Household Humidity Concerns from 400 Gals or so...

[bmb527]

Also, it is more than likely mildew, not mold. Mildew is much more common and it is also easier to get rid of. If it is something that just started recently, with the addition of a tank or other moisture source, I would guess it is mildew.

 

[aqua_obs]

Thanks for the help and I hope that helped the concerns of the original post too! I'll print this out for future reference. I hate the thought of painting my wood windows. I should have just gotten plastic at that point... Maybe the paint experts will have a stain/cover that will have a mildew resitance.

THanks again.

 

[roguemonk]

I'm still tuned in! I think my problem is minor as the only time there is significant condensation is when the outside temperature dips into the single digits and below, and only right around windows and doors. I think I can mitigate with fans but I will measure humidity in all areas when I receive the meter and will take whatever measures are needed (I may post an update at that point in case anyone's interested or has further suggestions once I know more).

Thanks,

Brad

 

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11497981#post11497981 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tkeracer619
If I could figure out how to mount these in vertical split windows I would probably buy one and maybe another if it worked well. I havent actually used one of these but have shopped a lot more expensive versions.

Since the air is so dry here these small units might do the trick. I would get one to try out but my windows won't accept it.

http://www.bionaire.com/everfresh.aspx

I did some more digging on these units. Seems they get pretty good ratings. I am going to buy one and see what my humidity does. I'll have to make a custom trim plate to mount it in my window frame....

Anyone want to place bets? 1300sq ft house, 500gallons inside, avg humidity 45% with 8gpd dehumidifier on 24/7. Humidity inside ranges from 30% to mid 60's. (it's 37% outside and 43% inside right now). I don't want to run the dehumidifier 24/7.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[wstellwagen]

I had a 400 pkus 4 90's plus about 400 sumps in a large basement fish room furnace in another room
One vent in fish room furnace rusted out and vents all over house started to rust.Got rid of 400 and sumps . problem solved.

Walt

 

[bmb527]

One thing to consider is it isn't so much the humidity that is the problem. It is between 50 and 100% humidity in Louisiana where I lived 100% of the time. You need to create airflow more than anything. Just think of the mildew the same as Cyano in your tank. More water flow, less cyano issues. As I said before, with the humidity we had down south, between central air and a couple fans moving air, the only mildew/mold problems we had is where air cannot flow, i.e. dresser drawers and closets. The bathrooms are difficult as well, my wife was on it with Tilex bathroom cleaner and we wiped problem areas down every day or so to keep condensation from accumulating, in addition to plenty of air flow. It is a pain and it sucks, but just think, at least we in CO don't have to worry about algae and moss growing on the siding of our house! My tan house in LA turned green if I didn't spray it off every week or 2. Another story though!
Bill

 

[roguemonk]

Good points. I am sure it is mainly a problem around the windows and doors where there is some exchange with outside air and when it is very cold outside we reach the dew point in those areas. I measured today and the RH near our french doors was a little higher than upstairs, but less than outside, which suggested that some humidity is actually coming in from outside. I'll measure the crawlspace next to see whether I do have any significant problems there. I'll also go in and make sure there's no condensation anywhere but I'm about 90% sure there's not.

In the end I think some fans will be in order during cold weather to circulate air around the windows and doors.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[roguemonk]

My crawlspace is at 50% RH which is in line with what is in the rest of the house, so I think the air circulation is healthy and there is no "swamp" down there. I'll still visually confirm the lack of condensation or mildew on the wood as I don't want to let that go if it is happening.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[eleben]

Not to take over the thread but how about this scenario....

Some background:

-90 gallon tank with a canopy (front, sides and top cover - back is open)

-tank sits in the dining room (open to kitchen, living room, entry way) of a single level apt roughly 1100sq ft

-The apt is on a concrete slab - no basement

-mold growing on the ceiling above the sliding patio door in 2nd bedroom*
-mold growing in "master" bedroom corner above the baseboard (exterior wall)*

-mold growing in front entry way above door

*see pics in my gallery or click the links below

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/43189Mold1-med.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/43189Mold2-med.JPG


At most I have seen a gallon a day for evaporation - I live in Wisconsin so the air is quite dry during the winter.

Anyone think our mold issue is from the aquarium or caused by higher humidity?