moisture from evaporation

[an411]

Just wondering I have a frag tank set up in my basement and have noticed that there is moisture on the floor and a glass table that I have down there. anyone else have this issue or any way of resolving something like this. The tank is one of those rubbermaid tubs. Any insight would be greatly helpful

 

[Kdocimo90]

Is it dew, from evaporation and condensation?
Maybe the room is real hot?

 

[an411]

I think its from the evaporation and its leaving a condensation. I dont have this problem in my tank upstairs at all. Does being in the basement have anything to do with it. Its cooler down there then it is upstairs. The only other thing I can think of is there isnt many windows open down there. Maybe that will help?

 

[Kdocimo90]

I was just thinking if there were any windows. That was one of my first thoughts, but I could be completely wrong.

 

[Shark Bait100]

You will need to run a dehumidifier in the basement. I would cover the tank also, 50/50 on RC about doing this, something about gas exchange, but destroying my baement is not an option, and I haven't had any trouble since doing that last fall. I have a humidity monitor and keep a watch on it, usually hangs around 40-70 % humidity. In Summer, I open the basement windows, and turn off de-humdifiers. They also sell exhaust fans, similar to bathroom fan but higher ouput, they typically use them in greeh houses. I wouldn't use one unless your humidity stays at 70 and above, you will find your cold water pipes will begin to sweat also, and black mold will soon come.

 

[an411]

Yup that is what I am afraid of did you have this issue before the tank was in the basement? I am wondering if its just tank related cause if so bye bye frag tank not gonna ruin my refinished basement over a fish tank that is for sure

 

[an411]

Also I know that the cost of running a humidifier is not cheap on a monthly basis

 

[Kdocimo90]

is the tank anywhere near the stairs? When our basement would get humid we would point a bunch of fans facing up the stairs to help get the humid air out.

 

[Shark Bait100]

In the spring time, I would get moisture into the basement, but it was not much of an issue, until I added my basement sump and frag tank. Then the pipes began to rain etc etc, that when I got the dehumidifier, and was checking out ventilation fans. What solved my problem was placing thin vinyl sheets over the open tanks, and that kept the moisture down to a manageable amount.

 

[Kdocimo90]

Wouldnt that cause a problem as far as heat in the tank?

 

[Shark Bait100]

No, in the basement, the air temp is a constant 65, so heat is not an issue.

 

[an411]

alright thanks for the help guys gotta decide what to do might have a nice frag setup and a bunch of frags for sale shortly let keep you guys posted if that is what I am goign to do

 

[pecan2phat]

You can also devise an exhaust fan coupled to a humidistat. While it won't eliminate moisture like a humidifier, it still makes the room 80% less humid.