Turning return pump off while cycling

[Kraig]

So I just started cycling my tank last weekend. No fish or corals, just some live and dry rock. I didn't think about the fact that I will be out of town for a day and a half or so.

I don't quite know how much evaporation I'm getting each day and I'm a little concerned I could get enough evaporation that it goes below my return pump in the sump before I get back.

Is there any issues with turning off the return pump in the sump while I'm gone for a little less than 2 day? I will still have powerheads running in the tank.

Might be a silly question, and I don't think it will hurt, but thought I'd ask.

Thanks.

 

[Auquanut]

I would say to add just a little more RO to the system before you leave if you're worried about your return running dry. A little lower SG in the system while it's cycling isn't going to hurt anything in my opinion, but I think you will definitely want the flow through the sump.

In all honesty, if the return section can run dry in less than two days, you should seriously consider an auto-top off system. You just never know when circumstances may force you to forget to top off even in the best of times.

 

[selevanm]

I live in Wisconsin where the houses are pretty sealed up and its very dry in the house with the furnace starting to run. I have a 75 gal tank and average about 1 gal/day of evaporation. I put a mark on my sump where I want to keep the water line for where I have the skimmer dialed in so I can tell when it drops in the sump and how much evaporated. I think it depends on how much humidity you already have in the air will definitely impact the evaporation, its about 45% in the combined living room/kitchen where the tank is. Like @Auquanut said though you could add a couple extra gallons or RO before you go.

 

[Idoc]

I agree with @Auquanut -- an ATO would help tremendously. And, I would just add extra RODI water to the system prior to leaving.

I have a 75g system and evaporate off about 1 to 1.5 gallons per day.

Turning off the return pump for a couple of days may not have a big impact on a new system cycling, but the heater would need to be moved to the display or else the tank temp may decrease drastically...which would probably only slow your cycle time since you don't have any fish or corals to impact. But again, you do have live rock in there...so the temp changes could impact that life.

 

[Kraig]

I agree with @Auquanut -- an ATO would help tremendously. And, I would just add extra RODI water to the system prior to leaving.

I have a 75g system and evaporate off about 1 to 1.5 gallons per day.

Turning off the return pump for a couple of days may not have a big impact on a new system cycling, but the heater would need to be moved to the display or else the tank temp may decrease drastically...which would probably only slow your cycle time since you don't have any fish or corals to impact. But again, you do have live rock in there...so the temp changes could impact that life.

Thanks for the reply. I ended up just adding extra RODI and I was good. I had a little leeway, but an ATO is on the list!