topping off water
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Unless the humiditiy of the room is 100%, water is going to evaporate.
You're toping off with just plain RODI or distilled water, yes? (not saltwater)
You're toping off with just plain RODI or distilled water, yes? (not saltwater)
I go through 2-2.5 gallons a week in my 16G bowfront and 7-10 gallons in my 100G and it was worse before I switched to LED lights and got rid of all the fans and chiller.
The evaporation battle
What are everyone's thoughts on semi air tight covers on the tank to keep evaporation down? The plexy tops I made are not 100% air tight so I still get evaporation, but the water condenses on the plexy and most of it just drips back into the tank. Is this a safe method even on larger tanks?
What are everyone's thoughts on semi air tight covers on the tank to keep evaporation down? The plexy tops I made are not 100% air tight so I still get evaporation, but the water condenses on the plexy and most of it just drips back into the tank. Is this a safe method even on larger tanks?
Evaporation is a good thing really. Glass tops hinder oxygen transfer and gas exchage at the surface, seal in heat and reduce the amount of light available so I wouldn't have one. Its easy to keep up with evaporation using an ATO and some RO/DI water.
The chemical changes that happen at the top of the tank and the sump are really important. I personally would not suggest any cover unless you have cats and even then just the grid plastic that you see in the stores since its just a protection factor. I think they are called "louvers" at home depot.
And yes always top off with RO/DI.I remember when I first started I was topping off with salt water from my LFS and wondered why my salinity skyrocketed lol the water evaporated but not the salt.. hahaha that was an epic rookie mistake, now I top off with my RO/DI and its all good to go. And as everyone has said larger tanks do lose water faster, my 125 goes through 5+ gallons a week easily.
eliramos
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i loose about a gallon a day on my biocube but im running an open top and fan cuz of my halides! definitly invest in an ato!
the less little things to worry about the better!
the less little things to worry about the better!
