topping off

[fishiefishie]

I'd always had a cover on my tank until now. I recently got a light fixture so that I can grow some corals.
Anyway, I'm noticing that I'm having to top off a good 1/4-1/2" difference every day... about a gallon... is that normal??
I used to do it just once a week. If I have to a gallon a day to keep the sg and pH in line, I am going to need to invest in something... esp while I'm on vacation.

[DoctaQ]

why cant you use a glass top with the light fixture?

there are units that will automatically top off water for you, i personally think its tough to keep any tank smaller than 20 gallons open top

[fishiefishie]

Honestly, to have any top on it will be a pain due to the different items that HOB (a filter and a skimmer) and the cords from the powerhead and heater. I added eggcrate that I had to cut out around those things to help keep the firefish from jumping out.
I thought maybe the eggcrate would help, but I think any help was offset by the skimmer. :(

[fsn77]

Our 90g (until it had to be taken down recently :() evaporated about 1.5g / day. Our 250g evaporates about 2 - 2.5g / day. The amount you're seeing doesn't sound unusually large, but I can't remember what size your tank is.

Adding an auto topoff to our tanks was probably one of the best things I ever did in terms of reducing the amount of time and effort needed on a daily basis. They range in price quite a bit, and if you're a little handy you can DIY one pretty easily from parts readily available online.

[Jstdv8]

I'm evaporating 2 gallons a day with my 90g and a 1/2 full 55 gallon sump/fuge.
Someday when i can afford the extra 100 bucks I'll add a commercial made ATO and not have to worry about that anymore :)