Sump water level

[FishFanatic]

Why does the water in my sump lower everyday, its not letting my skimmer function properly (euroreef rs 100), is it because im using a brute container with one chamber, and the skimmer and return pump are both in the same container? Help is appreciated thanks.

[Fly Guy]

evaporation

look into a ATO system. Auto top-off. adding FRESH water to account for this evaporation is a issue for everyone. you can automate it or do it manually but you should top off every day to prevent salinity swings. If you dont evaporate a ton of water every day isnt always necessary, but once you get to a point in which you have lots of surface agitatation(GOOD THING), and possible metal halide lighting, you will evaporate a ton of water.

I lose roughly 5 gallons a day on my 90 and 8 gpd on my 225 roughly fwiw.

[FishFanatic]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

evaporation

look into a ATO system. Auto top-off. adding FRESH water to account for this evaporation is a issue for everyone. you can automate it or do it manually but you should top off every day to prevent salinity swings. If you dont evaporate a ton of water every day isnt always necessary, but once you get to a point in which you have lots of surface agitatation(GOOD THING), and possible metal halide lighting, you will evaporate a ton of water.

I lose roughly 5 gallons a day on my 90 and 8 gpd on my 225 roughly fwiw.

ya im losing water daily and its starting to get annoying, just a question, what if i had like a 3 chamber sump, the chamber where the skimmer is would always stay the same right? the last chamber with the return pump would lower if i am correct? im going to search the ato right now.

[snow_man84088]

Originally Posted by FishFanatic

ya im losing water daily and its starting to get annoying, just a question, what if i had like a 3 chamber sump, the chamber where the skimmer is would always stay the same right? the last chamber with the return pump would lower if i am correct? im going to search the ato right now.

Yes that is right, I am running a 3 chamber sump on my 90 g. I average a 1/2-1 gallon evaporation per day. Which is no biggie, I just keep a five gallon bucket full of ro/di water and top it off every morning before I go to work.

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by FishFanatic

ya im losing water daily and its starting to get annoying, just a question, what if i had like a 3 chamber sump, the chamber where the skimmer is would always stay the same right? the last chamber with the return pump would lower if i am correct? im going to search the ato right now.

absolutely. In fact this is key to super sonsistent operation of any in sump skimmer, as well as many out of sump skimmers depending on how exactly you have the drain plumbed on the out of sump skimmers. If there is any backpressure on the drain line it will affect out of sump skimmers as well.

you need to set up the first baffle next to the skimmer sectiion a inch or so taller than the last. the water level in the skimmer section will NEVER vary if you do this

I would suggest doing this with or without an ATO anyway. the water level never changing even a little bit is a good thing

[FishFanatic]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

absolutely. In fact this is key to super sonsistent operation of any in sump skimmer, as well as many out of sump skimmers depending on how exactly you have the drain plumbed on the out of sump skimmers. If there is any backpressure on the drain line it will affect out of sump skimmers as well.

you need to set up the first baffle next to the skimmer sectiion a inch or so taller than the last. the water level in the skimmer section will NEVER vary if you do this

I would suggest doing this with or without an ATO anyway. the water level never changing even a little bit is a good thing

Im probably just gonna build a 3 chamber sump. Ill refill it myself since it wont be affecting the skimmer. Thanks guys

[Loverotties]

Evaporation and skimming does that.