Optimal Humidity for Reef Aquariums

[TheFishTeen]

Im assuming the optimal humidity for a reef aquarium would be 0% correct? My new tank's filtration will be in the basement and Im wondering if Im going to need to run a dehumidifier. I am not sure what the current average humidity is down there.

 

[110galreef]

Ahhh 100% Humidity = a reef tank w/ water!
0% humidity = a bone dry dead reef tank?

Are you asking what should you keep your basement humidity at?

 

[disc1]

Yeah, definitely keep the reef tank full of water. That said, it will be in equilibrium with the air around it. If left alone with no air circulation, it will take that air to near 100% relative humidity. Especially if the tank is warmer than its surroundings.

The tank doesn't care about the humidity around it. Not at all. Your house on the other hand, as for keeping things mold free, that may be a different story.


Also be aware that a dehumidifier will increase your evaporation rate as the water in the tank tries to maintain equilibrium with the air.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Sorry, I meant the air surrounding the aquarium. So the humidity in the basement can be anything and it won't affect the aquarium except the evaporation rate?

 

[Ron Reefman]

And if the basement is dry (unlikely) the evaporation rate will be high and that can lower the water temp (as can the probably lower temp in the basement as well). That's probably all good stuff. Odds are, the basement is humid and cool, so only a mild influence on the evaporation rate or the water temp.

 

[Reefermandan]

I have the sump in basement and I had do buy a dehumidifier because my basements humidity got to the point that it smelt a little mildewey...I now keep humidity at 35-40% and my wife no longer complains about the smell.

 

[1Fish]

Just an FYI if you have hardwood flooring you will want keep it pretty stable so the flooring doesn't bow or buckle. The humidity will differ from winter to summer same with evaporation

 

[chrisv]

In my experience, fish tank humid makes things seem quite a bit more funky than regular humid.

I would opt for a dehumidifier. Keep in mind that even my little 40 pt/day dehumidifier draws more current than a 400W halide (energy star my a$$). You will want to get a substantially more substantial dehumidifier than a "normal" person would get because you have in effect generated a pool of standing water in your room. If you buy a small dehumidifier, it will run all the time and the cost of operation will be unpleasant.

 

[KafudaFish]

My house is at 47%.

 

[atreis]

I use this one:
Ebac AD850E

High capacity, super efficient, quiet, and reliable. (The ~$250 hardware store ones would run non-stop and typically last only about 1.5 years in my basement. They were also A LOT louder and consumed more than twice as much electric - draw was about the same but they had to run longer to remove the same amount of moisture.)

You want your basement (and the rest of the house) right around 50% humidity. Too low can aggravate asthma and cause other problems. Too high can lead to mold. All of this has little effect on the tank though.

 

[chrisv]

I use this one:
Ebac AD850E

High capacity, super efficient, quiet, and reliable. (The ~$250 hardware store ones would run non-stop and typically last only about 1.5 years in my basement. They were also A LOT louder and consumed more than twice as much electric - draw was about the same but they had to run longer to remove the same amount of moisture.)

You want your basement (and the rest of the house) right around 50% humidity. Too low can aggravate asthma and cause other problems. Too high can lead to mold. All of this has little effect on the tank though.

wow. thats a bit more than $250.

 

[110galreef]

I got an GE energy star rated one last year for my basement. I have a 250g tank, 65g sump and a 40g frag tank all down there. The dehumidifier only cost me $15/mo on the Max side. calculated via a Kill A Watt. Seems more like $10/mo on avg in spring/summer/fall and about nothing in the winter. The evaporation helps humidify the house in the winter. I have it set at 50-55% humidity in the basement. Very easily keeps up. It is a 65pint unit

Here is what I got.
http://www.amazon.com/ADER65LP-Pint-Dehumidifier-Speeds-Circulation/dp/B004U503ZS

Only Con to it is it is somewhat louder than avg. However, mine is in my basement. So not a huge issue.

 

[Indymann99]

My DT + Sump, AND mix tank, AND QT are all in the basement.

Evap will vary based on the humidity level of the surrounding air (this also is affected by temperature of the surrounding air). In my case the basement is typically 68deg.

In the dead of summer and winter my de-humidifier acutally shuts off... and my whole house HUMIDIFIER is adding humidity via the HVAC.

My de-humidifer (it is a $250 LG unit that makes a lot of noise and prob consumes a lot of power for the production) DOES run a LOT in spring and fall.

Also helps to turn your HVAC fan to ON and leave it there 24x7 (vs the AUTO setting that only runs the fan when the system is running). This will help circulate the air in the entire house and even out humidity (and temp) levels.

The pict below I believe is in the winter and shows some pretty LOW humidity levels. I have adjusted my HVAC system, humidifier, and de-humidifier to now keep between 40-50%.

We do still see some gaps in the crown molding trim come and go and some squeeks in the hardwood floor, but pretty minimal.

Mix tank and QT under stairs in unfinished mechanical room.

Basement room

 

[TheFishTeen]

Thanks everyone, the basement is currently getting new walls and flooring. I have a dehumidifier to set up if-need-be.

Tank goes up soon!

 

[atreis]

wow. thats a bit more than $250.

Yes... If it lasts for 8 years, it will have paid for itself.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Yes... If it lasts for 8 years, it will have paid for itself.

How so?