Tips to decrease evaporation rate

[nbd13]

Hey everyone,

150 gallon DT, run 1 ice cap 4” fan in canopy with 3 radion G4 pros. Have 1 more ice cap 4” fan in sump. All run with Apex.

I seem to go through my 10 gallon top off tank in a matter of a few days (3-4).

I run my tank on the cooler side 76-77 originally, I raised it to 77-78 in hopes of decreasing evaporation rate with no success.

What can I do to lower the rate? Raise the temp more? Room temp is 69-70 all year around.

Sump is a Synergy and has covers for everything but where the skimmer is.

Thanks

 

[av8soulfly]

Raising the temp will only increase the evap rate. Is the display tank covered? If not, that's where all your H2O is going. If you're not going to cover the DT, you'll just have to put up with the loss of water.

 

[dwest]

Hey everyone,

150 gallon DT, run 1 ice cap 4” fan in canopy with 3 radion G4 pros. Have 1 more ice cap 4” fan in sump. All run with Apex.

I seem to go through my 10 gallon top off tank in a matter of a few days (3-4).

I run my tank on the cooler side 76-77 originally, I raised it to 77-78 in hopes of decreasing evaporation rate with no success.

What can I do to lower the rate? Raise the temp more? Room temp is 69-70 all year around.

Sump is a Synergy and has covers for everything but where the skimmer is.

Thanks

Can you stop the fan over the sump? Temperature will effect evaporation minimally in the relatively small ranges we deal with. It’s pretty typical to have about 1% evaporation from a system.

 

[nbd13]

Raising the temp will only increase the evap rate. Is the display tank covered? If not, that's where all your H2O is going. If you're not going to cover the DT, you'll just have to put up with the loss of water.

DT is not covered, I mean has a canopy, but no lid.

So decreasing it back to 76-77 would theoretically decrease the rate?

Thanks

 

[nbd13]

Can you stop the fan over the sump? Temperature will effect evaporation minimally in the relatively small ranges we deal with. It’s pretty typical to have about 1% evaporation from a system.

So 1% should be 1.5 gallons a day. I should get about 6-7 days out of the top off tank which holds 10 gallons...

I can stop fan over sump. It really just blows air in the cabinet to keep all the electronics cool. Lots of Apex gear.

 

[ccombs]

I lose about 9% a week, so you are not too far off.

 

[justmee]

Not alot of people know about this, but if your magnesium level is low, it can cause evaporation, increasing magnesium to the proper level will help with evaporation.

 

[JLowder]

Not alot of people know about this, but if your magnesium level is low, it can cause evaporation, increasing magnesium to the proper level will help with evaporation.

100% true. When I raised my mag to 1425 my evaporation substantially decreased.

 

[dwest]

So 1% should be 1.5 gallons a day. I should get about 6-7 days out of the top off tank which holds 10 gallons...

I can stop fan over sump. It really just blows air in the cabinet to keep all the electronics cool. Lots of Apex gear.

Any air movement over the surface of the water will increase evaporation. Even a powerhead creating motion on the water’s surface will increase it. In your case, I’d keep the air flowing for the electronics. You could cover surfaces of your sump if wanted.

 

[dwest]

100% true. When I raised my mag to 1425 my evaporation substantially decreased.

That’s very strange....I don’t understand that.

 

[Reef man 89]

+1

 

[justmee]

That’s very strange....I don’t understand that.

I don't understand much about chemistry also, give it a try, increasing magnesium will definitely help.

 

[lapin]

+1 cover
I burn thru 2g per day on a covered tank. 600g . The top is 60''x60" with 4ea 16"x16" cut outs. LED's

 

[Mjrenz]

Not alot of people know about this, but if your magnesium level is low, it can cause evaporation, increasing magnesium to the proper level will help with evaporation.

That's actually very interesting, I raised my magnesium level to help with overall stability and coral health to 1400 and never put 2 and 2 together when my evaporation decreased. I guess now I know why

 

[Hemmdog]

10g’s sounds about right. The main factor for me is honestly humidity outside. I notice the ato going wild on bright sunny days with close to 10-20% humidity. Reservoir lasts me about 4-5days. When it’s cloudy for days on end my 10g reservoir can last me almost 2 weeks.

 

[Westside Guy]

DT is not covered, I mean has a canopy, but no lid.

So decreasing it back to 76-77 would theoretically decrease the rate?

Thanks

If the DT is near an AC vent or a ceiling fan that will affect it also.