Those with 400G+ tanks - humidity problems?

[dogofwar]

I have a 50+ tank fishroom in my basement and control humidity / water damage by covering tanks (and sumps) and with small circulating fans blowing on ducts and other places where condensation might occur.

Matt

[creativityasaweapon]

We've been running our 400 without lids for about a month and haven't seen any problems yet. Then again, we're in the dead of winter here but the tank is in the basement where it's about 56F and the tank is around 74-76. I have yet to see any condensation on the walls or pipes. The guy we bought it from didn't run lids either and kept discus in it at around 84F year round and didn't run into any problems. He also had a 350, 140, and four 75s and didn't have any mold problems. Humidity? definitely, but it didn't cause problems. Once again, we are talking northern WI here and it stays dry for most of the year, but we have some wicked seasons here both ways.

[Drstrangelove]

http://www.ecometrex.com/moisture.htm

I would read this especially the links as they have a nice map of the US Canada for reference.

The main thing is that the basement was probably not built with the 600 gallon tank in mind. It might be okay, but it's not a safe bet by any means. If you have exposed wood, paint and concrete or brick, some of which (wood especially) or paint may not have been treated with expectations of high moisture, then the issue is real.

Given that, you can remove the added moisture and possibly add sealants to the wood and paint that are anti-fungal. The break even point for fungal growth is 70% relative humidity (which may be easier to hit in the winter than it seems), and far lower for wood.

On the other hand, keeping the RH under 60% could be something you don't have to worry about. I'd install the tank and just keep a watch on the humidity levels at various spots in the basement. And be prepared to get a dehumidifier.

[aldiaz33]

My 770G with 150G sump is in a small 18x10 unheated pool room. Humidity levels in the Winter are on average around 70% (but at times as high as 80%). When it's really cold (~32F) I get condensation forming on my windows and on my skylights. This would definitely be unacceptable if it was in my house, but in the little pool room, I'm not too worried about it.

I have lids, although there are gaps (they are definitely not air tight). I also have lids on my sump. I would buy a cheap hygrometer (I have this one and am happy with it: http://www.amazon.com/Acu-Rite-Indoo...=humidy+sensor).

If your humidity climbs much above 60%, I would definitely get a dehumidifier.

[Rayne]

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to be adding an exhaust fan in the fish room as well as outside of it and both are going to be controlled by a humidistat.