Holy Evaporation!

[Steve H.]

I probably just didn't notice how much water truly evaporates from the tank because I did 50% w/c's everyday during cycling, and then every 2 to 3 days after I was cycled.
Now that I have cut it down to 1 time per week it looks like I am losing +/- 1 gallon a week due to evaporation.
I am guessing this is normal and average?
Considering it is winter and the driest time of the year, and could probably expect less evaporation during humid summer months?

 

[fishprotector]

1 gallon is a lot! I loose a little but nothing like that. Is it an open top tank? Or do you have high wpg lighting?

 

[Steve H.]

1 gallon is a guesstamate based on the facts that the 10gl tank is 10" tall and the water level has dropped 3/4 of an inch since Sunday...and I project at the rate of evaporation so far the water level will be down 1"+ by this coming Sunday. The 10's just make for easy math although there is less than 10gL of water having been displaced by gravel, wood, extra....

Tank does have a hood. I did recently change the lighting. But, i went from a 15w incandescent bulb to a 40w florecent which actually produces a lot less heat.

 

[Steve H.]

1 gallon is a guesstamate based on the facts that the 10gl tank is 10" tall and the water level has dropped 3/4 of an inch since Sunday...and I project at the rate of evaporation so far the water level will be down 1"+ by this coming Sunday. The 10's just make for easy math although there is less than 10gL of water having been displaced by gravel, wood, extra....

Tank does have a hood. I did recently change the lighting. But, i went from a 15w incandescent bulb to a 40w florecent which actually produces a lot less heat.

 

[OldMan47]

I lose about 1 gallon per day from my largest tank and less from smaller ones this time of year. In summer there is much less evaporation. I go around daily checking for low water because otherwise it is a pain to deal with all of the low tanks on the weekend. I add RO water for evaporation since it contains no minerals and does not impact the tank's chemistry. Water changes are done using tap water, not RO.