Evaporation Problem

[B_R_A_D]

Hello everyone....
I have finally got my tank all plumbed and ready to go...... Now i have been running it for a couple of weeks with no stock, just seawater. I have noticed that im getting huge evaporation. The water temp is about 78 deg. I have no lid, but a 1000 watt MH, and 2 compact florecense and two fans blowing in the canapy to cool the lights. Now when I walk into my front room its like walking on the beach. The air is so salty i feel like I need a beer every day. I tried putting a lid on the top but then the salt just clings to the top of the lid.

Any help would be great

Thanks

[Meric]

That 1000 Watt MH will contribute to quite a bit of evaporation. I do not know what kind of tank you have but I bet it is deep. Depending on how far the lamp is from the surface of the water, this can create a lot of evaporation. The fans cooling the light are also generating some evaporation. The other thing that will contribute to evaporation is high surface agitation and large open surface areas.

If that lamp is less 12" from the water surface, you could raise it some. If you tank is less than 30" deep, you might try changing to 400W MH and if it is less than 25" deep you may try a 250w MH, unless you are trying to raise clams and SPS.

Don't know of anything else other than ducting your fan exhaust into your air return for the home that could help. Also room Dehumidifier may also help.

[cubalz]

That evaporation is inevitible with your set up. I would have to agree with the room dehumidifier idea otherwise you will end up with mildew in the room.

Hello everyone....
I have finally got my tank all plumbed and ready to go...... Now i have been running it for a couple of weeks with no stock, just seawater. I have noticed that im getting huge evaporation. The water temp is about 78 deg. I have no lid, but a 1000 watt MH, and 2 compact florecense and two fans blowing in the canapy to cool the lights. Now when I walk into my front room its like walking on the beach. The air is so salty i feel like I need a beer every day. I tried putting a lid on the top but then the salt just clings to the top of the lid.

Any help would be great

Thanks

[Ninong]

In general, 1000w lamps should only be used for really large tanks and they should be mounted no closer than 18" from the water's surface. The usual recommendation is that they should be mounted 24" above the water. I have seen people mount them as close as 12" above the water but that causes all sorts of problems.

I remember from an earlier thread that you said your tank was tall but it was only 55 gallons. I don't believe I would attempt running a 1000w lamp over a 55-gal tank.

[Poseidon]

I use a partially open window in my "fish room" to keep humidity down. I lose about 3-4 gallons every other day, which is perfect for the addition of Kalk! Use it too your advantage and add kalk to your make-up water. I de-humidifier may actually INCREASE your rate of evaporation too, so be careful there!

[B_R_A_D]

yes my tank is only 55 gallons but it is also almost 4 feet deep. My Light is about 22" away from the water so its not too close. Since my water temp stays around 77-79.

Thanks for all the help.

[Poseidon]

yes my tank is only 55 gallons but it is also almost 4 feet deep. My Light is about 22" away from the water so its not too close. Since my water temp stays around 77-79.

Thanks for all the help.

:eek3:

You mean 4 ft LONG??? Most 55 Gallon tanks are about 22" tall by 12" Wide by 48" LONG... Unless you have a tank that stands on end I think you have too much power from that halide... Heck I bet that thing HEATS your whole HOUSE somewhat!

[B_R_A_D]

Nope.... about 4 feet deep...... Its a custom made tank i got from work. Its a half round thats about 2 feet across and 4 feet deep and about 2 feet front to back. One day ill take pictures and post them for you guys.

[golfish]

Nope.... about 4 feet deep...... Its a custom made tank i got from work. Its a half round thats about 2 feet across and 4 feet deep and about 2 feet front to back. One day ill take pictures and post them for you guys.

that adds up to more like a 120 then a 55 but who's counting...You would think that a tank that size would have less evap then one that was 48" long x 24 x 24...How many gals of evap are we talking about?

[B_R_A_D]

OK OK... maybe my measurments are a little off.... but Im not losing that much now that i put a cover on it..... Im still maintaining temp with the cover but humidity is up in my house like 100%

[Poseidon]

If you cover your tank, you may be decreasing the O2 exchange at the surface. I used to keep my tank covered as well, but now I NEED the evaporation so I can get the Kalk in there!!!

[B_R_A_D]

Yeah I thought the same thing, but now im getting just enough evaporation from my sump so im only topping off once a week instead of every other day.