Is this normal?

Cub21rak

Cub21rak

New member
I'm having to add ro water everyday about 1-2 gallons a day. I know there is evaporation but is that normal?
 
Yep, that's completely normal. My record for evaporation is 3-4 gallons per day. Then I got a lid, and it cut that in half.
 
I have a screen top. Someone told me not to use glass top before. I think something about keeping the heat in? Idk may be wrong. 3-4 gal a day? How large a tank? Mine is 75
 
3-4 gallons was on a 75, so you're normal. You're completely right, glass tops hinder evaporation, which severely reduces a tanks ability to naturally cool itself. Plus, it makes the tank a waterlogged greenhouse. :D
 
On my 55G it used to be about half a gallon a day during the winter months; a little less in the warmer months.
 
Thanks. I really should get an ato. This filling up eaching morning after work and usually in the evening sucks. Any suggestions?
 
Are you planning on getting a controller anytime? If not, then get at JBJ auto top off, that's the easiest, simplest way. And not much more than DIY version. You gotta remember when you have salinity swings from water loss like that it causes chemical shifts inside the tank, and adding that much RO water at once is a shock to the system. ATO is definitely the way to go. If you cover the cost of me getting the float valves for my controller you can have my jbj, lol.

I think you'll find (at least I did) that when you start topping off the amount of water loss per day actually decreases because there's less water movement.

If your RO unit isn't directly attached, I wouldn't use the model skunker recommended for a drip solution either, because if the sump ever over flows higher than that unit, there's a chance the water would create a siphon.
 
I use the jbj auto top off system, and it's been one of the best pieces of equipment that I've purchased for my tank this year. But before I got it, I was manually topping off approx. 1/2 gal a day.
 
SkunkerX said:
Well if you are just topping off with water straight from your ro unit like I do then this should work

for you as its what I have been using for 3 years now with no problems.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20412
Click to expand...

I got this one a while back and I am extremely happy with it. I really don't like the idea of electronic switches around SW (too many home sump issues) and I am impressed with how simple/reliable the mechanical float is. In my case the RO/DI water container sits well above the sump, so there is no issue with siphon, but this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/inline-check-valve-1-4-x-1-4-push-connect-murlok.html would solve that. Don't forget to order one of these:http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/ball-valve-1-4-x-1-4-push-connect-murlok.html if you go that way. You want to be able to shut off the flow for cleaning and stuff. I forgot to get one and NO local places carry them (c'mon BRS group buy!)
 
Herbie said:
I got this one a while back and I am extremely happy with it. I really don't like the idea of electronic switches around SW (too many home sump issues) and I am impressed with how simple/reliable the mechanical float is. In my case the RO/DI water container sits well above the sump, so there is no issue with siphon, but this: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/inline-check-valve-1-4-x-1-4-push-connect-murlok.html would solve that. Don't forget to order one of these:http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/ball-valve-1-4-x-1-4-push-connect-murlok.html if you go that way. You want to be able to shut off the flow for cleaning and stuff. I forgot to get one and NO local places carry them (c'mon BRS group buy!)
Click to expand...

The issue of creating a siphon only happens when the water container is higher than the sump, otherwise there wouldn't be a drip or gravity feed in the first place, which would cause the siphon if the water sources were connected. The murlock wouldn't stop that either.

And besides, creating electrical fire danger hazards is what this hobby is all about!
 
yogoshio said:
The issue of creating a siphon only happens when the water container is higher than the sump, otherwise there wouldn't be a drip or gravity feed in the first place, which would cause the siphon if the water sources were connected. The murlock wouldn't stop that either.

And besides, creating electrical fire danger hazards is what this hobby is all about!
Click to expand...

LOL, good point, but I guess I don't understand (and may need education). Are you talking about water backing up into the water vessel or a vapor lock situation where the ATO quits working?
 
I'm talking about the float switch puts the output very close to the water source, and during power failure or other situation where the sump water rises higher than the switch, there's the possibility of a siphon, and then water is EVERYWHERE. This can happen with any water source that's higher than the sump, including an RO unit, because it'll keep pouring water too. That's why I like a pump with an ATO, you can hang a drip way higher than the water level and not worry about it. My ATO actually slithers down the return plumbing into the sump, so there's not a drip sound either.
 
Sorry for the hijack, but water everywhere is my least favorite part of this hobby.:eek:

So yogo, you're saying that in my set up, with the ato reservoir 3 or 4 feet above the sump and float, it's possible for the water to siphon back up that 3or4 feet and overflow the reservoir even with a one way valve inline (I don't have a check valve but you mentioned it wouldn't help)? I don't understand the physics in that situation. When I shut off my return the sump fills well past the float, but that just shuts it off. There are no outlets lower than my sump full-line, so I thought a siphon out would be impossible. I'm afraid I may have missed an important day in physics class or something.:D

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
I've heard of the float switch leaking for lack of a better word when water raises past the float switch, which would cause your reservoir to siphon into the sump. I've seen it happen multiple times.
 
yogoshio said:
I've heard of the float switch leaking for lack of a better word when water raises past the float switch, which would cause your reservoir to siphon into the sump. I've seen it happen multiple times.
Click to expand...

oh, well that makes sense and is a scary thought (and it would render the inventor of the device a complete idiot). In my short time I have never heard of that, but I have heard a lot of people mention ATOs going haywire and pumping fresh water into their tanks, but I am also sure there are probably 100 people using JBJ ATOs for every one on the mechanical float, so it's probably a sample error. In my case, my whole frag tank is an experiment for an eventual upgrade, so I will definitely keep the ATO system on the TBD list. Thanks Yogo, sorry Cubrak. :hello:
 
SkunkerX said:
Well if you are just topping off with water straight from your ro unit like I do then this should work

for you as its what I have been using for 3 years now with no problems.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=20412
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll have to look at that some. I have a credit with them so might look at that. But would that have to lead straight from my rodi unit? It's all the way in the laundry room and if I did that I'd have to go from the unit to the attic then down through the ceiling in front room. Not sure about doing that.
 
yogoshio said:
Are you planning on getting a controller anytime? If not, then get at JBJ auto top off, that's the easiest, simplest way. And not much more than DIY version. You gotta remember when you have salinity swings from water loss like that it causes chemical shifts inside the tank, and adding that much RO water at once is a shock to the system. ATO is definitely the way to go. If you cover the cost of me getting the float valves for my controller you can have my jbj, lol.

I think you'll find (at least I did) that when you start topping off the amount of water loss per day actually decreases because there's less water movement.

If your RO unit isn't directly attached, I wouldn't use the model skunker recommended for a drip solution either, because if the sump ever over flows higher than that unit, there's a chance the water would create a siphon.
Click to expand...

I have an rkl, looked and seen that they have ato but haven't looked I depth and priced. Probly should because this evaporation everyday is sucking.

As far as your top off, maybe I can check it out sometime and see how it works for you.
 
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