Evaporation woes

**davincey** · 6th May 2010, 15:04

Hiya folks,

Due to the awesome weather lately, I find the water levels in my 2ft planted tank dropping at double the rate. I cool the tank with a fan that usually runs for 24 x 7 though I currently tie it to my CO2 Solenoid timer. I placed my canister filter output through a rainbar that is at about 20% below the water level. Normally, I can leave it alone for 2 days before I have to top it up.

I went to Genting last weekend for 3D2N. I topped up the tank beyond my normal level and left it running over the weekend. When I returned 3 days later, the water level has dropped to close to 50% and the rainbar was spraying water all over the place.The water has evaporated so much that the level went below the rainbar level. Due to lack of water resistance, the rainbar's output was at full blast and that sent more water spraying out of the tank.

Is it advisable to get an acrylic sheet that at least covers 3/4 of the tank to reduce evaporation or to prevent the water from spraying out? My aquarium cabinet and cooling fan up lorry because of this. Heng the other stuff are ok though.

**bossteck** · 6th May 2010, 16:05

Covering the tank will increase the water temperature.

You want to cool the tank, just have to top up more often.

As for your rain bar... make sure the holes are pointed in a more or less downward angle that should prevent any future mishaps (touch wood)

**davincey** · 6th May 2010, 17:54

I was thinking of using that only if I go for extended trips, otherwise I do top up regularly lol. Rainbar was pointed slightly downward though one of the holes got clogged with something and started spraying upwards. Was thinking just cover 1/2 or 3/4 of the top to keep any sprays down.

I did ask my sister-in-law to look after the house while we were gone.... silly girl didn't think about topping up the water even though she did notice the water level was low. T.T

**BFG** · 6th May 2010, 18:02

You'll need a Auto water top up equipment to deal with the water evaporation. You could spend money to get them or diy a system yourself to top up the water. Top of the line system that include a laser and a float valve as a secondary fail safe that cost below $400 to a diy set up that cost a few dollars only are available.

**Fuzzy** · 6th May 2010, 18:06

I'm surprised no one has offered the most obvious solution yet...

Consider getting a chiller

**davincey** · 6th May 2010, 18:17

LOL! No more space to put anymore equipment lah... Plus I will only need it when I go for trips which is not that often. Actually the evaporation during normal days is fine.... I blame the cursed weather these few months :P

I spend anymore on my tanks and I'm gonna get it from my wife... LOL!

Thanks for the inputs!

**aquarius** · 6th May 2010, 18:18

Maybe you can extend the rainbar lower to about 50% of the tank's water.

**Navanod** · 6th May 2010, 18:29

Originally Posted by BFG

You'll need a Auto water top up equipment to deal with the water evaporation. You could spend money to get them or diy a system yourself to top up the water. Top of the line system that include a laser and a float valve as a secondary fail safe that cost below $400 to a diy set up that cost a few dollars only are available.

If you only need it to help you tide over short trips, a good DIY is to learn from the dripping system that's used to acclimatize new livestocks.
But instead of dripping water from your tank into a bucket, put a big bucket on a higher surface than your tank and let it drip into the tank.
Might take some adjusting of the dripping speed to make sure you don't over flood the tank so you should set it up afew days before the trip

**davincey** · 6th May 2010, 19:12

Originally Posted by Navanod

If you only need it to help you tide over short trips, a good DIY is to learn from the dripping system that's used to acclimatize new livestocks.
But instead of dripping water from your tank into a bucket, put a big bucket on a higher surface than your tank and let it drip into the tank.
Might take some adjusting of the dripping speed to make sure you don't over flood the tank so you should set it up afew days before the trip

I considered that though I really dun see any place that I can place a big bucket to allow the water to drip down. I considered getting a small water pump and use a control valve to lower the water flow rate too... just no space to place the water container that is within reach. Oh well....

Placing the rainbar lower will wreck havoc on my plants.

**BFG** · 7th May 2010, 13:26

Hmm, you have a tough situation there. No space for extra equipment and no funds to purchase extra equipment. Hope you find a solution for your predicament.

**binniez** · 7th May 2010, 14:33

hmmm.. next time.. prepare water for ur sis-in-law to topup.. cheapest way.. haha..

**felix_fx2** · 7th May 2010, 21:35

Originally Posted by binniez

hmmm.. next time.. prepare water for ur sis-in-law to topup.. cheapest way.. haha..

bro i advise to prepare check list if you are to ask someone look after your hobby.

worse cases that can happen (it happens)
Overfed food, under top up water and off your mains for the tank.

**aquarius** · 9th May 2010, 01:42

Originally Posted by davincey

Placing the rainbar lower will wreck havoc on my plants.

Positioning the lowered rainbar pointing the holes backwards to the back glass panel instead of pointing it forward towards the front glass panel of the tank will prevent the problem on your plants. You'll have to figure out the best angle to point the rainbar.

**Fuzzy** · 9th May 2010, 05:26

Also you might want to consider replacing your rainbar with a Lily Pipe.

**davincey** · 10th May 2010, 09:41

Everything is stable now except for the accelerated evaporation rate caused by the weather lol. I'll consider the points made by you guys when I do my next revamp. Thanks folks