Tank evaporation

PokeFish · Mar 1, 2021

How much would a 42 gallon tank with an 11 gallon sump evaporate every day? I got the red sea reefer 200. I am planning to put one of those nets over the tank, but I don't think that would help with evaporation.

Rubberfrog · Mar 1, 2021

The net wont help for evaporation, but its great for light transmission and oxygen exchange. As far as evaporation rates, only someone with the same tank living in the same general climate as you could answer that. Even what temp you keep the house at and how often the door is open effects evap rates. Probably a gallonish per day. An ATO is great for solving this problem.

PokeFish · Mar 1, 2021

Rubberfrog said:
The net wont help for evaporation, but its great for light transmission and oxygen exchange. As far as evaporation rates, only someone with the same tank living in the same general climate as you could answer that. Even what temp you keep the house at and how often the door is open effects evap rates. Probably a gallonish per day. An ATO is great for solving this problem.

I live in california. The house temp is around 68 degrees and the windows/door isn't open often unless we are getting a package or something.

PokeFish · Mar 1, 2021

Does water level affect evaporation?

Rubberfrog · Mar 1, 2021

PokeFish said:
I live in california. The house temp is around 68 degrees and the windows/door isn't open often unless we are getting a package or something.

There is a lot more humidity there than what I experience here in the desert. I run through minimum 15 gallons a week on my 160 gallon system. A five gallon bucket with a Tunze 5017 would probably last an entire week for you.

PeterC99 · Mar 1, 2021

PokeFish said:
How much would a 42 gallon tank with an 11 gallon sump evaporate every day? I got the red sea reefer 200. I am planning to put one of those nets over the tank, but I don't think that would help with evaporation.

Picture of my RSR 170 with slimline advanced Acrylic 4 gallon automatic ATO. Simplifies replacing water due to evaporation.

Rubberfrog · Mar 1, 2021

PokeFish said:
Does water level affect evaporation?

No, but surface agitation does, and I wouldn't minimize that to prevent evap. The gas exchange is more important.

reefer024 · Mar 1, 2021

PokeFish said:
I live in california. The house temp is around 68 degrees and the windows/door isn't open often unless we are getting a package or something.

Your really only going to get guesses from people as many factors matter. I'd say around a gallon though. Why are you worried about evaporation so much?

mdb_talon · Mar 1, 2021

Temp is less important than ambient humidity. The more humid your air the less evap generally speaking. The more surface area the more evap. The more airflow over surface area the more evap.

The net is a good idea for tank, but if you are worried about evap you can possibly cover portions of the sump to minimize.

PokeFish · Mar 1, 2021

Rubberfrog said:
There is a lot more humidity there than what I experience here in the desert. I run through minimum 15 gallons a week on my 160 gallon system. A five gallon bucket with a Tunze 5017 would probably last an entire week for you.

i have no ato

PokeFish · Mar 1, 2021

reefer024 said:
Your really only going to get guesses form people as many factors matter. I'd say around a gallon though. Why are you worried about evaporation so much?

uhh i just dont want to run out of freshwater since I get rodi water from my lfs and its closed monday-wensday

PeterC99 · Mar 1, 2021

PeterC99 said:
Picture of my RSR 170 with slimline advanced Acrylic 4 gallon automatic ATO. Simplifies replacing water due to evaporation.

My RSR 170 would lose about 1/2 gallon a day due to evaporation. Only a matter of time before you get tiered of manually refilling. ATO solves this.

Rubberfrog · Mar 1, 2021

PokeFish said:
i have no ato

This one is worth saving up for-
Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 - Bulk Reef Supply

Arabyps · Mar 1, 2021

Dew point is the primary determination on the rate of evaporation. Low dew point, (i.e. less than 30 degrees) results in high evaporation. Dew point greater than 55 almost no evaporation. Here in the desert we lose gallons a day. In your case, probably not so much.

reefer024 · Mar 1, 2021

PokeFish said:
uhh i just dont want to run out of freshwater since I get rodi water from my lfs and its closed monday-wensday

To solve that, just get a 5 gallon water container and use it throughout the week.

PokeFish · Mar 1, 2021

thanks everyone

shootingstar_reef · Mar 1, 2021

I live in southern california, indoor conditions are actually similar to yours. My 45gal system goes through 4 gallons-ish a week; recently it's been a bit more. But I still have an ATO, which I refill a couple times a week.