Water loss

[Scrup]

So I checked my sump about 5 min ago and realized it was almost empty, with the pump spraying bubbles everywhere. turned it off and let the tank drain into the sump to check the level.

11" below where I filled it to last weekend.:ssuprised:

No way.

Thats like 5+ gallons evaporating a day.

Gonna have to check tomorrow around the tank, as I haven't noticed any water on the floor, but..I don't know what else could have happened.

Would the colder weather outside (its been anywhere from 3-20F this week) result in a higher evaporation rate?

[Aeonflame]

Well, drier air would cause water to evaporate easier, as opposed to humid air, which has a high moisture content. that seems like a bit too much for it to be just evaporation though

[domjd05]

I get around 5. Gallons a month of evap. Out of my 35g sump on my 125, and that's with both tanks mostly covered.

Are your tanks covered?

[Deleted User]

That sounds like a lot to be attributed just to evaporation, however, since starting to run the heat (heat pump) in our house, the air is much dryer, and the tanks are showing more than 2x the amount of evaporation they showed when we were not running the heat pump for heat.

[Northernguy]

Have you got a basement? lol
That does seem like way to much to be evaporating.It must be going somewhere.

[Crispy]

I add about 5g a week to my 55g sump. This is in between twice weekly water changes, so about the same water loss as you.

[Scrup]

I add about 5g a week to my 55g sump. This is in between twice weekly water changes, so about the same water loss as you.

Guess it is normal....

I mean, I am in the mountains, at 1 mile above sea level, and it is dry as all get out, so it IS a possibility. Just never knew that was a downside to mountain life.

The tank is mostly covered. Guess I will look into getting some weatherstripping and sealing it and the sump off....yay new project.

Thanks for the input!

[Not NEW Not OLD]

I wouldnt seal everything off tight...bacteria needs oxygen to grow and so its job. they also create waste gas as well and that needs to go someplace as well...so sealing it off tight is not really a good solution...slow the pump outlet back to the tank down and this will keep more water in the sump...is it possible there is a restriciton in the feed side of the sump system and the pump is pumping the sump dry...

[wynnEZ]

I cant really see him evoporating 5+ gallons of water a day guys, something has to be up.

[Crispy]

I cant really see him evoporating 5+ gallons of water a day guys, something has to be up.

Happens in my tank every few days. Maybe he has very thirsty fish? :hmm3grin2orange:

[Aeonflame]

Well, its not impossible that its evaporation, giving the atmospheric conditions.

Either that.. or...

Do you sleepwalk? Ever wake up in the morning with a strange taste in your mouth?

:hmm3grin2orange:

[domjd05]

What size pump and what size overflow are you running on this setup?

Is it possible the pump is pumping out more than your overflow can siphon?

[thatcichlidguy]

My sump would loose 4 gallons a week like clockwork. That was at an elevation of 30ft on the Carolina coast (very humid) with a tank Temp of 86*F. No leaks in the system.

Your gonna want to monitor that water loss for reasons other than possible leaks. Running pumps dry like that dramaticly reduces their lifespan. I do agree though that some degree of coveing of the sump may be needed to help control the loss.

[Scrup]

It is a 1500GPH pump and 4 1" overflows. The overflows have no problem keeping up with the pump, it actually has a tide like effect, tank raises 2 inches, air gets flush out of the overflows, tank drains 2 inches, siphon breaks. the cycle usually takes about 2 min.


Like I said I just need to figure out how to seal off the sump better.

[i_am_511]

Add water daily or every other day and check how much water goes out each day and try to change certain things in and see if that helps....