On average how much water could I lose from evaporation?

John Hartford · 04/10/2006, 01:09 PM

I have a 210 tank with a sump/fuge, that will be run on 3-4oowatt metal halide with 2 T5. As a rough estimate how much water loss from evaporation can I expect weekly?

dc_909 · 04/10/2006, 01:18 PM

I don't know, but I lose about 1 gallon a day.

I have an 80 gal w/ 2 150w halides and 4 65w PC.

Don't know if this helps

smatter · 04/10/2006, 01:22 PM

I lose a half gal in my 37 daily.

eidillitih · 04/10/2006, 01:24 PM

well, I have a tank the same size with 2-250, 1-400, and 2-6ft vho's and I have to refill my reservior (9gal.) ever three days or so. I estimate my tank evaporate 2 1/2 gal a day. This also has something to do with the fans that blows on the water which increase vaporations.

REEFKEEPA · 04/10/2006, 01:28 PM

It would probably be in your best inerest to hook up an RO/DI unit to an auto top off in your sump. A tank that size will evaporate at least a couple of gallons a day.

ONEMANBAND · 04/10/2006, 01:38 PM

I replace 300ml/hour on a 90 display tank with a medical IV pump. Auto-top-off systems that utilized float switches are too risky, unless the system is engineered to keep tanks salinity stable.

MiddletonMark · 04/10/2006, 01:40 PM

During the spring/fall I tend to lose a gallon or a bit less on my 58.
During summer [A/C] and winter [furnace] IMO I can lose even more, depending on humidity levels.

REEFKEEPA · 04/10/2006, 01:54 PM

Mechanical float switches are risky, but so is a dosing pump.
Nothing is "fool proof". What diff does it make on salinity?
Were talking evaporation not salt loss due to creep.

cchoffman · 04/10/2006, 02:00 PM

I think he means if the salinity drops too much from a stuck float valve, it will shut is down.

ONEMANBAND · 04/10/2006, 02:02 PM

if a float switch "sticks on" it will flood the system with water and thus reduce the salinity. A dosing pump only pumps the amount you set it at (mine is set for 300ml- same as it would if it was dosing 300ml of saline into a human patient- if it fails- the water will never get to the tank, no chance of quick large salinity change). I have just seen too many "accidents" from float switches sticking, due to bad switch, salt creep, snails, etc... ATO systems can be made a million different ways, my point is if you go with a float switch ,engineer system so if a switch sticks you dont kill the tank.

REEFKEEPA · 04/10/2006, 02:10 PM

Fair enough,
Dual contact switches and husbandry are advised.
How much does a reliable dosing pump cost?
Can you feed it right from the output of a RO/DI unit?
If it can be done it would probably be worth it.

outta names · 04/10/2006, 02:12 PM

I lose about 2 gallons a day in my 72

ONEMANBAND · 04/10/2006, 02:18 PM

I paid $50 for a used medical IV pump. (if you live near a big city look up used medical supplies) I see them on ebay in the $30-75 range, mine is called a ROSS Flexiflo Companion - I catch my RO/DI water in a big brute trash can. the dosing pump is fed from this can. I do use a float switch from my RO/DI into the trash can to maintain a constant supply of clean water, and have a bulkhead near the top of this can which goes down to a floor drain in case the floatswitch sticks.

REEFKEEPA · 04/10/2006, 03:58 PM

Thanks ONEMANBAND,
I will look into this and find out if the pumps can take the water pressure generated by the RO unit. @40psi? If it works I can use this method. Agreed on the float switch flooding issues but as stated previously,engineering safety is the key.I don't have room for a reservoir

Humuhumunuku · 04/10/2006, 04:47 PM

just a little note...keeping your tank and if possible your sump coverd (not a hood acctuall covers that fit over the tank opening) will lower the amount of evaporation by keeping more of the water in.

dascharisma · 04/10/2006, 06:05 PM

In my air conditioned house (72 constant temp), on my 90 gallon tank with 2 100 gallon stock tanks as sumps, I lose just over 4 gallons per day. I have 2x 400 w halides and 3x 4ft vho's. I have 3 pfo 4 inch fans on each side of my canopy all blowing the same way. The fans are temp controlled and keep the tank within .3 degrees.

That being said I don't think it would be at all out of line for you to lose 40 gallons per week or more.

Brad

JmLee · 04/10/2006, 06:13 PM

i lose close to 1 gallon a day in my 60gallon tank.

04/10/2006, 01:09 PM	#1
John Hartford Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 256	On average how much water could I lose from evaporation? I have a 210 tank with a sump/fuge, that will be run on 3-4oowatt metal halide with 2 T5. As a rough estimate how much water loss from evaporation can I expect weekly?

04/10/2006, 01:24 PM	#4
eidillitih Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Euless Tx. Posts: 1,160	well, I have a tank the same size with 2-250, 1-400, and 2-6ft vho's and I have to refill my reservior (9gal.) ever three days or so. I estimate my tank evaporate 2 1/2 gal a day. This also has something to do with the fans that blows on the water which increase vaporations. __________________ What you achieve or fail to achieve is directly related to what you do or fail to do It's the Journey that makes the Destination so sweet C. Taylor, M.Ed. Current Tank Info: 190g, 250lbs Live Rock, Vertex Alpha skimmer, 2x Tunze 6100's, Vortech 40mp, Queit one return, 220watts vho, 750MH, 60gal. Melev Sump, DIY Stand and Canopy, JBJ 1/4 Chiller, and other Man toys

04/10/2006, 01:28 PM	#5
REEFKEEPA Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 494	It would probably be in your best inerest to hook up an RO/DI unit to an auto top off in your sump. A tank that size will evaporate at least a couple of gallons a day. __________________ WE ROCK!!!!!! Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon tub drilled, 120Lbs LR, 140Lbs LS, CPR CY194 Sump w/LR trickle, Mag Drive 9.5 return, 2 x Tunze6025 for flow, 2 x Ice Cap 660 running 6 x 95 W lamps

04/10/2006, 01:38 PM	#6
ONEMANBAND Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 726	I replace 300ml/hour on a 90 display tank with a medical IV pump. Auto-top-off systems that utilized float switches are too risky, unless the system is engineered to keep tanks salinity stable. __________________ At birth,Chuck Norris came out feet first so he could roundhouse kick the doctor in the face. NOBODY delivers Chuck Norris but Chuck Norris. Current Tank Info: 75 reef/100 aggressive

04/10/2006, 01:40 PM	#7
MiddletonMark Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 14,441	During the spring/fall I tend to lose a gallon or a bit less on my 58. During summer [A/C] and winter [furnace] IMO I can lose even more, depending on humidity levels. __________________ read a lot, think for yourself Current Tank Info: 58g stony reef [250w10k, 250w 20k MH, 2x vho act, Octopus150, 6060 + 6000] ; 60g mixed tub

04/10/2006, 01:18 PM	#2
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	I don't know, but I lose about 1 gallon a day. I have an 80 gal w/ 2 150w halides and 4 65w PC. Don't know if this helps

04/10/2006, 01:22 PM	#3
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	I lose a half gal in my 37 daily.

04/10/2006, 01:54 PM	#8
REEFKEEPA Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 494	Mechanical float switches are risky, but so is a dosing pump. Nothing is "fool proof". What diff does it make on salinity? Were talking evaporation not salt loss due to creep. __________________ WE ROCK!!!!!! Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon tub drilled, 120Lbs LR, 140Lbs LS, CPR CY194 Sump w/LR trickle, Mag Drive 9.5 return, 2 x Tunze6025 for flow, 2 x Ice Cap 660 running 6 x 95 W lamps

04/10/2006, 02:00 PM	#9
cchoffman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 119	I think he means if the salinity drops too much from a stuck float valve, it will shut is down.

04/10/2006, 02:02 PM	#10
ONEMANBAND Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 726	if a float switch "sticks on" it will flood the system with water and thus reduce the salinity. A dosing pump only pumps the amount you set it at (mine is set for 300ml- same as it would if it was dosing 300ml of saline into a human patient- if it fails- the water will never get to the tank, no chance of quick large salinity change). I have just seen too many "accidents" from float switches sticking, due to bad switch, salt creep, snails, etc... ATO systems can be made a million different ways, my point is if you go with a float switch ,engineer system so if a switch sticks you dont kill the tank. __________________ At birth,Chuck Norris came out feet first so he could roundhouse kick the doctor in the face. NOBODY delivers Chuck Norris but Chuck Norris. Current Tank Info: 75 reef/100 aggressive

04/10/2006, 02:10 PM	#11
REEFKEEPA Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 494	Fair enough, Dual contact switches and husbandry are advised. How much does a reliable dosing pump cost? Can you feed it right from the output of a RO/DI unit? If it can be done it would probably be worth it. __________________ WE ROCK!!!!!! Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon tub drilled, 120Lbs LR, 140Lbs LS, CPR CY194 Sump w/LR trickle, Mag Drive 9.5 return, 2 x Tunze6025 for flow, 2 x Ice Cap 660 running 6 x 95 W lamps

04/10/2006, 02:12 PM	#12
outta names Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 360	I lose about 2 gallons a day in my 72

04/10/2006, 02:18 PM	#13
ONEMANBAND Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 726	I paid $50 for a used medical IV pump. (if you live near a big city look up used medical supplies) I see them on ebay in the $30-75 range, mine is called a ROSS Flexiflo Companion - I catch my RO/DI water in a big brute trash can. the dosing pump is fed from this can. I do use a float switch from my RO/DI into the trash can to maintain a constant supply of clean water, and have a bulkhead near the top of this can which goes down to a floor drain in case the floatswitch sticks. __________________ At birth,Chuck Norris came out feet first so he could roundhouse kick the doctor in the face. NOBODY delivers Chuck Norris but Chuck Norris. Current Tank Info: 75 reef/100 aggressive

04/10/2006, 03:58 PM	#14
REEFKEEPA Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 494	Thanks ONEMANBAND, I will look into this and find out if the pumps can take the water pressure generated by the RO unit. @40psi? If it works I can use this method. Agreed on the float switch flooding issues but as stated previously,engineering safety is the key.I don't have room for a reservoir __________________ WE ROCK!!!!!! Current Tank Info: 70 Gallon tub drilled, 120Lbs LR, 140Lbs LS, CPR CY194 Sump w/LR trickle, Mag Drive 9.5 return, 2 x Tunze6025 for flow, 2 x Ice Cap 660 running 6 x 95 W lamps

04/10/2006, 04:47 PM	#15
Humuhumunuku Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Townsville, AU Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 1	just a little note...keeping your tank and if possible your sump coverd (not a hood acctuall covers that fit over the tank opening) will lower the amount of evaporation by keeping more of the water in. __________________ They mostly come at night. Mostly. Current Tank Info: 135g mixed reef

04/10/2006, 06:05 PM	#16
dascharisma Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Posts: 1,144	In my air conditioned house (72 constant temp), on my 90 gallon tank with 2 100 gallon stock tanks as sumps, I lose just over 4 gallons per day. I have 2x 400 w halides and 3x 4ft vho's. I have 3 pfo 4 inch fans on each side of my canopy all blowing the same way. The fans are temp controlled and keep the tank within .3 degrees. That being said I don't think it would be at all out of line for you to lose 40 gallons per week or more. Brad __________________ I HATE BROWN CORALS! Current Tank Info: 420 gallon display, 900 gallon system. Volcano Skimmer, Tunze Streams, Neptune Controllers, Radium Bulbs, PFO HQI Ballasts, Tradewinds Chiller

04/10/2006, 06:13 PM	#17
JmLee Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hohensfels, Germany Posts: 1,545	i lose close to 1 gallon a day in my 60gallon tank.