What to Do When Water Evaporates from a Fish Tank?

Are you noticing that the water level in your fish tank is dropping due to evaporation? Don’t worry, it’s a common occurrence in aquarium maintenance. However, understanding the causes and knowing how to address this issue is crucial for the well-being of your pet fish.

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind water evaporation in fish tanks and provide practical solutions to maintain the optimal water level and ensure a healthy environment for your fish. Let’s dive in and discover how to tackle this challenge effectively.

Understanding Water Evaporation in Fish Tanks

You filled your fish tank and let it cycle. You introduced your fish and performed regular water changes. But what if you notice aquarium water loss between those changes? Is there a problem? What should you do?

Evaporation in fish tanks is normal. As part of the water cycle, water molecules evaporate from bodies of water – including your aquarium – and take to the air. Although this is a natural process, there are steps you should take to maintain the health and safety of your aquatic pets.

Below, we will discuss how to maintain water levels in fish tanks. First, we’ll take a look at the causes of evaporation and its effects. We’ll also consider equipment for refilling fish tanks and what you can do to limit water loss.

Causes of Water Evaporation in a Fish Tank

As already noted, water evaporation is a naturally occurring phenomenon. There is no way to prevent evaporation, but understanding the causes can help you to manage your aquarium better.

Temperature changes can increase the rate of evaporation, as warmer water is more energetic and more readily becomes water vapor. Increases in room temperature, exposure to sunlight, or increases in water temperature due to a heater or light can all speed up evaporation.

Humidity is another factor. If the air in your home is dry, water will evaporate more quickly. Generally, relative humidity is lower during the winter months, so you can expect to lose more water then.

Air circulation is another factor. The air directly above a water source is generally the most humid. Air circulation – be it from an open window, your central heating unit, a ceiling fan, or people moving about – moves the humid air, allowing it to be replaced by less humid air. The dryer air will accept more water vapor, increasing evaporation.

Factors That Contribute to Water Evaporation

The specifics of your aquarium setup can also make excessive evaporation more or less likely. Consider, for example, your tank size and shape. Water will evaporate more quickly from a long, low aquarium than it will from a tall, narrow one – even if they hold the same number of gallons. This is due to the surface area of the water. The long, low tank presents a greater area in which the water contacts the air above it.

Lighting is another factor. Remember, evaporation is all about energy – energizing water molecules so that they become a vapor. Aquarium lighting may provide that energy in the form of heat.

Water movement facilitated by filters or bubblers may also cause water molecules to become airborne more quickly.

How to Measure the Amount of Water Lost Due to Evaporation

How much water are you losing to evaporation? Water measurement in aquariums is a part of routine aquarium maintenance that should not be neglected.

How do you measure how much water you’ve lost? You can do so using a measuring cup or ruler. One method is to add water back to the aquarium one cup at a time until it is full again. You can then calculate how many cups of water are lost to evaporation in a given amount of time.

You can, of course, convert this measurement to gallons. In fact, in a large tank, it may be more efficient to use a gallon jug to measure the water replaced.

Another method is using a ruler and marking the water level on the tank. First, make a mark at your full-water line. This will allow you to accurately see how far water levels have been reduced. Measure the water level again and make a mark. Record the distance intween the marks Then, measure the water you replace in cups or gallons. You can then calculate gallons per inch using the following formula:

Measured replacement gallons/Measured length = x/1 inch

Then, you can mark inches or half inches on the side of your tank. As a result, you will know exactly how much water you will need to replace per inch in your aquarium setup.

On average, you can expect one gallon of water loss per week per ten gallons of tank capacity in a dry, low-humidity environment.

Negative Effects of Low Water Levels in a Fish Tank

A little evaporation won’t hurt your fish, especially if you replace water at least once a week. But neglecting to do so can have the following serious effects.

Impact on Fish and Other Aquatic Life

Low water levels can cause fish stress for a number of reasons. Reductions in water levels can change the water parameters in fish tanks. Your fish may encounter reduced oxygen levels or other changes in water quality. For example, if you supplement your aquarium with salt, this mineral does not evaporate with the water. Instead, your fish must deal with an increased concentration of salt until water levels are restored.

Extremely low water levers also result in limited swimming space. The fish may have access to fewer hiding places. They may fight or bully one another.

Either of these stressors can lead to an increased risk of disease

Damage to Equipment and Filters

In addition to harming your fish, low water levels can hurt your equipment as well. Burnout of heaters, filters, and pumps can occur when heater filaments or water intakes are exposed to air rather than being submerged.

Effects on Water Quality

As water levels decrease, you will notice an increased concentration of pollutants and toxins. As noted above, this can harm fish – what they may have had no problem with at low concentrations could be fatal at high concentrations. You may also notice decreased pH levels (an increase in acidity), as waste products become more concentrated.

Ways to Replace Evaporated Water in a Fish Tank

There are several simple methods for restoring your fish tank’s water levels.

Simple Techniques for Adding Water to a Fish Tank

The easiest method is using a bucket or a hose, just as you did when setting up your aquarium. Remember to pour the water in slowly to avoid stirring up debris or shocking your fish with a rapid temperature change. Consider pouring the water into the filter, especially if you use a sump system.

Equipment Needed for Refilling Water

Not to be neglected is the equipment needed for safely refilling aquarium water. Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and other contaminants, making it safe for your fish. You should also use a thermometer to make sure the temperature of the added water is similar to that in the tank. If your replacement water is more than 3 F more or less than your aquarium water, let it sit until it reaches room temperature.

When you replace aquarium water, it can be a good time to do a little housekeeping as well. Before adding new water, use a gravel cleaner to vacuum up loose detritus from the sediment. This will remove additional water, but performing a routine water change at the same time as topping off your aquarium can save time.

Step-by-Step Process for Adding Water to a Fish Tank

Step 1: Turn off all equipment, including heaters, filters, and pumps.

Step 2: Use a gravel vacuum to clean the sediment.

Step 3: Condition the replacement water and check its temperature.

Step 4: Add water slowly to avoid disturbing sediment, decor, or fish.

Step 5: Reconnect your equipment and observe to make sure everything is working properly.

Preventing Water Evaporation in a Fish Tank

You cannot prevent evaporation, but you can take the following steps to reduce it.

Measures That Can Be Taken to Reduce Water Evaporation

Using a lid or cover can reduce the rate of evaporation because it reduces air circulation above the water. The air between the water’s surface and the lid will be humid, limiting how much water can evaporate. Some water vapor will condense on the underside of the lid and drip back into the aquarium.

Next, control your room temperature and humidity. Keep the room comfortable, averaging 70 F. In winter, when humidity levels are lowest, consider using a humidifier to increase indoor humidity.

Direct sun exposure can cause a number of aquarium issues, including evaporation, overheating, and algae growth. Limit exposure to sunlight by moving your aquarium away from a window or installing a curtain or blind.

Best Practices for Maintaining Proper Water Levels in a Fish Tank

Check water levels regularly. At a minimum, do so once per week, but daily checks are best.

Keep an eye on evaporation rates, noting any drastic changes and their possible causes.

Perform regular water changes. Ten to twenty-five percent water changes should be performed weekly, and this is a good time to top off your tank as well.

Tips for Minimizing Water Loss Due to Evaporation

Within the aquarium itself, there are additional measures you can take to minimize water loss. Reduce lighting, especially if your system of choice tends to produce heat. This limits the amount of heat energy available to help water molecules become water vapor.

Adjust water movement within the tank. Some water movement is necessary for proper oxygenation, but if your filter or pump makes “waves” on the surface, this increases the surface area available for evaporation.

If you are very concerned about water loss or you are often away from home, consider using a water top-off system.  These systems employ optical sensors to detect water levels that have dropped too low. When that happens, a refill pump is triggered in an exterior water reservoir. Then, water is pumped into the tank until it reaches the level you have set.

Finally, an easy solution is installing a lid or cover for fish tanks. The lid holds humid water between itself and the water’s surface. This reduces the rate of evaporation, and some of the water may condense on the lid and “rain” back down into the tank.