How do you control in home / tank heat/humidity?

[serpentman]

I've run my 300 (500g system) In-Wall in out basement for the better part a year and a half. I'd procrastinated finishing the trim and front access panel so basically it was open to the rest of the room/house. I never had humidity issues in the main house but the basement was getting problematic as all my tools were rusting, etc. I recently finished the trim and panel, thus effectively sealing the aquarium from the rest of the house and noticed a significant difference.

I use a duct fan to exhaust air outside. I also have a cold air return in the fish room that I open only in the winter. This pulls humid air from the room into the gas furnace where its is "burned" up. What little humidity survives is distributed through the house which is very dry during the winter months.

 

[swjim]

This subject always makes me think of Mr. 4000's painful story a few years back. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...859&perpage=25&highlight=Mr 4000&pagenumber=1

 

[TeamK]

I ran my 150g (255g) system in my house of under 1000 sqf and without Air conditioning. I had so much mold and mildew through out the house that it had to be taken down and every room scrubbed down.

I learned my lesson the hard way. You MUST address humidity issues properly.

 

[tgreene]

It's actually very simple to deal with, but it requires thinking way outside the box... I know, because I went through this over the summer with my new 1200g total volume system.

Would you guys believe me if I told you my fish room averages under 50% humidity..?

All of my walls were covered with mildew resistant drywall, then sealed with FRP board (fiberglass sheeting typically used in commercial kitchens).

It was critically important that the ventilation system not be tied into the household system because of moisture control, so I used a portable AC/Dehumidifier unit that vented externally.

My build thread is here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1819933

Keep in mind that my fish room uses 1/2 my garage. A basement is probably the worst possible fish room location due to the natural tendancy for condensation to take over when it's cold outside and the surrounding earth acting as a heat sync.

-Tim

 

[J.P.Silva]

We all talk about heat & humidity, What about salt water/fish smell, with Big tanks with open top?:fish2:

 

[psykobowler]

I have around 220 total water volume in the first floor of my house but I control humidity by slightly opening a window in the second floor which is inaccessible from the outside. In hot summers, hot air rises and vent out the small opening in the window.

I have a 530 gallon system as well as a frag tank in my garage. I rid it of humidity by slightly opening the garage. The only drawback is the humid air attracts the mosquitoes and enter the opening. I would have to get one of those screen metal doors.

I have ADT and firearms so I am not too worried about the openings.

 

[psykobowler]

We all talk about heat & humidity, What about salt water/fish smell, with Big tanks with open top?:fish2:

I have always had open top. They should not smell at all.

 

[tgreene]

Not at all an issue with my system, since it's in a completely sealed room that only vents outside.

Also OZONE is your friend!

-Tim

 

[malalite]

I've run my 300 (500g system) In-Wall in out basement for the better part a year and a half. I'd procrastinated finishing the trim and front access panel so basically it was open to the rest of the room/house. I never had humidity issues in the main house but the basement was getting problematic as all my tools were rusting, etc. I recently finished the trim and panel, thus effectively sealing the aquarium from the rest of the house and noticed a significant difference.

I use a duct fan to exhaust air outside. I also have a cold air return in the fish room that I open only in the winter. This pulls humid air from the room into the gas furnace where its is "burned" up. What little humidity survives is distributed through the house which is very dry during the winter months.

This is how I am going to do it as well. I will have a Duct Damper on a return with a in duct fan to take the warm moist air from the fish tank room and have it help cut on heating bills. Moisture is not a problem as I have a whole house humidifier as well as 2 gallon humidifier and two fish tanks 125 and 75. I have trouble keeping my humidity above 40% in the winter due to electric heat.
In the summer I have a supercharged bathroom fan that I will have vent to the outside to get excess heat and humidity out. As for having surrounding construction, I am shying away from green board and the like and going to do wedi board. Light finish-able and mold and mildew resistant. http://www.wedi.co.uk/flash.php . I live near Louisville and have very similar weather why would a bathroom exhaust style fan not work in the summer? Heat rises and should be taken out which would make it easier on your air conditioner. You might need a dehumidifier at worst.