Would You Insulate Your Fish/Sump Room?

[drummereef]

I'm working on the sump room for my 180g tank build, which is located in the basement. One wall is framed on an exterior wall of the basement. Question is.... would you insulate this wall knowing the potential threat of mold issues from the high water volume in this room?

I am taking all the necessary precautions as well... exhaust fan on dehumidistat, return and supply venting from HVAC, running a dehumidifyer, etc.....

 

[kgross]

I would insulate and put a vapor barrier so you do not get the mold inside of the of the walls. That with venting to the outside, a dehumidifyer and good Ac should work very well. The only other suggestion I would have for you is to put in a separate AC unit in the fish room. You may need cooling in that room when you do not need it in the whole house. A larger window unit, or even better a small mini-split would work great in a fish room.

Kim

 

[Shark Keeper]

My 180 (280g total water volume) is located in the basement and I insulated with a vapor barrier. I also have a dehumidifier and AC unit in that room.

May seem like a lot but that is what was recommended by the HVAC specialist that I had advising me when I built the room since there were no ducts to that area of the basement for ventilation. The AC is a free standing unit that is direct vented outside.

Works great for me!

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13043654#post13043654 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shark Keeper
My 180 (280g total water volume) is located in the basement and I insulated with a vapor barrier. I also have a dehumidifier and AC unit in that room.

May seem like a lot but that is what was recommended by the HVAC specialist that I had advising me when I built the room since there were no ducts to that area of the basement for ventilation. The AC is a free standing unit that is direct vented outside.

Works great for me!

What kind of vapor barrier did you use? Was it just Kraft faced insulation bat? I am under the impression for my area (st. louis) that the use of a plastic vapor barrier can be detrimental as it will trap moisture behind the wall and cause molding of the insulation.

 

[Shark Keeper]

I wish I could remember now. I went to a company that insulates houses and they told me what to use. Contact a local company in your area and they should be able to direct you.

 

[das75]

All exterior walls should be insulated with a vapour barrier.

And if you insulate you need a vapour barrier as if not you condensate in the insulation, or the insulation will wick the moisture off the walls).

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13046286#post13046286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by das75
All exterior walls should be insulated with a vapour barrier.

And if you insulate you need a vapour barrier as if not you condensate in the insulation, or the insulation will wick the moisture off the walls).

Yes, I'm aware of the insulation wicking moisture, but in my area of the States (relatively high humidity in summer) using a plastic vapor barrier is known to trap moisture between the wall causing problems. It's mostly recommended in my area to use only Kraft faced bats to allow air to flow through the insulation. My question is if it's really necessary to insulate at all? Especially if my basement stays relatively cool throughout the year.

 

[kgross]

My question is if it's really necessary to insulate at all? Especially if my basement stays relatively cool throughout the year.

Is it necessary. NO it is not necessary, if you do not want to do it, don't do it, there are no codes that say you have to insulate a sump/tank room. If you want to keep the humidity out of the rest of the house, you should put in some type of a vapor barrier and something to remove the humidity, but again it is up to you as to what you do. Normally a sump/tank room runs very hot and humid, if you use the whole house AC to keep it cool, you will have the temp in the rest of the house quite a bit lower unless you have very large vents in your sump/tank room. If you do a separate AC and dehumidifier in the sump/tank room, you will not have to fight the temp in the rest of the house to keep it comfortable while keeping your sump/tank room cool enough. If you use the whole house AC, you will also be increasing the humidity of the house when it runs. Plus in the winter time, you might still need cooling in the sump/tank room, while the rest of the house needs heat.

kim

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13046539#post13046539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kgross
My question is if it's really necessary to insulate at all? Especially if my basement stays relatively cool throughout the year.

Is it necessary. NO it is not necessary, if you do not want to do it, don't do it, there are no codes that say you have to insulate a sump/tank room. If you want to keep the humidity out of the rest of the house, you should put in some type of a vapor barrier and something to remove the humidity, but again it is up to you as to what you do. Normally a sump/tank room runs very hot and humid, if you use the whole house AC to keep it cool, you will have the temp in the rest of the house quite a bit lower unless you have very large vents in your sump/tank room. If you do a separate AC and dehumidifier in the sump/tank room, you will not have to fight the temp in the rest of the house to keep it comfortable while keeping your sump/tank room cool enough. If you use the whole house AC, you will also be increasing the humidity of the house when it runs. Plus in the winter time, you might still need cooling in the sump/tank room, while the rest of the house needs heat.

kim

All valid points kim.

I've been told by some paint guys that sealing the walls/ceiling with an alkyd primer and using a high quality kitchen and bath paint, or even an alkyd top coat, would keep the moisture within the room. Essentially this would be a vapor barrier at the "surface level". I've even been told to use a waterborne epoxy on the walls. What are your thoughts on doing this to ensure no moisture gets through the green board and into the insulation?

 

[das75]

Greenboard itself has water resistance paper (is for damp locations). If your thinking that things are going to be wet, perhaps a cement board is more suited.

All I did in my fish room was construct as a bathroom (not a shower shall) basically greenboard, primer then a kitchen and bath paint.

What is important for a vapour barrier is that it's continuous (seams tape) and any penetrations sealed (vapour caps around electrical boxes etc).

 

[billdogg]

i used driloc on my cement block walls, and then used heavy plastic as additional barrier before i put up the studs, fiberglass insulation, and drywall. the drywall i painted with oilbased paint, and i run a dehumidifier that drains into the AC drain hole. I have had no problems (so far)

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13046915#post13046915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billdogg
i used driloc on my cement block walls, and then used heavy plastic as additional barrier before i put up the studs, fiberglass insulation, and drywall. the drywall i painted with oilbased paint, and i run a dehumidifier that drains into the AC drain hole. I have had no problems (so far)

How much water volume do you have in your sump room?

 

[nyvp]

I used fiberboard sold at HD works great with oil based paint

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13047201#post13047201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
I used fiberboard sold at HD works great with oil based paint

Can you give me a link to the product? Sounds interesting.