Steps to avoid mold?

[iReefer12]

I’m “planning” a very large 10’ peninsula tank, I use the speech marks as you can also call it day dreaming, it’s something I have thought about for a long time, and semi-planned for a long time, but realistically I can’t see it happening for another couple of years.

Anyway, I was thinking about mold and measures that should be thought out long ahead of the actual build process to avoid it.

The hypothetical 700 gallon tank would sit just 24” under the ceiling which is why I get a bit worried and wanted to ask the experts.

Would it be necessary to replace the ceiling cement board with green board?

Would it be necessary to install a couple of ducts in the area above the tank and blow into the fish room and then have an extractor fan to the outside in the fish room?

Any other things to think about on this subject?

 

[Lingwendil]

Running an actual cover will go a long way to keeping moisture from becoming an issue, many large tanks will run a canopy or similar, with exhausted air going into another room or venting outside. Using oil based exterior rated paint can help as well to give a bit extra protection for the room itself.

Will the equipment be under the tank in a stand, or plumbed to another room?

 

[EmdeReef]

Unless you splash the ceiling and/or drywalls I wouldn’t worry directly. Evaporation will dissipate for as long as RH is within 30-50%.

If you can keep RH between 30-50% you should be ok.

If you live in a high humidity area + usually get high RH indoor, then upgrading your HVAC will
be a must as mold will grow on other walls/surfaces.

 

[siggy]

I have been using Benjamin Moore paints for years, You can mix in a Bio bacteria Blocker

A GREAT CHOICE FOR YOUR
BATHROOM
Aura® Bath And Spa Paint

A super-premium matte paint optimized for humid environments.

 

[iReefer12]

Thanks for the great info.

I’m presuming RH means Real or Room Humidity?

I live in Denver Colorado, so humidity isn’t an issue here, but always want to be on the safe side.

I plan on having a kind of canopy that screens in the tank from the rim to the ceiling, I’d like them to be magnetic so they can be removed and provide as much room to work in the tank as possible.

Most equipment would be in the fish room behind, I would have the sump under the tank and probably an internal skimmer and internal return pump.

It’s years away but I’m thinking ahead to make sure I do it right.

 

[EmdeReef]

Thanks for the great info.

I’m presuming RH means Real or Room Humidity?

I live in Denver Colorado, so humidity isn’t an issue here, but always want to be on the safe side.

I plan on having a kind of canopy that screens in the tank from the rim to the ceiling, I’d like them to be magnetic so they can be removed and provide as much room to work in the tank as possible.

Most equipment would be in the fish room behind, I would have the sump under the tank and probably an internal skimmer and internal return pump.

It’s years away but I’m thinking ahead to make sure I do it right.

Relative Humidity. google curves or even calculators based on indoor temp. As long as you don’t deviate upward too much from that value the risk of mold due to humidity is lower.

 

[iReefer12]

I bought a humidity monitor and will test above my current tank to see what it’s currently like.

I’m thinking 2 ducts and mold resistant paint wouldn’t be a bad thing to do as a precautionary step.

 

[AlexG]

I’m “planning” a very large 10’ peninsula tank, I use the speech marks as you can also call it day dreaming, it’s something I have thought about for a long time, and semi-planned for a long time, but realistically I can’t see it happening for another couple of years.

Anyway, I was thinking about mold and measures that should be thought out long ahead of the actual build process to avoid it.

The hypothetical 700 gallon tank would sit just 24” under the ceiling which is why I get a bit worried and wanted to ask the experts.

Would it be necessary to replace the ceiling cement board with green board?

Would it be necessary to install a couple of ducts in the area above the tank and blow into the fish room and then have an extractor fan to the outside in the fish room?

Any other things to think about on this subject?

Controlling humidity with a tank of this size is something to consider from the start of a build. I have ~1600 gallons of saltwater in my basement and humidity control is something I was thinking about from day one of the build. There are a number of ways to control humidity in a fish room or above a tank. I stick to containment, minimization, and mitigation for humidity control on my system. I would highly recommend containing any excess humidity into a space where it cannot absorb into your home and be mitigated. Here is a video that outlines the humidity control methods I use for my aquarium system.

 

[iReefer12]

Thanks for this! All great info, and very helpful

 

[Erica-Renee]

Running an actual cover will go a long way to keeping moisture from becoming an issue, many large tanks will run a canopy or similar, with exhausted air going into another room or venting outside. Using oil based exterior rated paint can help as well to give a bit extra protection for the room itself.

Will the equipment be under the tank in a stand, or plumbed to another room?

Exterior paint indoors is a SUPER GIANT NO NO... The chemicals will cause you harm and odor that will never go away.



op get a humidity monitor and adjust want you need as you need it.. There are way to many factors for a correct answer..

 

[iReefer12]

Got 2 humidity checkers to monitor above the tank and the fish room.

This is the humidity 12” directly above the tank. Been at this level for the last hour or so. Confused as I thought 27 was low, but the monitor says High.

This is in the fish room