Anyone problem with electrical panel being in the fish room?

[PhreeByrd]

Brew12, an ERV or HRV simply is not a dehumidifier. They do have humidifying and dehumidifying capacities. Depending upon the relative temperatures and humidities of the incoming and outgoing air streams, it can either lower or raise the indoor humidity without regard for the present indoor humidity. It's just the pyschometrics at work, under conditions which are constantly and highly variable. In arid climates which are almost always dry (outdoors), they can indeed help to dry the indoor air. But in humid or highly variable weather areas (which is by far most of the world), this is not the predictable outcome. In theory, and with proper installation, an ERV should supply air with temperature and humidity somewhere between the values of the incoming and outgoing air. This does not mean that it will reduce indoor humidity all the time or at the times when this is needed, and may in fact increase the indoor humidity when the desired effect is the opposite.

Our aquarium equipment, by nature, is a big humidifier, constantly adding moisture to the air. Containing this humidity within the aquarium system is the best approach, but as we all know, then issues of gas exchange need to be addressed. Letting the equipment breathe can solve the gas exchange issues, but the result is overly moisture-laden air. Condensing the moisture out of the air is, for most people, the chosen solution, either by air conditioning or by dedicated dehumidification.

If I was building from scratch (a whole new system in new construction), I would most definitely design-in a way to keep the aquarium system mostly sealed, but with a way to provide 100% outdoor air directly to it to allow the best and most natural gas exchange.

 

[Brew12]

Brew12, an ERV or HRV simply is not a dehumidifier. They do have humidifying and dehumidifying capacities. Depending upon the relative temperatures and humidities of the incoming and outgoing air streams, it can either lower or raise the indoor humidity without regard for the present indoor humidity. It's just the pyschometrics at work, under conditions which are constantly and highly variable. In arid climates which are almost always dry (outdoors), they can indeed help to dry the indoor air. But in humid or highly variable weather areas (which is by far most of the world), this is not the predictable outcome. In theory, and with proper installation, an ERV should supply air with temperature and humidity somewhere between the values of the incoming and outgoing air. This does not mean that it will reduce indoor humidity all the time or at the times when this is needed, and may in fact increase the indoor humidity when the desired effect is the opposite.

Our aquarium equipment, by nature, is a big humidifier, constantly adding moisture to the air. Containing this humidity within the aquarium system is the best approach, but as we all know, then issues of gas exchange need to be addressed. Letting the equipment breathe can solve the gas exchange issues, but the result is overly moisture-laden air. Condensing the moisture out of the air is, for most people, the chosen solution, either by air conditioning or by dedicated dehumidification.

If I was building from scratch (a whole new system in new construction), I would most definitely design-in a way to keep the aquarium system mostly sealed, but with a way to provide 100% outdoor air directly to it to allow the best and most natural gas exchange.

Thank you for the clarification!

I would agree that strictly as a dehumidifier, they would not be the best option. From what I have heard, it is a good option to help maintain pH and will normally reduce humidity while conserving some energy. I have also heard that people who have installed them get less corrosion in the basements/fish room. We often think of evaporation as being pure fresh water but the reality is that there is a little bit of salt that gets carried out with the evaporated water. By venting this outside you replace it with less salty humidity which reduces corrosion.

If I do install an ERV it will not tie into my home HVAC system. Strictly flow into and out of my aquarium space. The inside humidity isn't an issue for me during the summer when we see our very high humidity outdoors since my HVAC runs so much. It only becomes a problem in the winter, spring, and fall when outdoor humidity is low.

 

[PhreeByrd]

I think the best benefit of an ERV in a fish room is for the higher concentration of fresh air... provided that the HVAC system has enough capacity to handle the added loads.

 

[AtlCPA]

Spoke to my LFS who is going to help me with the install and they said it would not be a problem. They have been in business 30 years, installed many, many tanks and have never seen that be an issue.

They said they would gladly sell me a tank and stand and set it up somewhere else, but they didn’t think being in a room that size with the HVAC, etc would be an issue.

SWEET! Project is back on

 

[PhreeByrd]

Not trying to rain on the parade, AtlCPA, but are you saying you're going to take the word of a pet retailer for advice regarding your home's electrical and HVAC systems?

 

[AtlCPA]

Not trying to rain on the parade, AtlCPA, but are you saying you're going to take the word of a pet retailer for advice regarding your home's electrical and HVAC systems?

I’m taking the word of my own experience with past tanks, multiple people in this thread, my contractor has never thought it would be an issue, and my LFS who said they would gladly put the tank somewhere else, but they’ve never seen any problems with the set up I’ve laid out.

Of course you never know, but I feel comfortable enough now to proceed with the project.

Thanks for everyone’s input.

 

[alton]

There was a fish store in Bulverde Texas that used a commercial dehumidifier mounted on the back wall of the store above a sink. It was amazing how much moister/water it pulled from the store. The ceiling tiles stayed perfect and never drooped down like you see in most fish stores.