Odd condensation all of a sudden..need help

[southerntnreefer]

Do acrylic sumps sweat? Photo below of my sump area. Tanks running about 78 to 79. Tanks been up for 5 weeks and no issues. Went to turn the skimmer on, and I'm noticing some water on the bottom of my stand by the sump. Tank does have full canopy of that at all matters. That has air vents on top and back


Sump is a pro clear 110. 300 watt titatium heater to heat the tank. Is this too much? House is kept at 72 in the summer and 68 in the winter. I did a test, propped open the door and turned off skimmer last night. No additional water on stand this morning that I wiped up before bed last night. I'm still getting 10 or so days depending on conditions for RODI resivor and Salinity is 1.025. no salt creep either. I need to get my skimmer back on to dial in. Stands open back, but clearly somethings up. I do t want to increase my evaporation if I can fix it another way. Anyone else deal with something like this? What should I do?

 

[TriggerFinger]

Sounds like your skimmer is overflowing/splashing. Leave the cabinet open, turn the skimmer back on and observe.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Sounds like your skimmer is overflowing/splashing. Leave the cabinet open, turn the skimmer back on and observe.

The water didn't taste salty.... (Yea I tasted it) as the first thing we think of is leak...

 

[southerntnreefer]

Sounds like your skimmer is overflowing/splashing. Leave the cabinet open, turn the skimmer back on and observe.

I'm doing this now for a test. I need to start dialing in the skimmer, but it's the only thing that came online. Other than colder temps outside, and running the heat one night.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I don’t think 10 degrees is enough to cause your sump to sweat so much that it leaves noticeable water puddles. For reference; I have a 90g tank, 20g sump and another 20g tank in my 67 degree basement and my tanks are running at 78 and I don’t have any condensation anywhere.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Looking at your pics again, it looks like your skimmer might be in too deep of water, which can definitely cause overflow/splashing. You might need to raise it a bit if you can’t get it dialed in where it’s at.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I don’t think 10 degrees is enough to cause your sump to sweat so much that it leaves noticeable water puddles. For reference; I have a 90g tank, 20g sump and another 20g tank in my 67 degree basement and my tanks are running at 78 and I don’t have any condensation anywhere.

I'm just trying to think about all factors. I wasn't sure if a 300 watt heater was maybe too big and causing it to then sweat

 

[southerntnreefer]

Looking at your pics again, it looks like your skimmer might be in too deep of water, which can definitely cause overflow/splashing. You might need to raise it a bit if you can’t get it dialed in where it’s at.

The stand it's on puts it at 7 inches of water. That was in bubble magnus reccomendations

 

[Garf]

Condensation inside your skimmer cup would indicate a cold drought getting in to cabinet, so as the sump walls cool it would also condense moist skimmer exhaust.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Condensation inside your skimmer cup would indicate a cold drought getting in to cabinet, so as the sump walls cool it would also condense moist skimmer exhaust.

Would tht then cause say the bottom panel that is touching the stand to condense then? That's the place I'm seeing it. If I move the sump a little, water comes out, like it was building up. Mostly around the chamber where the heater is. It recently started the last few days. House was 72 last night. I tested the ato pump and don't see any line issues there, but may replace the airline for good measure. Not sure where it's coming from all of a sudden.... Bit I'd like to fix it so there's not water popping up

 

[Garf]

Would tht then cause say the bottom panel that is touching the stand to condense then? That's the place I'm seeing it. If I move the sump a little, water comes out, like it was building up. Mostly around the chamber where the heater is. It recently started the last few days. House was 72 last night. I tested the ato pump and don't see any line issues there, but may replace the airline for good measure. Not sure where it's coming from all of a sudden.... Bit I'd like to fix it so there's not water popping up

Stick a clear plastic bag over the skimmer cup, so that any condensate drips back into your sump. Worth a shot.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Stick a clear plastic bag over the skimmer cup, so that any condensate drips back into your sump. Worth a shot.

Bit that's not where I'm seeing the water show up... Yes I do see condensation on it, but I'm seeing it along where the sump touches the stand, but I'm not seeing any salt creep, and no extra usage of rodi etc. I even checked the rodi line to make sure that wasn't leaking and going under the sump and it doesn't seem to be... I'm just not sure what's happening... So I'm trying to think of everything.

 

[Garf]

Bit that's not where I'm seeing the water show up... Yes I do see condensation on it, but I'm seeing it along where the sump touches the stand, but I'm not seeing any salt creep, and no extra usage of rodi etc. I even checked the rodi line to make sure that wasn't leaking and going under the sump and it doesn't seem to be... I'm just not sure what's happening... So I'm trying to think of everything.

Cabinet could be filling up with moist skimmer exhaust air. It can condense on anything that’s cool enough.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Cabinet could be filling up with moist skimmer exhaust air. It can condense on anything that’s cool enough.

That's what I was thinking... Was the only 2 changes I've made since the tank went up, is last weekend I changed out my ato pump to something smaller when I changed out my tank controller to my new apex, that was last Thurs I believe, and then I turned the skimmer on on like Tuesday as I had first fish being delivered and let it break in. Theni started seeing it along the sump walla where it meets the floor of stand . The stand sits on the waterproof vinyl flooring that does always feel colder than the room. I don't suspect a leak outside of rodi pump or the resivor, but it was fine until I started beaking in the skimmer. First with cup off now with cup on... Also to note the heater is on with the skimmer, and temp probe is in the overflow.

 

[Bryknicks]

I don't see condensation at all around the sump or surrounding components. I would think there is a small leak from "something" and that is just a low point within the stand that its collecting. Just have to trace it to the source. I see its tight quarters. I would start by removing the ato container and moving right until you find it.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Cabinet could be filling up with moist skimmer exhaust air. It can condense on anything that’s cool enough.

Another thing that weirded me out. I kicked on the feed mode, which in all the skimmer is off for 15 mins. I saw some water, tasted it, wasn't salty, checked some normal areas, and didn't see anything. So I shut the skimmer off, and went to bed. Woke up and where I had wiped before bed was not wet again. To me had it been a leak, I would of saw it return. I've got the door by the skimmer on the stand wife open as I just started to dial it on to get it to actually skim something. I just don't want this to compromise the stand, and or destroy the wife's new floors. So while I just have clowns, it's time to fix it.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I don't see condensation at all around the sump or surrounding components. I would think there is a small leak from "something" and that is just a low point within the stand that its collecting. Just have to trace it to the source. I see its tight quarters. I would start by removing the ato container and moving right until you find it.

That was the only other change was the rodi pump in the rodi container. I filled it last night I am really careful when I do so to prevent any spilling.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I don't see condensation at all around the sump or surrounding components. I would think there is a small leak from "something" and that is just a low point within the stand that its collecting. Just have to trace it to the source. I see its tight quarters. I would start by removing the ato container and moving right until you find it.

This thought would explain why I dont see it under my ato container or under my dosing containers or cheato reactor.

 

[Bryknicks]

That was the only other change was the rodi pump in the rodi container. I filled it last night I am really careful when I do so to prevent any spilling.

Turn on pumps one by one and run your hand along all plumbing and connection points. There clearly is something going on and although minimal now, like you said, better off getting to it now before it gives more problems with the stand/new floors. I personally would be removing the external ato, doser, and reactor to rule them about before looking elsewhere.

 

[Daddy-o]

Cold floor could be causing condensation?