Loosing water

[ReefPrincess423]

i'm completely new to saltwater aquariums and I really need some advice. I have a 90 gallon tank with a eshopps rs 200 reef sump, eshopps pf 1000 overflow box, eshopps in sump psk 100 protein skimmer, uv sterilizer (not sure the name) and a fan. I'm loosing approximately an inch a day of water from the sump below. My floor isn't wet so I don't know where it's going!!! Can someone help me PLEASE!!!

 

[morpheas]

It's just water evaporation, completely normal. You have to top off with fresh water (not salt!). There is also what is called an ATO (auto top off) which pretty much monitors your water level and refills accordingly.

 

[morpheas]

BTW, the fan is a good idea if you're pointing it at the surface of your water (display or sump) and you're actually promoting the phenomenon you're seeing (evaporation) to cool down your tank.

 

[Brian Kim]

i'm completely new to saltwater aquariums and I really need some advice. I have a 90 gallon tank with a eshopps rs 200 reef sump, eshopps pf 1000 overflow box, eshopps in sump psk 100 protein skimmer, uv sterilizer (not sure the name) and a fan. I'm loosing approximately an inch a day of water from the sump below. My floor isn't wet so I don't know where it's going!!! Can someone help me PLEASE!!!

Reminds me of when I first set up my saltwater tank, I did the same thing, started looking for wet floor lol

 

[jsker]

Also to add to @morpheas comment use RO/DI water to top off your tank, there are many brands of ATO's. I have my sensor in the sump by the return pump and my fill in my DT. T

 

[R_C]

Great question. I just had a flashback to when I was new to the hobby and asked the same one.

 

[R_C]

It's just water evaporation, completely normal. You have to top off with fresh water (not salt!). There is also what is called an ATO (auto top off) which pretty much monitors your water level and refills accordingly.

+1

 

[ReefPrincess423]

Wow thank you guys. And I'm going to invest in a ATO

 

[ReefPrincess423]

Any brand in particular u guys recommend?

 

[Evan West]

Any brand in particular u guys recommend?

Never used it but the Tunze Osmolator is often regarded as the best one.

 

[seastar]

On a 90 you can expect it to need a couple of gallons a week. I keep this 5 gallon jug in my sump area and I have to fill it every Sunday. if you look carefully on the right corner of my sump you can see I have a "high water" and "low water" line. if my water goes any lover than the high water line my ATO kicks on and pumps in water from that jug. As others have said, this is RO/DI water, no salt in it.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Tunze osmolator.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure UPLC-II. Best on the market.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Ditch the fan too. I wouldn't be surprised if the evap is closer to a gallon a day.

 

[Steve Tobias]

I would bet with the evaporation you are chasing salinity all over the place. It is very common. I have posted in the past that I would chase my salinity due to evaporation from .023 to .029 almost daily!!! I could not get anything to stabilize. I added the Tunze 3155 system. I never see my salinity move off .024 and I fill my 5 gallon reservoir about once a week with RO and no more problems. Its just pumps fresh RO into the sump when it gets low.

 

[kyleflahardy]

Get a cover to slow evaporation but first check for leaks. Make sure to top of with water that isn't salt water as it will raise your salinity.

 

[buxton.nc]

The Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO is fairly popular.

 

[MmmmBalf]

Get a cover to slow evaporation but first check for leaks.

This is not always a good idea as it has a few cons, which is why you don't see many saltwater aquariums with covers. A cover hinders gas exchange at the water surface, although a sump will compensate for some of that loss. It will also be a bad idea if heat is a problem with the tank, as having a fan suggests it might be. A cover will build up heat and reduce cooling by evaporation. Just things to consider before opting for a cover.