Humidity Problems

PirateToast

PirateToast

New member
Not really new to the hobby, but wasn't sure where to post this.

Does anyone else have problems with humidity in the home that might be tank related? I've noticed my windows and doors sweat really bad in the winter, and I feel like it has to be due to all the water from the tank. Any suggestions on how to beat that?
 
PirateToast said:
Not really new to the hobby, but wasn't sure where to post this.

Does anyone else have problems with humidity in the home that might be tank related? I've noticed my windows and doors sweat really bad in the winter, and I feel like it has to be due to all the water from the tank. Any suggestions on how to beat that?
Click to expand...

I do sometimes in my basement ..

Here is my Cheap solution..

I take two 5 gallon buckets one is drilled full of holes on the bottom with a piece of hard screen over the holes to prevent small piece of salt from falling thru Cut the center of a bucket lid out allowing the bucket for the salt to sit on top the lid . fill the top bucket about 1/4 full of rock salt. within a few days the salt starts to dissolve and the damp basement will dry out

You can also add a few pieces of charcoal or carbon to rid any mildew smell.
I seen someone do this in there living space instead of buckets they used planters that looked very nice..
here is a image.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/43/3c/e7/433ce7698f12db20520ef228463d2f58.jpg
 
Thats going to happen with humid interior air in the winter hitting the cold glass..
Either remove some of the humidity or prevent it from hitting the glass.. The later is tough :)

Our bedroom gets like that because of showers.. But I don't have enough evap in my smaller tank now to get it near that..
 
I cover my windows with plastic made for Windows in the winter. Hair dryer tightens up the plastic so much you don't even know it's there.
 
johnike said:
Tagging along.
Anyonhe run a dehumidifier all year around in colder climates?
Click to expand...

i have a Friend that has a hydroponics system in there basement up north that runs a huge one

They used to use the rock salt method before there business ahh humm for lack of words without getting in trouble i will stop typing :blown:
 
We have cold, dry air here in the winter, so the extra moisture is welcomed. I have more humidity trouble in the summer, but the AC pulls most of it out.
 
When i converted my garage i had a passive airvent put in place quite high up with a sponge inside that lets moisture through but stops cold air rushing in. It keeps the humidty at reasonable levels, currently at 63%.

1171786a9a2c91d71472a3392df88cae.jpg
bebb54a602fd3b2c4d46c6ab52eb63c8.jpg
 
I keep a dehumidifier set to 70% in the same room as my tank. If I don't I get major humidity problems. Like you, I had windows and doors sweating. Since keeping the dehumidifier in the room I don't have any more issues.
 
johnike said:
Thanks Tony.
Probably picking one up this week.
Click to expand...

We have a really damp basement BEFORE i put the sump down there. So now we run a dehumidifer all year in the basement and run a humidifier in the living space upstaris for the winter.

Its a weird house :lmao:
 
My house gets so dry from the heat in the winter, that i welcome the issue you're having. Your sinuses will thank you!
 
I'm going to try out a larger dehumidifier as well. Now I'm just wondering where to put it. The tank is in the basement, but I don't notice humidity problems down there, the 1st and 2nd floors are really bad though, and that's where I'm worried about the damage. I guess if I run it in the basement though, it will fight the source of the problem.

Also, dumb thought by me. I was worried that the dehumidifier would harm the tank by evaporating it too fast... obviously I'm not a scientist.
 
PirateToast said:
I'm going to try out a larger dehumidifier as well. Now I'm just wondering where to put it. The tank is in the basement, but I don't notice humidity problems down there, the 1st and 2nd floors are really bad though, and that's where I'm worried about the damage. I guess if I run it in the basement though, it will fight the source of the problem.

Also, dumb thought by me. I was worried that the dehumidifier would harm the tank by evaporating it too fast... obviously I'm not a scientist.
Click to expand...

Well is your Display Tank on the main floor without a canopy or lid and thats why you are having the issues on the main floor?

Also dont put the dehumidifier right next to the tank, give it some space. Then you make sure there arent any actual problems with evap the sump too quickly.
 
We have about 450 gallons of total volume in the basement. Humidity problem only happen in the warmer months. We originally ran a large dehumidifier with continuous drain. It ran 24/7 through out the summer. Last early summer the dehumidifier failed and it was very unpleasant in the basement (around 85-90%). Luckily, it was under warranty and got a new replacement shipped within a week. Otherwise mold would begin to grow in the basement. After the humidifier failure, I decided to install a exhaust vent with build-in humidity sensor in the fish room. During the last few summer months, the basement is around 50-60% humidity. Also, notice the new dehumidifier ran much less frequent as before.
 
It's a dry cold here in Pittsburgh in the winter. My house is around 30% humidity, so the tank is actually nice in helping keep it up a bit. I think I may ned to upgrade from my 65g to a 220 or so to help a bit more...I wonder if I can convince the wife we need a bigger tank instead of wasting money on an unsightly humidifier. haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
New- skimmer question
Replies
3
Views
1K
Guygettnby
Guygettnby
E
What's Old is New Again
Replies
2
Views
393
Uncle99
Uncle99
newsalt
Aqua Illumination SOL Blue problem
Replies
2
Views
72
oreo57
oreo57
R
Getting back into the hobby.
Replies
3
Views
3K
Cjs305510
C
Q
Which mini snail for artemia tank?
Replies
2
Views
98
griss
griss
Back
Top