Refugium

[DaleHauze]

I just got my tank up and flowing water. My question is every day i have had to adjust the pump because the pump section is low on water so i fill it back to the water line and close the valve a little more. My pump is a mag drive 1200 with an eshoop 30 gallon refugium and a 110g corner over flow tank. Is what im experiencing just evaporation or is there a deeper problem? Any help would be great

 

[Mrc8858]

That's just evaporation. Top it off with Ro/Di water and stop turning down the pump, its normal.

 

[DaleHauze]

Ok thanks i wasnt sure this is my first sump i usually use canisters

 

[DaleHauze]

Thank you this is my first sump set up and i wad getting nervous

 

[Minkota]

My question is every day i have had to adjust the pump because the pump section is low on water so i fill it back to the water line

When you say "every day" how much water are you losing, you shouldn't be losing so much "every day" that you MUST add water right away or adjust a valve (unless the pump sits high in the sump). Are we talking a a few gallons a day or about 1 gallon or less? If it is evaporation, is the tank near a window where it gets alot of sunlight or heat what type of lights are you using what temp is the tank. I personally add 5 gallons every weekend so ~gallon a day I'd say is normal.

 

[DaleHauze]

No lights on it yet and i would have to guess around a gallon per day would sound about right

 

[DaleHauze]

I think my pump area of my sump is just too low it suggests like a 4" water line and that only leaves like an inch of water above the pump

 

[Mrc8858]

Ya I'd be looking into either an ATO system or somehow increase the size of your return chamber.

 

[DaleHauze]

Oh and maybe a little morning sunlight.

 

[Minkota]

No lights on it yet and i would have to guess around a gallon per day would sound about right

I'd say its normal evaporation. I would recommend keeping water on hand to top off or get an auto top off system as opposed to turning down the pump. Turning down the pump means less water turn over which means less filtration plus restricting the pump could possibly shorten the life of the pump.

 

[DaleHauze]

What i did last night was covered the tank and 3/4 of the sump with acrylic and added water to the pump chamber to increase its depth so ill see what it looks like when i get home

 

[Mrc8858]

Don't cover it too much as you dont want to deplete your O2 levels. Evaporation is a battle we all deal with unless you buy yourself an ATO.

 

[Minkota]

Don't cover it too much as you dont want to deplete your O2 levels. Evaporation is a battle we all deal with unless you buy yourself an ATO.

+1 agreed

 

[Ingy]

my 110gal goes thru exactly 1 gal per day. I run an ATO.