Water level in sump?

[John A!10]

Water dropped more today, and I wanted to top it off, but the salinity is the same, I think it is evaporating so little that there is no impact yet.

 

[themcnertney]

I have a similar type sump and lose water in my third chamber only. I have a basic float valve that is hooked up to a pump. That pump is in a 55 gallon auto top off tank. When the water in my third chamber lowers, it kicks on the float valve and pumps RO to my chamber. Salinity remains consistent and I have no thought or effort in having to worry about the level.

 

[themcnertney]

Water dropped more today, and I wanted to top it off, but the salinity is the same, I think it is evaporating so little that there is no impact yet.

You're only noticing this drop in evaporation because its only happening in that small chamber so the drop of water seems to be more pronounced.

 

[Marc2952]

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.

Yup my 75 gallon ( with 20 gallon sump) evaporates a gallon a day, crazy how much water evaporates in our tanks. You need to top it off or the salinity will creep up

 

[theMeat]

What temp is water
How much surface water movement?
Do you have siphon break?
Did you simulate power outage to establish max fill line in return section of sump?

 

[Marc2952]

Just lowered even more.

I really dont think its a good idea to put a heater in the return chamber, if for any case the water drops alot ( something clogs the overflow etc) the water will drop and the heater risks being damage since part of it will be outside water.

 

[bsr2430]

I really dont think its a good idea to put a heater in the return chamber, if for any case the water drops alot ( something clogs the overflow etc) the water will drop and the heater risks being damage since part of it will be outside water.

This is a very good point!
My heater is in my sump, but there’s a glass chamber at first and the water level has to go up pass that, I. The event something like this would happen, my chamber would stay filled right there.
Unless it cracked there.hahah

 

[John A!10]

This can’t be rig, I topped it off with saltwater because the salinity didn’t change. While I was sitting in front of the tank 30min it dropped by like 1/2cm. Could it be the pump.

 

[John A!10]

I really dont think its a good idea to put a heater in the return chamber, if for any case the water drops alot ( something clogs the overflow etc) the water will drop and the heater risks being damage since part of it will be outside water.

It has been changed ever since this started to happen. Thanks for your concern.

 

[John A!10]

What temp is water
How much surface water movement?
Do you have siphon break?
Did you simulate power outage to establish max fill line in return section of sump?

Yes simulate power outage, yes so phone break. Temp 79.

 

[bsr2430]

I burn about 1.5 Gallons a day. I'm sure I could do something to cut this back some how. But with an ATO, it handles everything and I never need to worry about it!
I'm sure most here burn 1.5 a day or more.

 

[aqua_code]

There's definitely a margin of error when it comes to the water level in the 3rd chamber with nano systems. I think this is why the rollermat is gaining popularity - helps maintain a consistent flow in the sump. Say for example you put filter floss between the 2nd and 3rd chamber. After about a week or two, you will be filling above the desired salinity level with your ATO, due to the restriction of flow into the 3rd chamber.

The sump will be holding relatively more water in the 1st and 2nd chamber due to the filter floss "dam."

Some sumps have a little overflow hole if the water level at the dam gets too high. I only trust my salinity readings and calibrate often.

 

[Shaummy]

This can’t be rig, I topped it off with saltwater because the salinity didn’t change. While I was sitting in front of the tank 30min it dropped by like 1/2cm. Could it be the pump.

Are you seeing the water level in the tank rise at all or in your overflow? I don't know how your tank overflow is set up...but are you pumping more volume out of your return section than is coming back to the sump from the tank?

Some of the things you have noted (no change in salinity, quick drop in return level) makes me think that it's not evaporation and that you are slowly pushing more volume out of the sump than you are draining back.

 

[John A!10]

Are you seeing the water level in the tank rise at all or in your overflow? I don't know how your tank overflow is set up...but are you pumping more volume out of your return section than is coming back to the sump from the tank?

Some of the things you have noted (no change in salinity, quick drop in return level) makes me think that it's not evaporation and that you are slowly pushing more volume out of the sump than you are draining back.

Tank level is the same as well as first 2 chambers. I did note a slight change in salinity. When the water in the 3rd chamber lowers. It also lowers in the overflow box, but not the main display.

 

[Dragon174]

Like others have said, I burn about 1 to 1.5 gallons a day. I have enough room in my sump and return section that I only have to top off every other day, but I go through 5 gallons a week on my 120 gallon tank with about a 30 gallon sump.

 

[John A!10]

Like others have said, I burn about 1 to 1.5 gallons a day. I have enough room in my sump and return section that I only have to top off every other day, but I go through 5 gallons a week on my 120 gallon tank with about a 30 gallon sump.

So 1/2 a gallon a day is probably normal for me.