Water evaporation in DT vs sump

[Eldin]

Hey everyone, not sure if this is the right place for this question, but here it is. And ive searched through the forums and have not been able to find the info i was looking for. So my question is in regards to evaporation in the DT vs sump. Ive marked my sump and it maintains that line as long as my display is being topped off. So is it normal for a display to evaporate instead of the sump? Tank info is a 75gal DT, 40gal sump, running the diy overflow down to sump.

 

[theMeat]

It’s all connected. Whether you top off in tank or sump no matter. If you stop topping off you should see the final chamber in sump, where return pump is, go down

 

[naterealbig]

Hey Eldin,

It does not matter whether you top-off in the display or in the sump, as the two bodies of water are connected, and both are evoporating.

In almost all instances, the display level will stay constant, and the sump level will fluctuate as water is added or removed from the system (through evaporation or otherwise). You can test this by stopping the top-off. After a day or so, you will note that your sump water level has decreased. This phenomenon is true whether you add (or remove) the top-off water to the sump or the main display.

I hope this helps.

 

[Eldin]

Hey Eldin,

It does not matter whether you top-off in the display or in the sump, as the two bodies of water are connected, and both are evoporating.

In almost all instances, the display level will stay constant, and the sump level will fluctuate as water is added or removed from the system (through evaporation or otherwise). You can test this by stopping the top-off. After a day or so, you will note that your sump water level has decreased. This phenomenon is true whether you add (or remove) the top-off water to the sump or the main display.

I hope this helps.

Yes absolutely, and as you said if I stop the top off return pump chamber does drop. I just wanyed reassurance that the evaporation in the DT instead of sump was ok

 

[theMeat]

Yes absolutely, and as you said if I stop the top off return pump chamber does drop. I just wanyed reassurance that the evaporation in the DT instead of sump was ok

Evap is happening in both display and sump.

 

[naterealbig]

Yes absolutely, and as you said if I stop the top off return pump chamber does drop. I just wanyed reassurance that the evaporation in the DT instead of sump was ok

Yes, it is OK. And, like @theMeat mentioned - it is happening in both places.

 

[Eldin]

Evap is happening in both display and sump.

How am i not seeing evaporation happen in the sump? Only time my sump level goes down is if water level in my DT is lower

 

[theMeat]

How am i not seeing evaporation happen in the sump? Only time my sump level goes down is if water level in my DT is lower

Sorry but this is not making sense. Display level should remain the same. Sump level should go down.
Post some pics of overflow and sump please

 

[Eldin]

My display level goes down, sump level stays same. Will post pics once i get home from work

 

[Eldin]

Sorry but this is not making sense. Display level should remain the same. Sump level should go down.
Post some pics of overflow and sump please

Im using the diy pvc over flow, 3/4 pvc. Will post pics once i get off work

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Yes, pictures will clear this up. the statement evaporation in my display tank is confusing. It sounds like as water evaporates from you "entire" system you're seeing the level drop in your display tank and "not" in your sump. Which is confusing most because the way our tanks are set up, we rely on the return pump to supply water to to the main display and because the water fills up to the point of overflowing through your "overflow" gravity takes it back down to the sump. Through a series of baffles in the display and sump the only place you would see the change in total water volume in the form of evaporation is in the section your return pump sits. The only way what you describe would make sense is that your sump is not in the traditional place (under the display) and it's above the display or your return pump is not consistently maintaining a steady stream. Perhaps you have a return pump that has closed loop settings that change flow rates throughout the day, the changing rate of flow would alter level in you display. Or maybe your overflow isn't set up correctly and your having a flushing event every time the the tank level fills up and then dumps down into the sump changing the display tank level. but you would also see that in your return section as well. While you provide us pictures, let us know what return pump you are using as well.

Also include how often you see the level rise and fall in the display, is it over the course of a few days? a few hours?...

 

[Sdot]

Sorry but this is not making sense. Display level should remain the same. Sump level should go down.
Post some pics of overflow and sump please

I agree with @theMeat. Question, you do have an overflow box on your display correct? The weir on the overflow box maintains the same level in your aquarium just like every compartment on your sump other than the return chamber. Any drop in water level would be represented in the return section of your sump.....or at least it should.

 

[sde1500]

Yes absolutely, and as you said if I stop the top off return pump chamber does drop. I just wanyed reassurance that the evaporation in the DT instead of sump was ok

My display level goes down, sump level stays same. Will post pics once i get home from work

These quotes of yours directly contradict each other. I think possibly a less confusing way to say it would be “seeing the effects of evaporation in the DT not sump”, but that still doesn’t make sense with how typical setups are.

 

[Eldin]

No over flow box, . Using that style overflow. Water level in Display changes roughly every 3 days and by that i mean if the top off is turned off my display volume will drop. However the water volume only drops in my sump if my display is low. Im guessing thats due to the amount of water going through the overflow is being less.

 

[ianryd]

I would guess that your return pump is struggling to keep up with the amount of water draining from the tank to the sump. Can you adjust the flow of the pump or the overflow? Either turn the pump up or turn the overflow down and see if that makes a difference.

 

[Eldin]

These quotes of yours directly contradict each other. I think possibly a less confusing way to say it would be “seeing the effects of evaporation in the DT not sump”, but that still doesn’t make sense with how typical setups are.

Apologies, ill try to clear it up. With the time frame that the tank has been running ive never experienced my sump water level lower than normal unless i was to allow my display water level to drop. If that makes any sense lol. The return pump is a jebao 5000.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Ok, there's no good way to put it, except that idea is antiquated and because air can get trapped inside the tube that travels over the top of the tank it's going to cause ALL kinds of problems!!! The reason why you're seeing the flow rise and fall is because the tank volume has to increase to overcome the air that is trapped inside that tube. I would advise abandoning that idea and go with a more trusted, tried and trued method. you're going to have nothing but bad luck with that set up!!!

 

[W1ngz]

This will depend on the strength of the pump and how much head pressure you have. If the pump is working too hard, and the water level in the return section drops too low, the small change in water level over the pump will have an effect on the flow rate up to the tank.

The water level dropping is slowing the return rate of the pump more than is normal in this case, making the water level in the display drop lower.

Evaporation doesn't happen separately from both ends. It's one inter connected system.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

This is 10 year old technology, and the fix back then is what is suggested at 4:30 in the video. if you decide that you want to stick with this idea. then I advise you to get a couple aqua lifters (because they have problems as well) to fix the problem

 

[Eldin]

I apreciate everyones help and input. At the time of tank setup my only option was the cheaper route. I had intended on drilling the tank but unfortunately the entire tank is tempered. Would just going with a traditional overflow box provide a more consistent water level