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Too much water evaporating?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by jstngates, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. Dec 29, 2012 #1
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Toledo Iowa
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    I'm loosing 10 gallons a week and this may be one of my issues as within 2 days my salinity goes from 1.25 to 1.30. Do I need to put glass on top of my tank to help keep water in the tank? My guess is the air is dryer in the winter months.
     
  2. Dec 29, 2012 #2
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

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    I wouldn't recommend glass tops. They will trap heat and reduce the effectiveness of your lighting.

    Maybe think about an auto-topoff system instead.

    -JB
     
  3. Dec 29, 2012 #3
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Could this make my corals bleach?
     
  4. Dec 29, 2012 #4
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    What size system are you running? 10 gallons a week doesn't seem excessively high if you have a larger tank. I'm losing more than that on my 250. Auto top off is a must to keep the salinity stable. I've heard glass tops can inhibit gas exchange as well as the issues JB mentioned. I don't know if it would cause bleaching, but I'm sure the corals don't like salinity swings like you are experiencing.
     
  5. Dec 29, 2012 #5
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    How big is your tank? That seems a like a lot of evaporation. If you have your powerheads agitating your surface heavily, you may consider redirecting them so that it still gets agitated, but not as much....that should help with the evaporation rate. As far as putting glass tops on, it would help with evaporation, but it probably has more downsides than benefits. It doesn't allow for gas-exchange & may cause CO2 to build up (lower ph /more nuisance algae) and they get covered with salt build-up very easily which restricts the amount of light.

    Otherwise, do you run an auto-top off system? Makes it much less work and keeps your salinity stable.
     
  6. Dec 29, 2012 #6
    Dave Des Moines Area

    Dave Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Agree with ATO suggestion. Can also add kalk this way too. We would lose 16-18 gallons/week in our 210.
     
  7. Dec 29, 2012 #7
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

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    its only a 90
     
  8. Dec 29, 2012 #8
    Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

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    is ur tank in ur basement? i lose 5-7 gallons a week on my 20....
     
  9. Dec 29, 2012 #9
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

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    7-10 gals a week is about right for a 90.
     
  10. Dec 29, 2012 #10
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

    Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

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    ATO dude I have been telling you. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif
     
  11. Dec 30, 2012 #11
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    I couldn't imagine running a tank w/o an ATO. I have a hard enough time filling my ATO reservoirs every week.

    If you set it up right you don't even need to fill your reservoirs, the RODI unit can do it for you.
     
  12. Dec 31, 2012 #12
    fishyness

    fishyness Inactive User

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    I put glass tops on my sump during the winter months.Seems to help.
     

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