Water Change through evaporation?

[Kuroth]

I have a small 3 Gal tank with a lid that just sits on top of the tank. With some gaps in the lid.. It's a Topfin tank.

I have noticed that over a month's time, I am topping off my take a lot.. Probable 20% of the water over a month is evaporated..

My question is should I still do a monthly water change with the 20% evaporation?

Thanks!

 

[GaryE]

Minerals and pollution don't evaporate - they become more and more concentrated. The higher the evaporation rate, the greater the need for water changes.

 

[Kuroth]

Makes sense.. Thank you..

 

[Fishies4Ever]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing but the thing about evaporation is it’s not going to get rid of anything but the water. Just like in the ocean, the water evaporates but the salt stays, so all the poop and stuff that you don’t want in your tank will stay to. Long answer short I would still do water changes.

 

[10 Tanks]

I have a small 3 Gal tank with a lid that just sits on top of the tank. With some gaps in the lid.. It's a Topfin tank.

I have noticed that over a month's time, I am topping off my take a lot.. Probable 20% of the water over a month is evaporated..

My question is should I still do a monthly water change with the 20% evaporation?

Thanks!

Hello. Typically, there will be more evaporation in the drier part of the year. Just change half the water a couple of times a week and you won't notice the evaporation so much. Increase the water changes gradually, so you don't shock whatever lives in the tank. Whatever lives in there will appreciate the cleaner tank water.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[BettaFishGirl]

Yes you should...I do weekly 25% water changes for my 3 gallon to keep things clean.

 

[10 Tanks]

Yes you should...I do weekly 25% water changes for my 3 gallon to keep things clean.

Hello. My fish wouldn't be nearly as healthy if I changed just one-quarter of their water weekly. If I did, I'd still leave 75 percent of the dissolved waste in the water. But, the smallest tank I have is 45 gallons. So, I make sure I change at least half every week.

10 Tank (Now 11)

 

[emeraldking]

I have lots of open tanks. And I only add water when water has evaporated. All those tanks and fish in there are still okay without any problems. I'm doing this for years.

 

[GaryE]

I have lots of open tanks. And I only add water when water has evaporated. All those tanks and fish in there are still okay without any problems. I'm doing this for years.

Whether that works depends on how many plants you have, how you feed and what species you keep. @emeraldking is a very respected and experienced aquarist with very good set ups, and fish which like harder water (I believe). If I were to do what he does with my tapwater, I would lose fish within a few weeks. My water is soft with next to no buffering. So when evaporation happens, I top up by doing a water change at the same time.
Basically, I never top up. I do a 30% water change when I would need to. Different places = different conditions.

 

[emeraldking]

Whether that works depends on how many plants you have, how you feed and what species you keep. @emeraldking is a very respected and experienced aquarist with very good set ups, and fish which like harder water (I believe). If I were to do what he does with my tapwater, I would lose fish within a few weeks. My water is soft with next to no buffering. So when evaporation happens, I top up by doing a water change at the same time.
Basically, I never top up. I do a 30% water change when I would need to. Different places = different conditions.

You've got a point. For it does matter where you live. We all have different water parameters on our own locations. So, that should be kept in mind.
In our situation it's possible to do it like I'm doing it by just adding new tap water.

 

[10 Tanks]

Hello. Can't imagine what could live in such a small tank with such a small water change. Not much and not for very long is what I'm guessing. If you have nothing but plants, then a monthly water change of 20 percent is likely fine. Even some snails would be healthier if you changed half the water every few days. Such a small water change still leaves most of the toxins in the water and is really unsuitable for anything other than a few plants.

10 Tanks (Now 11)