covering the top of the tank, i need less Evaporation.

[bill109]

hello
so the lfs tells me tht the theory of the gas not bain able to exchange with glass tops is a little over rated so to speak.
and tht he has a tank for 5 years and it was covered by glass covers. and he had to do top offs like once a week and evaporation was low.
i have an open top an i cant keep the stupid tank filled to the top and it bothers me

so i have a wires from PH's on the side and cant use glass covers.. how do i keep the top somewhat covered to minimize evaporation?
i havent seen the tank full since i got it in december..
thanxs in advance.
-bill109

 

[mcbdz]

I have an open top also and I just top off every morning. I fill mine up to the very top so when it is time to top off it is just starting to show below thw rim. I have read some people have automatic top offs made cheap. Maybe Try one of thos that will top it for you maybe a few time a day.

 

[essop3]

This is a bit much of a step just to cure that one problem but it'll be good for your tank. But have you considered adding a sump? It gives you a great place to hide pH probes, skimmers, heaters etc. Plus the level in my tank never changes.
Easier solutions include an auto-top off or glass tops, as you mentioned. Glass tops usually don't cover 100% front to back so you may be able to reroute your wires to the back. They need cleaned of salt all the time and temp may become an issue.

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by mcbdz

I have an open top also and I just top off every morning. I fill mine up to the very top so when it is time to top off it is just starting to show below thw rim. I have read some people have automatic top offs made cheap. Maybe Try one of thos that will top it for you maybe a few time a day.
wwell i have to buy ro water from the lfs.. at a dollar a gallon and i have 15 gallons worth of conatain to fill up but since alot of ppl buy from there they cant fill it up all the time and 15 out of their 55 is alot

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by essop3
This is a bit much of a step just to cure that one problem but it'll be good for your tank. But have you considered adding a sump? It gives you a great place to hide pH probes, skimmers, heaters etc. Plus the level in my tank never changes.
Easier solutions include an auto-top off or glass tops, as you mentioned. Glass tops usually don't cover 100% front to back so you may be able to reroute your wires to the back. They need cleaned of salt all the time and temp may become an issue.
i want a sump but i have to buy one from the lfs at like 300 and b uy the overflows cus my tank isnt driled and i dont have tht kind of money and its kinda confusing so buying one from the lfs is the onl way for me..
its a pain but i relllyyy want a sump

 

[rbaldino]

Just buy a glass top and reroute all the wiring so it goes out the back. The glass tops come with a plastic strip on the back you can trim to fit around filters, skimmers, etc.

 

[essop3]

Make one from a rubbermaid container. You don't really need a wet/dry with bio-balls and all that. Just a container for water. An overflow and return pump will run you a little though. What size tank?

 

[mcbdz]

I buy my water from Walmart at 33 cents a gallon and always get about 20gal. at a time. I fill up a couple 5 gal containers and the rest 1 gal juggs. This was a lot cheaper for me until I get my own unit a the first of the year. Have you tried there? I have had no problems with their water.

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by essop3
Make one from a rubbermaid container. You don't really need a wet/dry with bio-balls and all that. Just a container for water. An overflow and return pump will run you a little though. What size tank?
90 gal.
so all i need is a container to hold water and keep my equipment in . then i have it pumped back into the overflows?
with a ph/pump?
and how does it get from the overflow to the bottom where the rubbermaid is?
wont the rubermaid bow out?
thanks
-bill109

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by mcbdz
I buy my water from Walmart at 33 cents a gallon and always get about 20gal. at a time. I fill up a couple 5 gal containers and the rest 1 gal juggs. This was a lot cheaper for me until I get my own unit a the first of the year. Have you tried there? I have had no problems with their water.
nope. i dont think ne walmarts around here have the water where u bring ur own container and fill it up.

-bill109

 

[mcbdz]

Sorry. Double check next time you go yhough. It's usually at the front of the store. Cullian water. Or maybe a grocery store may have one. If not it may be worth checking into a unit for your home then. You can find one a home depot or lowels for just a little over a 100 and it will save you in the long run.

 

[essop3]

It'll bow out a little but not enough to matter. Hoses run from the overflow down to the sump and via a return pump (maybe a mag 6?) through a hose back to you tank.
You could hard plumb them with cvp pipe if you like. Either way I'd guess it at about $100 project.

 

[essop3]

superstitious

 

[ophiura]

Your LFS is a rip off to charge a dollar a gallon for freshwater RO (meaning they haven't added any salt to it).
RIP
OFF
At that rate, you would have payed for an RO unit once already, which I strongly recommend if that is what they are charging. There are fill your own RO places all over...Windmill stops, glacier water at grocery stores, Walmart, etc.
I would never pay a dollar a gallon for that.
Watch your pH very closely if you go this route, but I am interested to know exactly why you are losing such a noticeable amount of water so quickly. Do you have halides?

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by ophiura
Your LFS is a rip off to charge a dollar a gallon for freshwater RO (meaning they haven't added any salt to it).
RIP
OFF
At that rate, you would have payed for an RO unit once already, which I strongly recommend if that is what they are charging. There are fill your own RO places all over...Windmill stops, glacier water at grocery stores, Walmart, etc.
I would never pay a dollar a gallon for that.
Watch your pH very closely if you go this route, but I am interested to know exactly why you are losing such a noticeable amount of water so quickly. Do you have halides?
no i dont have ne halides. i have pc's and a strip flourescent on the top.
like mentioned it is an open top and it dos bother me. i cant kep it full

 

[ophiura]

You can use the tops, but watch the pH closely (both during the day and evening). I am somewhat concerned why you are losing that much water...
But I would absolutely get an RO unit if your LFS charges that kind of money for water. That is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by ophiura
You can use the tops, but watch the pH closely (both during the day and evening). I am somewhat concerned why you are losing that much water...
But I would absolutely get an RO unit if your LFS charges that kind of money for water. That is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
only somewhat huh? lol
well u thikn the ph may have something to do with loosing alot of water?
ill check it

 

[ophiura]

No...not the pH per se, but it would be the pH that would be the most impacted if you have the glass tops on it.

 

[bill109]

Originally Posted by ophiura
No...not the pH per se, but it would be the pH that would be the most impacted if you have the glass tops on it.
ooo.. so if i have on it eventually i will keep an eye on it.. lol
thanx
-bill109

 

[helpme74]

this is what i got over my tank