Is evap worse with or without a canopy and with or without a sump?
I seem to be losing a lot of water recently and the carpet is not wet and I don't see anything wet.

reefer87 wrote:Is evap worse with or without a canopy and with or without a sump?
I seem to be losing a lot of water recently and the carpet is not wet and I don't see anything wet.

I replaced the canopy over my system with an Odyssey lighting setup, which leaves my tank largely uncovered, and noticed a significant increase in my evap. Always had a sump so couldn't tell you the difference with or without.

I would think a sump would easily add to evaporation. More surface area = more evaporation.

I'm also betting a canopy is debatable. Canopies usually requires fans to provide cooling and air flow increases evaporation.

have you changed something lately? also from the chemistry side of things, low calcium can aid in faster evaporation rate, take a look at that too.

so the question is what is your setup? I always have evap whether I have an AIO, open top, or tank with a canopy. The AIO with a lid has less evap but my tank at home with a canopy can evap up to a gallon a day depending on the ambient temperature of the room.

What did you change recently and what temp setting do you keep for your tank and your living area?

Ok so I have changed the lighting removed the canopy, added little cooling fans to the light and installed a sump in the last week and a half. I will need to check the calcium and I will post with the reading. The tank temp is usually around 80 in the day and 77 at night with room temp around 70ish sometimes in the high 70's during peak day time.

How much water is evaporating?

Over a gallon a day?

BTW calcium is at 450 on API test kit. From what I have read the API reads high so I'm going to say its around 420ish

Removing the canopy alone will up your evap. Cooling fans for the lights or tank? if the fans are turning on during the day then that will add more evap. sump wont do too much for evap unless its out in the open of a fan is blowing on it, but it will change the evaporation rate some.

Thanks for the input guys. As much as I like the look of the tank with out a canopy I think I'm going to put it back on.

because you can't keep up with the evaporation?

Yeah I'm going to try it with the canopy on for a week and see out it does. I may start looking into an ATO if it doesn't help.

You can buy mine... Lol I go through at least a gallon and a half a day. Got to love metal halides.

How much do you want for ATO set up?

free....

Sweet I will take it.

Go pick it up, he's at home.

Lol.

I would say having an ATO system is one the most convenient things I've gotten for my tank. I go through about 5 gallons a week and not having to topoff water every day or two manually is really nice. Also keeps your salinity levels more stable which is always a good thing.

if you have a controller you would just need to buy the switches and modules vice an ato

He doesn't, and mine should be here mid week, so I an going to put float switches on it and have it control my ato

dwolson2 wrote:He doesn't, and mine should be here mid week, so I an going to put float switches on it and have it control my ato

What does that have to do with Darren? are you giving him your old one?


You know, to make your own ATO is a very simple circuit and can be done with parts from radio shack, for about $30. All you need is a 12vdc relay, 12vdc power supply and 2 float switches... It's cheaper if you get the parts online.

Ok thanks Jimmy. I will look into it.

sisterlimonpot wrote:

dwolson2 wrote:He doesn't, and mine should be here mid week, so I an going to put float switches on it and have it control my ato

What does that have to do with Darren? are you giving him your old one?


You know, to make your own ATO is a very simple circuit and can be done with parts from radio shack, for about $30. All you need is a 12vdc relay, 12vdc power supply and 2 float switches... It's cheaper if you get the parts online.

Every two switch ATO I have ever owned has failed in the on position at some point. I would recommend one with an optical sensor instead. I have been using the Tunze one for >1 year and have never had it fail. Much more reliable than the standard ATO.

Ive had 2 float switches wear out the internal reed switch, both times in the off position, right about the 3 year mark. The optic sensor can be easily substituted for float switches, if I recall the optic sensors go for $20-$30.

are you guys talking about this one?
http://www.tunze.com/details.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1%5Bprodid%5D=5020.300

When I program it into the apex, I am going to have to buy new switches(since the ones I have now go to the JBJ Ato) I have heard the optical sensors are good, but I have no idea what they are.

dwolson2 wrote:are you guys talking about this one?
http://www.tunze.com/details.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1%5Bprodid%5D=5020.300

When I program it into the apex, I am going to have to buy new switches(since the ones I have now go to the JBJ Ato) I have heard the optical sensors are good, but I have no idea what they are.

yes that is the unit.

Do any of y'all have build pics of you ato? Can y'all post some up if you got them.