Winter Storm Water Crisis

[FishNerd4Ever]

Hello. I have an opinion question regarding evaporation. I apologize for the long post, but I feel like a little background is needed. I live in the Dallas area, and we are having a crippling experience because of this winter storm. I have been one of the lucky few to have had electricity through all of this, but now our cities are running low on water. Many places do not have water and some are on severe restrictions. My city has been asked to severely limit water use. So here's the question, my open- top aquarium has been losing about 2.5+ gallons of water per day since this started. I had an adequate amount of top off water to get me through the past week, but I am running low. In an effort to conserve water for those that have none--and because of the freezing temps--I do not want to/can't use my RO/DI unit. I have about 6 gallons left. Should I cover the aquarium to reduce evaporation, and if so, how much do you think that will affect the water parameters and the livestock? Is there a better option? I just upgraded from a 40gal to 75+ sump about 2-3 months ago, so although the aquarium has been quite stable and is doing well, I believe it is probably in a quite fragile state given the timing of cycling, etc. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[ScottR]

Can you buy big bottles of distilled water just in case?

 

[bsr2430]

Can you buy big bottles of distilled water just in case?

No, Dallas is sold out on water. Everything is sold out.

 

[FishNerd4Ever]

Can you buy big bottles of distilled water just in case?

I am going to try to go to the store and see if I can get a few. I love my aquarium, but I also don't want to take any remaining water from the humans/dogs/cats that need it more than I do if I can help it. My city still has water, but they are asking us not to shower, wash dishes, etc right now. Other areas have no water at all.

 

[FishNerd4Ever]

No, Dallas is sold out on water. Everything is sold out.

Thanks. I was figuring that. I am glad you let me know.

 

[bsr2430]

Just out of curiosity, what would happen if you used the snow for water?

 

[bsr2430]

Thanks. I was figuring that. I am glad you let me know.

I’m in no place to talk because I live in VA. The news have been telling the story where water is getting bought out everywhere.

 

[FishNerd4Ever]

Ha! Actually thought about it. Who knows what chemicals are in the snow from pollution. But, we sure do have enough of it.

 

[FishNerd4Ever]

I’m in no place to talk because I live in VA. The news have been telling the story where water is getting bought out everywhere.

It is probably true. Too many people panic around here, and with 10 million people, that adds up quickly...like the toilet paper issue.

 

[FishNerd4Ever]

Hello. I have an opinion question regarding evaporation. I apologize for the long post, but I feel like a little background is needed. I live in the Dallas area, and we are having a crippling experience because of this winter storm. I have been one of the lucky few to have had electricity through all of this, but now our cities are running low on water. Many places do not have water and some are on severe restrictions. My city has been asked to severely limit water use. So here's the question, my open- top aquarium has been losing about 2.5+ gallons of water per day since this started. I had an adequate amount of top off water to get me through the past week, but I am running low. In an effort to conserve water for those that have none--and because of the freezing temps--I do not want to/can't use my RO/DI unit. I have about 6 gallons left. Should I cover the aquarium to reduce evaporation, and if so, how much do you think that will affect the water parameters and the livestock? Is there a better option? I just upgraded from a 40gal to 75+ sump about 2-3 months ago, so although the aquarium has been quite stable and is doing well, I believe it is probably in a quite fragile state given the timing of cycling, etc. Any advice is appreciated.

What if I covered a portion of the tank to just slow the evaporation? Would that be of any benefit? I have a bunch of press and seal. Maybe I could cover half of it? I don't know. Just starting to panic a little.

 

[FishyFishFish]

I don’t know the answer to this and am just thinking out loud, hopefully an expert might be able to help, but if you lowered the temp would that reduce the evaporation rate? Clearly it would have to be a balance between risking your livestock through salinity or temp, if it would even do any good.

I would guess that covering would definitely help but you’d need to make sure the condensation drips back into the tank and not on to the floor. I don’t know if you have to take it off periodically and mix the water to maintain oxygenation?

Bear in mind I’m a relative newbie but just trying to throw ideas out there.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I have covered my FW tank when I have gone on 2 weeks vacation with no ATO and it worked great. I used aluminum foil. But for my SW tank I would use the Press and Seal if I had to.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Just use tap and run it through the first couple stages of filtration from the RO.

 

[Rjramos]

Bottled distilled water is not good for drinking but good for aquarium use. Did these fly off the shelf as well?

 

[PR_nano]

How about collect the RO/DI "waste water" and give it to those who might need it. That way you keep your reef but also help those in need.

 

[DC Reefer]

Could you boil snow to kill anything in the water and then use a pump to push it though the RODI and get top-off water that way? Collect the waste water and you have something you could use to flush a toilet every once in a while

If you don't have a glass top for the DT, I would cover with plastic wrap and make sure you have some agitation at the surface, maybe even leave a small open area for some air exchange. I would not cover the sump so it will get good gas exchange there. This would likely reduce the evaporation more than 1/2 (assuming your DT has more surface area than you sump).

 

[DaddyFish]

You could easily run your RO/DI waste water into buckets and use that for filling/flushing toilets. That would be one of the most conservative approaches possible under these conditions.
And use your old/waste tank water from any water changes for the same toilet flushing.

 

[bsr2430]

Bottled distilled water is not good for drinking but good for aquarium use. Did these fly off the shelf as well?

People will drink anything....
plus with anyone with gas, they’ll need cooking water.

 

[iMi]

What's happening in Texas is unbelievable. The government failed it's people miserably before jetting off to Cancun, but I digress. I would recommend you cover the tank like others have said and also settle for a less ideal water that is partially filtered. I think those are both sound ideas.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

I agree with DaddyFish, run your RODI and collect the waste and use it for domestic purposes. That way you are wasting no water and getting the pure water you need for your tank.

Dennis