Q for folks using rubbermaid stock tanks

MO Will · 05/27/2007, 10:31 PM

How do you keep track of how much water has evaporated?

I just converted to a 150 gallon rubbermaid stock tank for a sump. I thought I would place my return pump in a 10 gallon rubbermaid brute trash can. By my rationale it would fix the water level at 17 inches and I could monitor the evaporation in the trash can.

Unfortunately, the level got too low and the trash can started to float away - even with live rock inside to weigh it down.

Any recommendations??

Photo with trash can in place:

Photo with trash can removed:

Thanks!!

MO Will · 05/28/2007, 07:29 AM

^^^

Also, any estimate on what evaporation rates may be?

On my 58 with a 20 gallon sump evaporation was about 3.0 liters/day

Thanks!!

virginiadiver69 · 05/28/2007, 08:14 AM

It looks like you could just scribe a water level line on the inside of the stock tank.

marino420td · 05/28/2007, 09:16 AM

Here is a pic of my setup with a 100 gal rubbermaid container. To the right you see a Brute trash can. That is my ATO holding tank. Hooked into my sump with vinyl tubing and a Kent float valve.

Before I hooked up the ATO, I just topped off with RO/DI water to the same level each time.

datablitz · 05/28/2007, 10:08 AM

i use a float valve on mine, and a few others i have been around, either the same way as marino, or with the float valve directly hooked up to the RO. i typically use the stainless steel float valves from spectra pure.

MO Will · 05/28/2007, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the replies!

Will

05/27/2007, 10:31 PM	#1
MO Will Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 444	Q for folks using rubbermaid stock tanks How do you keep track of how much water has evaporated? I just converted to a 150 gallon rubbermaid stock tank for a sump. I thought I would place my return pump in a 10 gallon rubbermaid brute trash can. By my rationale it would fix the water level at 17 inches and I could monitor the evaporation in the trash can. Unfortunately, the level got too low and the trash can started to float away - even with live rock inside to weigh it down. Any recommendations?? Photo with trash can in place: Photo with trash can removed: Thanks!!

05/28/2007, 08:14 AM	#3
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	It looks like you could just scribe a water level line on the inside of the stock tank. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

05/28/2007, 07:29 AM	#2
MO Will Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 444	^^^ Also, any estimate on what evaporation rates may be? On my 58 with a 20 gallon sump evaporation was about 3.0 liters/day Thanks!!

05/28/2007, 09:16 AM	#4
marino420td Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cape Girardeau, MO Posts: 2,529	Here is a pic of my setup with a 100 gal rubbermaid container. To the right you see a Brute trash can. That is my ATO holding tank. Hooked into my sump with vinyl tubing and a Kent float valve. Before I hooked up the ATO, I just topped off with RO/DI water to the same level each time.

05/28/2007, 10:08 AM	#5
datablitz Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Blacklick, Ohio Posts: 347	i use a float valve on mine, and a few others i have been around, either the same way as marino, or with the float valve directly hooked up to the RO. i typically use the stainless steel float valves from spectra pure.

05/28/2007, 12:34 PM	#6
MO Will Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Saint Louis Posts: 444	Thanks for the replies! Will