My tank seems to lose a lot of water from evaporation. I have one of those filter systems that "hang" on the edge of the tank so a good portion of the cover is opened in the back for this to fit. Would covering this allow the tank to keep more water longer? or is there something else that may be wrong. Also, there are no leaks in the tank, I've checked.
water evaporation
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Water evaporation is inevitable. My tanks lose about 1/2 to 1 inch of water every week. I It depends on tank temp and open spaces in your hood as to how much water loss you will get.
If you are keeping up with water changes, once a week or every other week, your tank will suffer no ill effects of this water evaporation. The only downside to evaporation between water changes is that some HOB filters make more water noise as the water level decreases. If thats the case, I just add some treated tap water to top off the evaporation and still stick to my normal maintenance routine.
When you say LOTS of water, how much are we talking over the course of a week?
If you are keeping up with water changes, once a week or every other week, your tank will suffer no ill effects of this water evaporation. The only downside to evaporation between water changes is that some HOB filters make more water noise as the water level decreases. If thats the case, I just add some treated tap water to top off the evaporation and still stick to my normal maintenance routine.
When you say LOTS of water, how much are we talking over the course of a week?
over the course of a week I'd say an inch, maybe an inch and a half or so. I guess it just seems like a LOT to me. I knew evaporation was a normal process but it just seemed like more was evaporating than there should have been. But now it seems like the amounts I'm losing is pretty typical
Yes, that is quite typical. YOu could slow the rate down my covering the openings in the back of the hood, but I wouldn't bother. As long as you stay on top of water changes and do not simply top off the water you'll be good to go.
Depending on what type of fish you have you may want to cover the top more completly just to keep them from jumping out!! I had a rainbow shark commit suicide a few weeks ago, I had the smallest gap in the back of the tank, maybe 1/2 an inch and he found it 
. It is now lined with empty toilet paper tubes, very classy I know 
, but it will have to do for now!
. It is now lined with empty toilet paper tubes, very classy I know , but it will have to do for now!I usually have a bucket of dechlorinated water sitting in my stand and dump a couple cups worth in the tank every couple days when I'm staring at the tank (this is to keep the water level optimal in the trickle filter compartment - my main tank stays at a constant level unless the pre-filter is starting to clog).
Evaporation is unavoidable in a tropical tank, but if for some reason you want to keep the water level constant, you could install an overflow, common in saltwater tanks.
Evaporation is unavoidable in a tropical tank, but if for some reason you want to keep the water level constant, you could install an overflow, common in saltwater tanks.
Don't forget its winter time. Because of the drier air water evaporates much more quickly this time of year. In the summer I have so little evaporation its not even noticeable.