Anyone problem with electrical panel being in the fish room?

[AtlCPA]

Building house with a 300g DD in the wall. Will do a build thread once we get going.

I’ve done tons of planning, but last night had a thought that concerned me.

The fish room is also the mechanical room with the HVAC systems, security panel, and two electrical panels.

It’s a good size room, about 20 x 20.

Is the moisture going to be a problem for the electrical panel? I’m going to run a dehumidifier, but is that going to be enough?

 

[Brew12]

Building house with a 300g DD in the wall. Will do a build thread once we get going.

I’ve done tons of planning, but last night had a thought that concerned me.

The fish room is also the mechanical room with the HVAC systems, security panel, and two electrical panels.

It’s a good size room, about 20 x 20.

Is the moisture going to be a problem for the electrical panel? I’m going to run a dehumidifier, but is that going to be enough?

I would worry more about the HVAC system. You will have a very corrosive environment unless you have high air exchange. It likely won't cause problems for at least a few years, but I suspect you will have long term issues. Even tools left in a fish room will rust fairly quickly.

 

[ca1ore]

I have had my sump and ancillary tanks in my boiler room for 20 years, and there has been no material degradation of water tank, boiler, or electrical panels. Clearly you want to prevent physical splashing of tank water onto any equipment (that's common sense), and I designed the tank system in that room to be low-splash to reduce any aerosolized salt water, but beyond that normal humidity management (air exchange when the weather permits; dehumidifier/AC when it does not).

 

[themcnertney]

Brew12 is right. I had an issue with my HVAC and had to seal all the duct intakes into the room. No issues with my electrical to date.

I had more of an issue when I was running MH lights. Since going LED, I havent seen a significant issue.

 

[AtlCPA]

I’m thinking at a minimum I need good size fan/exchanger vs just a dehumidifier

 

[AtlCPA]

Brew12 is right. I had an issue with my HVAC and had to seal all the duct intakes into the room. No issues with my electrical to date.

I had more of an issue when I was running MH lights. Since going LED, I havent seen a significant issue.

I don’t think there are any intakes in that room. You mean return vents, right.

I’ll have to double check but I don’t think there are any in that room.

 

[themcnertney]

Yes sorry, return vents. I wasn't quite sure of the terminology there.

 

[AtlCPA]

Yes sorry, return vents. I wasn't quite sure of the terminology there.

Ha, me neither but we were on the same page.

 

[Awesome Dennis]

How far away is the panel going to be from the closest open tank? I've got my 50gal RODI sealed storage container a couple feet to the side of the panel with the mixing barrel below the storage container. Don't forget your GFI outlets for anything closer than 6 feet minimum.

 

[AtlCPA]

The panel is 10-12 feet away from the tank.

My mixing station would be much closer, like yours I guess

 

[Brew12]

I'm not lucky enough to have a fish room, but if I did, I would install an HRV/ERV for the space. Not only will that solve humidity and corrosion issues, but it will also help with pH.

 

[Awesome Dennis]

Either a humidifier or and exhaust fan with a humidity control switch. My basement is slightly damp to start and we had been using a dehumidifier prior to the tanks (60g and 10g).
Your going to have way more volume of water so I can't help you there.

 

[AtlCPA]

Is the only real down side to the dehumidifier the monthly cost of running it? If that’s the case I may start with that and go from there

 

[Stigigemla]

I have exhaust fans and dehumidifier thats only working in the winter, They heat a lot.
They make about 8 liters a day (thats about 200 watts) + they take 200 watts the hours they go. They are set to work over 50% relative humidity.
Nearly all electricity is on the roof and i have no problems at all with salt creeps on the electricity. Tools rust. Secateurs and polygrip pliers rust. But they have been wet - cutting corals. I believe some salt remains in pores even if i dip them in osmosis water.

 

[Ashton8806]

In florida non insulated HVAC units that are in the garage (unconditioned space) can rust out in few years due to the high humidity and temperature differential (condensation forms). It's happening to mine as we speak. However, as mentioned ventilating the space should go a long way. I wouldn't worry about the electrical panel. You could always put a seal around the panel door if toy really wanted. But again, my electrical panel is in the garage of my florida home. No issues so far.

 

[AtlCPA]

Thanks everyone

 

[PhreeByrd]

Yes, the humidity in this room will be a major concern. That's the good news, though. The bad news is that it's almost impossible to know how much of a problem it will be. We can't know every detail about your setup or the ventilation of this room, so making any recommendations for you is just throwing darts in the dark.
If you are committed to using this room as your fish room (and have no other options), then go ahead and get started setting up. Get a good quality gauge (or gauges) for humidity and temperature. Start monitoring and recording the readings now, at least a couple times per day (same times every day). Do this for at least a couple of weeks. Then set everything up. Continue monitoring and recording for at least a couple of months. Post your readings or send me a PM and I'll help you decide what you need to deal with the excess moisture.
Be warned that household grade dehumidifiers are generally junk, and all dehumidifiers are expensive to run. The advice to install an HRV or ERV is misguided. These systems will not address the issues you'll be facing.
You cannot seal an electrical panel against humidity. It's just not possible.
The potential corrosion of an electrical panel is not the only issue you'll be dealing with. You also have the prospect of mold and mildew in your HVAC system, so you want to get this right and prevent these issues.

 

[Brew12]

The advice to install an HRV or ERV is misguided. These systems will not address the issues you'll be facing.

Can you expound on this? I know a few people who use them successfully for fish room applications. I have considered installing a small one for my home office. What are your concerns?

 

[AtlCPA]

Dern it, now I’m getting worried about this entire project.

I need to talk to the electrician and the hvac contractor.

 

[AtlCPA]

I went by the construction in progress today and I could close in the area I believe. There’s all kinds of duct work in there, but I could close it in and still have 8 for ceiling in that room.

I thinking that’s what I’m going to have to do. More expense of course, but a lot cheaper than having hvac or electrical problems.