Top Off water?

[Nano#9]

I guess i will just be using distilled water to top off my tank since i don't have the machine to make my own filtered water to use for top offs. My question is should i be using some kinda buffer to get PH up to normal level? or what should i be adding to my top off water?
Also in a days time i loose close to a gallon a day (24hrs) in evap., guess maybe b/c i'm running topless? is this normal? guess it is since i have no leaks! i will be investing in a ATO system to keep up with the evap.

Thanks for any input/replies!

 

[reefman23]

I have a 20L with a 20L sump, both topless, and I too use about a gallon a day.

You definitely want to use a buffer to get the pH, and even the alkalinity, right. This will help to keep your main tank more stable.

Jesse

 

[drty811]

distilled water will be fine for top offs. i personally dont add anything to my top off water but you can use a pH buffer to raise it. your evap is normal, especially since your topless. your house or a;t. is probably really dry thats why your evap is high. i go through a gallon every three days. my ATO was the best thing i have gotten for my tank. HTH