makes sense, I was under the impression we should lose more water in the summer when it's hotter in the room...

Thanks Dr Ernesto!!

Most welcome!

 

[FishGuyBri]

The relative humidity seems to alter evap too. My 90 gal is losing about 1/2 gallon a day here in Florida- covered with LEDs.

 

[lauderdalestunner]

About 5gal a week on a 90 with led lights

 

[lauderdalestunner]

Floridas humidity actually helps us. Lol

 

[drernesto Verified Sponsor]

30 liters daily for me [emoji849] tank is 1200 liters

 

[cws]

I am in the process of setting up a 180g reef tank. The tank is 6' x 2' x 2' give or take an inch. I am using a Trigger Systems Emerald 39 sump. The is no top on the aquarium. I live in Richmond Virginia and keep the house between 70 and 75. About how much evaporation should I expect. I do not have an ATO configured yet. I am adding several gallons a day.