Evaporation: A Full time job?

[AquaSquid]

I have a 75gal tank with a 20gal long sump/refugium. I am having to add around 1gal of RO/DI almost every day. Is this normal? Any suggestions?

[graphixx]

oh man your lucky, between all of my tanks I am topping off approx 4 gallons of water every morning. yep its normal!!

[Tom McKenna]

Normal for sure !!

[dakar]

Now you see why we invent auto-top off systems, our largest tank evaps over around 5 gallons a day so you are well within the 'normal' range.

[perpetual98]

Sounds about right. I couldn't tell you how much I go through, since my auto topoffs are tied directly to my RO/DI unit.

[davejnz]

My 40 evaporates about 1.5gal per day.

[Reptoreef]

happens and is good for proof of gas exchange and ability to add kalkwasser with evaporation... 2-3 gpd here(Utah's pretty dry).

[Whoyah]

A gallon a day is right on. I have a 75 display and 20 sump too.

[AquaSquid]

Whoyah, I am happy to hear that you have the same set up as me 75gal/20 gal. Could you let me know a little more about your specifics. How long has the tank been up? How is the sump set up? Do you run a refugium? What type of skimmer, and lights? What kind of critters Etc.?.....

[AquaSquid]

Whoyah, I almost forgot. What problems have you had? What would you have done differently? I'm still in the early stages of set up and cycle so this would be a big help. Thanks.

[Whoyah]

Wow thats a tall request. Well here goes.

75 gallon display with overflow box.

SSB with 80 lbs of LR.

Lights are currently 4 96 watt PCs ( 2 10k, 2 actinic). Currently in the process of building a canopy for 2 250 MH and 2 36" T5s.

Skimmer is AquaC EV-120 with a Mag5

Close loop system with SCWD driven by Mag 9, two ouputs

Return pump is Mag 7

20 gallon is split in half for fuge and sump.

I dose with Kent two part for alk and calcuim nightly. Plus I add Kent iodine and Mg.

Fish: 3 chromis, 1 royal gramma, 1 purple tang, 1 lawn mower blenny

Corals: shrooms. zoas, buttons, colt, xenia, 2 BTA, torch, frogspawn, open brain,blastos, singiliera (sp?), acro, and monit caps.

The most important thing I have learned is patience and understanding. Being patient and buying the right equipment and livestock. Understanding a fish or coral before purchasing it is key to helping it florish. Understanding how the system works and the impacts changes will have. I have made alot of mistakes. One of the best places for info is a forums like this.

Did I miss anything?

[reefgeek]

For EVAP this is what I did. I went out and bought 3 5 gallon H20 cans, the kind you take your H2O home with. They have a 3/4" MIP fitting on the cap. I reduced this down to 1/2" and from there put a 1/2" to a push fitting for 1/4" H20 line. After I had the push fitting in I fitted a small 1/2" piece of 1/4" H2O line and put a push fitting stopcock on that. This can sits 8' above the ground in a garage cabinet. figuring roughly .434 pounds of head per foot gives me about 3 PSI of pressure at the outlet. From there I ran 20' of 1/4" H2O line down the wall, and under the drywall lip in the garage. I put a hole in the wall, and ran the H2O line from the garage into the sump. I connected it at the sump via 1/2" PVC and another push fitting. In the middle of the PVC riser, I put a 1/2" T to a 1/2" MIP fitting. I purchased a mini float valve from www.usplastics.com, and set my sump level where I wanted it @ 9" from floor of sump to water line. The float valve is adjustable, and it automatically tops off the tank. I just change the H2O can every 7 days and FA GET ABOUT IT ! I also will be adding Kalk to the H2O eventually when my calcium starts to fall. This may not work for you but the ideas I had may "SPAWN" (ha I kill myself) something for you.

I have pics if you want em;

RG

[AquaSquid]

Pictures? I want! I want!!

[reefgeek]

pics of evap setup all in all It cost me less than 20 bucks.

[reefgeek]

some more pics

[davejnz]

RG,that is an excellent way to use a float-valve without having to drill a tank.Good-job!!