MAJOR water evaporation problem!

Hello all....well I seem to have a major problem with water evaporation! I find myself needing to add top off water everynight...which I'm sure is stressful my livestock. Lighting listed below...no cover on tank, with light suspended above tank with hinges. The water level is lowering I would say about 1/8-1/4 a day. Lighting hood has fans included, and been trying to cut down "full light" time to see if that helps....water temp is stable at 79-81, but this is making it hard to keep my sg stable....which is around 1.26-1.27 right now....also, because I'm always playing catch up with the water level, my hang on filter outflow is creating microbubbles in the tank, because it is so hard to keep the water level high enough to where the water flows right into the water, and not has to "splash" well not that bad, but you get what I mean.

Is it my light? What can I do...add another fan? My home is generally cool, at around 70-73 degrees....How much stress am I creating by adding fresh water so often? All is well, everyone is healthy and happy, not showing signs of problems....but I know the importance of keeping everything stable...and for the most part, it is, except the sg really, and I'm concerned about the bubbles....please...any help?

 

Automating the water top off is a big stress reliever for you and your fish.

I use Tunze's - it's incredible but expensive.
A cheaper one is A.T.S. - there are a couple reviews of it on the review board.
Or a Kent plastic float switch will do or even a Kent Aquadoser I.V. would help.

Adding a sump would help to hide this stuff.

 

I call that minor evap. I replace 2 gallons a day in my 60g system. I used to do 25 - 35g a day at work in one system and now we do it by the hundreds at my current job

I's invest in a auto top off unit, like Matt suggested. It'll really help solve this problem for you. I went a more expensive route myself and bought a scientific grade paristaltic dosing pump and just dialled it into my need.

 

WOW, guess my evaporation is "minor" compared to yours!!! So is it safe to assume that this is a normal issue, and based on the size of my tank, the amount of evaporation is to be expected? I was under the assumption for some reason that maybe it was an excessive amount. I always see when reading about "top off" water, but it never specified an average amount (probably no need to) but for whatever reason I thought mine was out of control! Probably because I always feel like I'm filling it back up! hehehe

Okay, Ill definitely look those units! Thanks again guys!!!

 

You're on the right track. Adding the fan would keep your water cooler if it blows across the surface, but would increase the evaporation.
Evaporative cooling effect.

Jim

 

dancin'! I call that super minor evap! I have to top off day and night. lol. About 1/2g, sometimes more when skimming is high. You need to top off not just because of evaporation, but also because of skimming. It's normal and should not be stressful, as water is lost everyday.

If you're topping off freshwater, be careful because you may lower the SG. Prep RO/DI water with salt to keep the SG leveled. I only start topping off with fresh RO/DI when my SG is a bit high and need to lower it a tad. You can also top off catalina water if you dont wanna make your own batch of saltwater.

 

You shouldn't have to add salt to your evap water.
You can only lower SG if you add more than what evaporated.
Salt doesn't evaporate. But it sure creeps!

 

Matt,

I think that rickzter is referring to topping up due to excessive skimming. Every time you throw out a cup of skimmate, it's the same as throwing out a cup of salt water and eventually your sg will drop ( albeit over a lengthy period )

John

 

Good point! I wasn't thinking about that. THat has to be a lot of skiimmate!

 

Yes it is a lot and normally over an extended period. But I guess if you had a small tank and skimmed heavily ( very wet skimmate ) it would/could be an issue

John