Fishtank question
 

I noticed that several of you guys raise fish...

My 30 gallon freshwater tank has finally stabilized.... all fish are healthy, and growing. I havent lost a fish in a few months now.
The fish are all Barbs...Tigers, Green, Orange and Tangerine stripped...cool fish.

The question is that every week the water level dips and I have to add a 2.5 gallon jug of stabilized water. Is this normal? Im assuming that the water loss is evaporation? The tank doesnt leak..

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Yep. A little high, but if you have alot of water 'movement', and enough open spaces on top, then it's possible. It sounds like the fishtank is acting as a humifdifier for your home.

2.5 gal sound a bit hight! My tank only loses around that much in a couple of months. Do you have a cover over the tank - if so does it seal tightly?

There is a cover, but it is very loose...thats probably the reason right there.

If you don't have it in place already, it is a good idea to put a piece of plate glass directly onto the top of the tank, under any existing cover. It is easy enough to take off when you need to work in the tank, but will prevent virtually all evaporation, in the process also protecting your light fittings and stuff. Remember to have holes cut, through which to route tubing, as well as a small hole for feeding.

Good idea Willem. I have a big filter hanging over the side, actually 2 of them... which do not allow for the cover to fit over. The plate glass idea is a good one.

Your setup is then probably exactly the same as mine. After fitting the plate glass, I now only have to top up my tank maybe once every three to four months.

I still have a cover too, which goes over the glass top. I cut this away drastically at the back though to accomodate the filters. Although this improved the "spousal acceptance factor" for the tank in general, I personally feel an aquarium looks best with a glass top only, and lighting provided by drop down lights suspended from above.