[Mirkle]

i useing almost 2 gallons top off a day in my 55. its open top. that sound normal?

[stephaniesquires]

Originally Posted by Mirkle

i useing almost 2 gallons top off a day in my 55. its open top. that sound normal?

Sounds like a lot - but - how warm is the water and how cold is the room it is in??? I think evaporation varies with changes in room temp etc... My sump and fuges are in my garage, colder in there and I was getting lots of evap - put a piece of plywood over the openings (still allows for air to circulate) on the 90 gallon fuge and it seems to have slowed the evap. I would check for any leaking from the tank and hoses - if no leaks try covering part of the top of the tank- as long as it does not interfere with lights etc....

[aquasalt]

Expect your temperature to jump if you cover it! You may want to experiment on a day when you are home to monitor. Are you running a fan? If so, this will greatly increase the rate of evaporation!

[Mirkle]

water temp is about 78, room temp about 68-74.. i have 2 powerheads in tank one of them faceing the surface of water..i would say it maybe more close to a gallon and a half than 2 gallons a day.

[aquasalt]

Sounds like it is what it is! lol

[pogodzib]

Many things affect evaporation rates. I'm currently evaporating 5 gal/day on my 220 gal tank. My old 125 gal tank evaporated 2 1/2 gal per day in the winter and 4 gal/day during the summer. 1 1/2 gallons per day isn't unheard of for a 55 gal tank. IMO, it is better to leave the tank uncovered and top off the water daily with an ATO device than to cover the tank, unless your house is showing signed of excess humidity in the air.

[Mirkle]

ok cool.. ill just keep on doin what im doin

[malawi]

yeah you doing great,I'm about to start buying my stuff for my 65 high;first I have to sand down the cabinet and paint and add some crown molding to the canopy so it can look good you know.I have a plain cabinets

[Phayes]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but while we're on the topic.... Water removed from a protein skimmer.... saltwater or fresh water to top it up? I just installed my protein skimmer last night, and I know it doesn't take ALOT of water, but is the protein skimmer getting rid of the salt in the water or just the water itself?

[stephaniesquires]

Originally Posted by Phayes

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but while we're on the topic.... Water removed from a protein skimmer.... saltwater or fresh water to top it up? I just installed my protein skimmer last night, and I know it doesn't take ALOT of water, but is the protein skimmer getting rid of the salt in the water or just the water itself?

The gunk that is pulled out of your skimmer is some water and icky stuff (technical term!) The skimmer wont affect your salinity, any evaporation is only fresh water - leaving the salt, too much evap and your salinity could go up... "top off" with fresh water, water changes with salt water.

[icu-travis]

i have a freshwater 55 that backs up to my marine tank. it is partialy covered but catches the down draft air from two fans i mounted to cool my lights on the marine tank. i add 2.5 to 3 gallons every other day. so i would say sounds normal.

[ozzy_200769]

I lose a gallon a day on a 75g, tank is covered but my sump isnot, temp stays about 80

[bnhaus]

75 gallon tank and 20g sump. Both uncovered and evaporate about 1-2 gollons a day.

Yours sounds fine.

Look into getting a "top-off" system to replenish the water

Makes things easier

[Mirkle]

i think im really gonna look into a top off system.. doin it the way im doing it know compared to a top off system would be a HUGE difference and easier way.

[sgarron]

Phayes, it depends on how you are skimming. If you are skimming wet (light color and ots of water), than you are removing salt. If your skimming dry (dark coffee sludge)than it wont be an issue.

[lynnvangsnes]

My 110 uses about a gallon a day. If the humidity is low, it will use need more fresh water added.