humidity = mold

[RogerWilco357]

well I have 2 tanks in the basement and need to cut down the humidity which is causing mold what is the best way to do so simply add A dehumidifier if so what is the best setting so it is not running all day taking the tank's water? what method do you use? Wish I had A fish room with built in exhaust fan..

 

[Murfman]

Two choices, install an air exchanger or run the dehumidifier. The DH is not going to take the tanks water, just what is in the air. I run a small one in my fish room because, when it gets real cold here in Colorado, the humidity freezes to the walk out door and doggie door in the basement. Summer time it is not needed as we are single digit humidity out here.

 

[Electrobes]

Can you not install an exhaust fan with duct to get that humidity outside? I would think the dehumidifier would run for the majority of the day if that many tanks are in close quarters like that..

 

[CJO]

You'll probably have to run the dehumidifier a lot to keep up with the tank, not much way to get around it.

CJ

 

[Kbra]

Im going to run an exhaust fan on my canopy to that will kick on when humidity gets to high in there and send it outside...

 

[melev]

You absolutely must install a vent fan to take moist air out of the basement all the time. I've been to a home that had three big aquariums in the basement, and the entire foundation of the house was at risk. The finished basement was soaking wet and the floors were buckling due to all that moisture. The owner was planning to add an air conditioner, but I strongly urged him to add several vent fans immediately to alleviate the problem.

With ventilation, you shouldn't have mold issues. You may find that that occasionally you can switch them off, but I would expect them to be running around the clock for most of the year.

 

[SunnyX]

You absolutely must install a vent fan to take moist air out of the basement all the time. I've been to a home that had three big aquariums in the basement, and the entire foundation of the house was at risk. The finished basement was soaking wet and the floors were buckling due to all that moisture. The owner was planning to add an air conditioner, but I strongly urged him to add several vent fans immediately to alleviate the problem.

With ventilation, you shouldn't have mold issues. You may find that that occasionally you can switch them off, but I would expect them to be running around the clock for most of the year.

Hey Marc, any recommendations on vents? I'm looking for one.

Sonny

 

[Michael7979]

My Dehumidifier has a setting on it so when the humidity reaches that point it kicks on, (similar to a tank heater), and once you find your number you shouldn't have a problem. I have been using one for about 2 years now.
Also anytime you can vent air from the outside....... you can turn off the DH too.

 

[SunnyX]

I run a DH but it still isn't enough. I need to find a decent venting unit for my basement. If anyone has a link to something from lowes or HD please let me know.

Sonny

 

[Crooks]

I need a vent fan also but I am more worried about finding a humidity switch for it anyone know where I should look for one of those.

 

[nixer]

i must say that if you have mold in your basement the tank wasnt the problem, but more than likely added to an issue that was already building.

i dont think any of you have quite as many tanks running in the basement as i do. i have 6 running current and ive had as many as 11.
one would have to quesion the construction and how much the walls themselves sweat.

 

[CoralBandit]

I think the tanks themselves can contribute significantly, my home is not damaged at all but my canopy has a considerable amount of mildew accumulating where the minute splashes are from the vortech, return and lights. I clean it every few months by taking my canopy outside and letting Mr Sun nuke it

 

[Electrobes]

So what's the decision boss... go for gold and find a way to get that vent, or go crazy with dehumidifiers? Melev has not scared me into forcing a vent fan should I ever get a sump. ;)

 

[CJO]

For the humidity switch, you just need a humidistat. It is much easy to maintain a vent than a portable dehumidifier since you have to empty them out fairly often.

CJ

 

[melev]

Hey Marc, any recommendations on vents? I'm looking for one.

Sonny

Last time I used a Broan that was 1 Sone (that's the sound level, or lack thereof) and this time it's a different brand but the same type. Here is what I installed about a month ago, with pictures. Fishroom Vent Fan - Blogs - Reef Addicts

 

[SunnyX]

Last time I used a Broan that was 1 Sone (that's the sound level, or lack thereof) and this time it's a different brand but the same type. Here is what I installed about a month ago, with pictures. Fishroom Vent Fan - Blogs - Reef Addicts

You are the man, Marc!!!!! :D :D :D

 

[melev]

You are the man, Marc!!!!! :D :D :D

If you subscribe to my blog entries over on RA, you'll never miss a tidbit like that again. :)

Or you can ask me for stuff, I"ll dig it up and post the link like today. hehe

I need to get all the tank documentation up on Melev's Reef at some point too.

 

[SunnyX]

If you subscribe to my blog entries over on RA, you'll never miss a tidbit like that again. :)

Or you can ask me for stuff, I"ll dig it up and post the link like today. hehe

I need to get all the tank documentation up on Melev's Reef at some point too.

ha ha ok, I just registered on RA. Ra is a wealth of knowledge!

 

[melev]

It'll only get better with time. Like my reef. 1smile1

 

[SunnyX]

This here looks very cool: Glass Block basement remodeling window fan home improvement basement waterproofing basement finishing Pittsburgh corning windows basement ideas electric fans window fans flood damage mold mildew International Product Supply K.I.G. thermovent therm-o-

My tank is only a couple feet away from the basement window so this would work. Only problem is that these are probably load. And best of all, they are local to me n Troy MI which would help the OP Roger as he lives down the street from me. :D