Evaporation 101...

[jd_75g]

Ok...currently designing the layout of my 'fish room' and trying to figure out how to properly account for evaporation. The DT will be on the main level of the house and all filtration will be in the basement. Filtration will consist of 3 components...2 separate 50 gallon sumps that will hold equipment and add extra water volume, and a 75G fuge. Will have an ATO, but which of the 4 components (DT, fuge, two 50 gallon sumps) will 'show' the evaportation?

 

[braydonosu]

I'm pretty sure that it depends on your exact set up - Where are your return pumps? Which tank overflows into the other. If all three in the basement are hooked up side by side with no overflow, just connections then all 3 will show the evap. If everything overflows into one or both of the sumps then they will show the evap.
I hope this helps - It's hard to determine without knowing what flows into what and the heights of things.

 

[jd_75g]

Originally Posted by braydonosu
http:///forum/post/3026647
I'm pretty sure that it depends on your exact set up - Where are your return pumps? Which tank overflows into the other. If all three in the basement are hooked up side by side with no overflow, just connections then all 3 will show the evap. If everything overflows into one or both of the sumps then they will show the evap.
I hope this helps - It's hard to determine without knowing what flows into what and the heights of things.
Well, just drew out my design, but cannot figure out how to post it. I'll try to explain: DT will drain into a plastic container sump and a separate 75G fuge using a ball valve. I'll be drilling the side of the 75G so overflow will be gravity fed into the said sump. That sump will be connected to another sump (gravity fed), and then to an inline return pump, which will take water back up to DT. Each component will be higher than the next, so gravity will control water flow 'till the last sump when inline pump will send water back up to DT...(75G will be on a stand, 1st sump will be on a platform but still lower than the 75G, and last sump will sit on floor. Make sense?
So, will I need three separate ATO for the fuge and both sumps, or just one ATO for the last sump that sits on the floor?

 

[braydonosu]

Makes sense - the way I understand it you will only need 1 ATO in the last sump. If the fuge gravity feeds into the first sump, then the water level will never drop below the hole that you drill for the overflow - likewise from the first sump to the second.
Off hand I can't think of a single example that anyone would need more than 1 ATO per system.
Do you know what kind of ATO device you are going to use?

 

[jd_75g]

Originally Posted by braydonosu
http:///forum/post/3026806
Makes sense - the way I understand it you will only need 1 ATO in the last sump. If the fuge gravity feeds into the first sump, then the water level will never drop below the hole that you drill for the overflow - likewise from the first sump to the second.
Off hand I can't think of a single example that anyone would need more than 1 ATO per system.
Do you know what kind of ATO device you are going to use?
Not yet...any suggestions?

 

[braydonosu]

There is one floating around at different sites for around $100 that uses a float and a switch of some sort. Basically it electrifies an outlet when the water level drops. I've heard some good things about this one but have no person experience.
Right now I am working on something like this http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/m...off-34549.html Mine is a little bit different, but the concept is the same - Instead of the rubber glove I siliconed a rubber gasket over the end that was shaped perfectly for the ping pong ball to seal against. I also cut bigger holes in the bottom PVC part so that I could see if water was trickling down. HTH