water loss

[Timothy]

I just started getting into aquaponics so i figured id start small. ive got a ten gallon tank and i started cycling my tank and my water level dropped by almost fifty percent over a week. i havent noticed any wet spots on the floor so i dont think im leaking. could it be evaporation? please help im so confused

 

[Kobus Jooste]

Depending on the temperature and the moisture level of the air surrounding your system, you could be losing 1 - 2% of your water volume per day.  50% in a week sounds a bit steep if it is not fully planted and in the middle of summer.  I would have wondered about a leak or perhaps the water not draining out of the grow bed completely. 

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Timothy,

If you're cycling continuously (24hr/day) and water is spread over a wide area of Grow Bed, at only a 10 gallon reserve you can easily deplete the missing 5 gallons. Smaller systems are much more critically affected by evaporation, that's why I quickly upgraded from a 50 gal reservoir  to a 200 gallon FT, because the regular top ups were much too inconvenient for me.

[TCLynx]

If you have any plants in an indoor systems that small, the plants can use up lots of water just trying to humidify the air around themselves.

 

Now 50% in a week is still a bit much unless you have a big tomato plant growing.  Are you sure all that is loss or is there some water level fluctuation due to the bed flooding and draining?

 

I would guess my indoor 10 gallon aquarium set up probably looses more like 5-10% per week due to the house plants liking to add humidity to the air (I will actually see drops of water forming on some leaves.)

 

 

[Timothy]

yeah i would leave it cycling for a fw days then turn it off for a few days because i read that if i just let it sit there the bacteria wouldnt get enough oxygen. guess i should just upgrade to a bigger tank because im not around enough to keep a good eye on it

Harold Sukhbir said:

Hi Timothy,

If you're cycling continuously (24hr/day) and water is spread over a wide area of Grow Bed, at only a 10 gallon reserve you can easily deplete the missing 5 gallons. Smaller systems are much more critically affected by evaporation, that's why I quickly upgraded from a 50 gal reservoir  to a 200 gallon FT, because the regular top ups were much too inconvenient for me.

[TCLynx]

Either that or you need to install a top up valve and a way to automatically add water when you are not home enough.

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Timothy,

The media bed which contains the bacteria needed for converting ammonia will die off without moisture/ammonia. Do you leave the beds without water for extended periods? Your profile suggest  that your set up is Flood and Drain, how long are your cycles between  F & D? Top ups are an alternative but are an extra component. To remove the chlorine from tap water you need a carbon filter or a sump attachment with float valve, it may be easier to simply upgrade the FT.