A little engineering support for upgrade

[Meers]

Hi Everyone,

Was uncertain where to start my thread since am about to upgrade my 100 gallons to something in the range of 150-220. Thus perhaps a large aquarium, perhaps just a large averaged size one...

But, prior to this decision, there is an engineering, architectural decision to which I would appreciate some experienced advise in order to work on the blueprints. First of all I live in Austria, where Winter temperatures can drop to close to 0ºF (-15º Celsius) and average on 0º C (5ºF) for 3 months per year. House is old and lacks proper ventilation able to recover heat, thus air tends to accumulate H2O and CO2... We plan to install such system, but up till then and afterwards, I would like to have the aquarium itself insulated from the rest of the house. This should have fix a few problems, experienced and other guessed:
- Humidity issues in the house
- CO2 levels in the aquarium
- Temperature issues in summer (in fact Winters are cold, Summers can reach up to 104ºF)

I am planning to acomplish this insulation by having the aquarium built inside a closet and to have this closet ventilated / AC. The room where the aquarium will stand is small (about 12 square meters) and will have large amounts of books, since it is also my work office. This book/aquarium is obviously not a good combination, but gathers 2 of my hobbies in a single location, thus making it my favourite room.

This winter the room experinced high levels of humidity that resulted in mold in the walls and books. This has forced a full repair of the room and a good excuse for the upgrade, :), but also caused some damage to the books. :(

Planning to use hybrid T5/leds, thus temperature raise caused by lighting should be minimal.

Requirements for the project would be:
- Resolve the above stated issues
- Result in a low CO2 emission profile (save the environment and some extra cents for the fish...)
- Have fun with it!

Sooooo, suggestions on how to ventilate and keep temperatures under control year long on that small chamber are welcome.

Will start working on some ideas myself and draw some diagrams for the upgrade soon and will post them here.

Cheers

 

[CastAway]

Tagging along.

I might suggest a dehumidifier for the room. If you run a protein skimmer, you might consider a CO2 scrubber on the air intake. I think confined spaces and a lack of outside air, be it hot or cold, are the enemy of any aquarium.

I use conventional aquarium heaters on a controller, and a large fan. I find that no matter how hot the ambient room temperature may be, the fan and evaporative cooling, is very effective.

 

[reefwiser]

Dehumidifier is your best choice they make large ones for industrial use . I had a couple when I had a basement system.

 

[Meers]

Thank you CastAway and reefwiser. Never tried a dehumidifier. Aren't they quite energy intensive? My idea was to have a hole made to the outside and have the air renewed using forced ventilation. What issues do you think this could cause beside the temperature control?

 

[reefwiser]

You will bring in any pesticide that any one uses outside. The dehumidifier will keep the air in the basement dry

 

[CastAway]

You will bring in any pesticide that any one uses outside. The dehumidifier will keep the air in the basement dry

Agreed. This is always on my mind even when, in the seasons (spring and fall), I open the windows to ventilate and raise my pH.

 

[Meers]

To be honest it is something I never though about. We were living in a flat on the 11th floor in the city till recently, so that was not really a problem. Now that we moved to the countryside that could be something to take into account. But I have been keeping the window open day and night for the last 2 or 3 months and have not noticed any issues. I guess it is still better to check what are the regulations and practices regaring pesticides in Austria. How do you manage with your dehumidifier? Has to be emptied regularly? Is it connected directly to the sewage? Do you have any tricks or tips to share? Thanks!

 

[reefwiser]

When I had it running I had it in a basement and just had a hose running from the collection basin to the drain in the basement floor.
Don't know how homes are built in Austria.:) But running a line to the drain would be best case for it.