Water level in sump?

[John A!10]

Why is the water level in the last chamber of my sump lowering. Whereas the first chamber stays the same? Is this due to evaporation?

 

[splitting_lanes]

The last chamber in the pump is where the water lowers from evaporation on my sump.

do you have a top off system?

 

[John A!10]

The last chamber in the pump is where the water lowers from evaporation on my sump.

do you have a top off system?

No. Will it evaporate that much? That’s like half a gallon a day. It didn’t evaporate that fast, when I didn’t have a sump.

 

[splitting_lanes]

No will it evaporate that much? That’s like half a gallon a day.

My reefer 170 (43 gallons) with an open top tank and sump evaporates almost a 1/2 gallon a day

 

[aqua_code]

do you have a sponge or filter in the sump restricting flow as it gets clogged?

 

[splitting_lanes]

No. Will it evaporate that much? That’s like half a gallon a day. It didn’t evaporate that fast, when I didn’t have a sump.

The overflow to the sump exposes the water to air, it’s great for gas exchange, not so great for evaporation.

I looked at your build thread, seems to me your evaporation is about right — you live in an area with low humidity?

if you can cover the overflow you might not evap quite as much....

 

[madweazl]

I usually lose 1/2-1g per day from evaporation depending on season.

 

[theMeat]

Yes it’s evap.

 

[John A!10]

do you have a sponge or filter in the sump restricting flow as it gets clogged?

I have a filter sock, but wouldn’t that affect the first chamber as well.

 

[John A!10]

The overflow to the sump exposes the water to air, it’s great for gas exchange, not so great for evaporation.

I looked at your build thread, seems to me your evaporation is about right — you live in an area with low humidity?

if you can cover the overflow you might not evap quite as much....

Pretty dry, but in the basement it’s relatively cold.

 

[John A!10]

So last question, that is all the water that is evaporated, should I fill it back up to the line.

 

[aqua_code]

I have a filter sock, but wouldn’t that affect the first chamber as well.

if your filter sock is clogged, could result in lower water level in the 3rd chamber. Reason being that the filter sock is restricting flow, but the pump in 3rd chamber is still going at a high rate.

I see it all the time in my tank when the filter pads are in there for awhile. Evaporation is definitely playing a part too like earlier posters were saying. The result is you may end up overfilling the ATO and going under your desired salinity. Make sure to check salinity and see if you need to add fresh water.

 

[John A!10]

if your filter sock is clogged, could result in lower water level in the 3rd chamber. Reason being that the filter sock is restricting flow, but the pump in 3rd chamber is still going at a high rate.

I see it all the time in my tank when the filter pads are in there for awhile. Evaporation is definitely playing a part too like earlier posters were saying. The result is you may end up overfilling the ATO and going under your desired salinity. Make sure to check salinity and see if you need to add fresh water.

My salinity is good. I checked this morning, I will remove the filter sock and check. The tank is still cycling, what would get caught, sand particles?

 

[splitting_lanes]

So last question, that is all the water that is evaporated, should I fill it back up to the line.

Yes, with fresh water

 

[aqua_code]

I recommend taking out the filter sock and seeing if the 3rd chamber goes back to the desired line. Add saltwater until it's at that line and retest your salinity later to make sure everything is correct. Food and waste will clog up your filter sock.

If it's new sand, yes small particles will get caught.

The ATO on this system will need an If statement measuring the conductivity probe. When the 3rd chamber is low, you will need to add saltwater or remove the filter sock and clean it.

Otherwise if it's running as usual can just add freshwater as mentioned above.

 

[John A!10]

I recommend taking out the filter sock and seeing if the 3rd chamber goes back to the desired line. Add saltwater until it's at that line and retest your salinity later to make sure everything is correct. Food and waste will clog up your filter sock.

If it's new sand, yes small particles will get caught.

The ATO on this system will need an If statement measuring the conductivity probe. When the 3rd chamber is low, you will need to add saltwater or remove the filter sock and clean it.

Otherwise if it's running as usual can just add freshwater as mentioned above.

Wait, why would I add saltwater, wouldn’t that raise the salinity?

 

[theMeat]

Wait, why would I add saltwater, wouldn’t that raise the salinity?

If you’re replacing water that evaporated use water. If you are adding water for water change or other reasons use salt water.
How did you establish “fill” line?
Are you cleaning tour sock every 3 days?

 

[PeaBrain]

Wait, why would I add saltwater, wouldn’t that raise the salinity?

If the saltwater you add is the same salinity as what is in your tank, no, it will stay the same.

 

[John A!10]

If you’re replacing water that evaporated use water. If you are adding water for water change or other reasons use salt water.
How did you establish “fill” line?
Are you cleaning tour sock every 3 days?

I’ve only had the tank running for 3 days. And no fish I will clean now.

 

[theMeat]

I’ve only had the tank running for 3 days. And no fish I will clean now.

Oh, congrats
Do you have siphon break?
Did you simulate a power outage to determine sump max fill line?