humidity and large tanks

[griffithimage]

Hi, I building a plywood tank in my basement and I haven't made a final decision on the dimensions yet but it will be in the 240 - 300 gallon range. I was wondering what people's experience was with humidity and mould on tanks this large.

Any problems?

My foundation is cement so drilling an outside exhaust is not really an option.

 

[TIMMYE]

You basement foundation is cement, but on top of that should be the rim board that starts the joist for the first floor and that should be wood. I would try and get something out of the house for a fan, or go with a Air to Air exchanger which will cost the most but will do the best job.

 

[Baggerhog]

Can you post a link to an air to air exchanger? I am setting up a 500 gallon in my basement.

 

[reeftank21]

I just bought a dehumidifier from Costco.com. Quiet and works great

 

[Kent E]

Google HRV, heat recovery ventilator.

 

[tgunn]

You're in Canada, so you're subject to the oh so wonderful weather than I am...

I run a 140g tank with a 100g sump in the basement. The first winter I set up the tank was horrible. The tank brought the humidity in the house up to 70% (was 30% the previous winter). All of the triple pane windows were sweating which did a number on the wooden frames. I also had mould growing on a wall in a closet.
NOT fun at all. I tried just having a bathroom exhaust fan (110 CFM) in my fish room where the sump is, and it helped a bit, but dumping so much warm air outside made a noticeable impact on my heating bill.

I installed an HRV (heat recovery ventilator), and now the humidity in my house is 30% once again. No window sweating, no mould, no mildew.

I installed a vanee HRV1001 (http://www.vanee.ca/res-air-exchangers-gold.php).

I installed it myself. I used two existing vents on the side of the house that were for bathroom fans (in my installation the HRV replaces all the bathroom fans). I just rented a demo-drill from Rona and made the holes through the foundation larger:

THe HRV sits beside the furnace: