Topping off tanks?

Well I'm a little confused here. As some of you know I have a 29 gallon biocube; water obviously does evaporate. Can someone just explain to me when and how I should top off evaporated water?

 

Once or twice daily with ro/di water. Do not use saltwater as salt does not evaporate.

 

2in10 is right from all the reading i have done at least every two days if not the water will be to salty as salt dose not evaporate
8)

 

o ok I see so just add a little bit of fresh ro/di water every day? That'd make sense; thanks!

 

Well lets face it, topping off evap water 1-2 times a day is just not feasible or even practical as life has a habit of getting in the way.

This is why most of us use an ATO set-up (Automatic top off), search for this on google or Marine Depot or the life. These are inexpensive ways of automatically replacing your evap water as it evaporates, thus creating a more stable system by minimizing your parameter swings.

 

I have a 14g biocube and there is no evaporation in it..

 

Well I don't see evaporation to be such a big problem; I'm pretty sure I could just add some ro/di water whenever I'm not busy

 

Evaporation causes fluctuations in every single parameter imaginable as they all become more concentrated as water levels decrease.

When water level lowers your SG, nitrates, Calcium, phosphates, any toxins, etc etc etc all rise. Evaporation is a huge problem.

There are many tidal creatures that are fine with this and many more creatures that can't take it.


If you're not using an ATO, at least mark somewhere the water level so you, at least, refill to a consistent level.

Also remember if the water level drops too far before you can get to it, you can't just fill up a ton of fresh all at once. As it slowly evaporates the levels slowly rise and things adjust. But if you just fill up a large evaporation event (like you miss a day or two from being home) that would be a fast swing in parameters and can shock some things as well.

Good luck.

 

ATO is definitely a great solution

but I have never had any issues mainly due to the enviroment my tank is in
I lose a constant litre per day, it never varies much over the course of a year
as the ambient temps are pretty stable

I top off half a litre between 7 and 8 am and then another half litre sometime between 6 and 7 pm

if I am away on business for a few days, my good lady or my son will take over this duty for me

so if you do go manual, regular is best
and try and get someone you share the home with involved so that they can help should the need arise

Steve