Ceiling over tank?

[iReefer12]

I’m planning a large 10’x4’ aquarium. The canopy will go all the way to the ceiling, I plan on installing a fan to pull humid air out of that space, but a concern I have is the humidity causing mold on the ceiling. Should I consider pulling out that section of ceiling and replacing with green board? Or some other water resistant drywall?

What’s the consensus, I’ll only get one shot and want to do it right the first time.

 

[Projects with Sam]

If you’re pulling out the moisture, exterior paint should be fine. I’m no pro though

 

[polyppal]

in co I don’t foresee a big issue. I’d vent it from the sides of the canopy not aiming up at the ceiling. Like @Projects with Sam said normal house paint should protect fine (preferably a glossy coating)

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Go a step further and install a bathroom exhaust fan on the cieling?

 

[Woodyman]

It's all going to be dependent on how much humidity and how well the venting is done.

I can't speak for Colorado, but a quality exterior paint as Sam pointed out should suffice, and as polyp said I'd do side vents (multiple).

For paint I'd also recommend one of the Rust-Oleum marine paints.

All that said going with the green board and properly installed water proofing would always be the safest option, but it's probably not required in this instance especially with the height involved and rate of evaporation vs air turnover/exchange.

 

[gibbers]

I’m planning a large 10’x4’ aquarium. The canopy will go all the way to the ceiling, I plan on installing a fan to pull humid air out of that space, but a concern I have is the humidity causing mold on the ceiling. Should I consider pulling out that section of ceiling and replacing with green board? Or some other water resistant drywall?

What’s the consensus, I’ll only get one shot and want to do it right the first time.

I am using 4x8 1/2 white pvc for mine

 

[iReefer12]

I wonder if I painted the ceiling with a coat of Red Guard and then painted over the red guard with the same ceiling paint?

Yeah, I was planning on using something similar to a bathroom exhaust fan right above.

 

[Woodyman]

I wonder if I painted the ceiling with a coat of Red Guard and then painted over the red guard with the same ceiling paint?

Yeah, I was planning on using something similar to a bathroom exhaust fan right above.

I'd go with an exterior paint or that rustoleoum marine paint. Bathroom fan should eliminate any issues though.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m planning a large 10’x4’ aquarium. The canopy will go all the way to the ceiling, I plan on installing a fan to pull humid air out of that space, but a concern I have is the humidity causing mold on the ceiling. Should I consider pulling out that section of ceiling and replacing with green board? Or some other water resistant drywall?

What’s the consensus, I’ll only get one shot and want to do it right the first time.

You are looking to do what I have done. Works out great

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

You are looking to do what I have done. Works out great

How about a picture of the cieling inside your canopy for inspiration?

 

[vetteguy53081]

How about a picture of the cieling inside your canopy for inspiration?

I configured the lights differently with orpheks but here are pics from the fellow I bought system from:

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Thats how its set up now? That's how the light plug in?

 

[iReefer12]

You are looking to do what I have done. Works out great

Yeah, exactly like this, except my ceilings are not as high as yours, so will look a bit different. I will have about 25” from top edge of tank to ceiling. Hence my concern for the ceiling to be so close to all that moisture.

I’ve been reading about exterior paints inside and they really don’t recommend it because of the VOCs?

 

[Spicy Reef]

I wonder if I painted the ceiling with a coat of Red Guard and then painted over the red guard with the same ceiling paint?

Yeah, I was planning on using something similar to a bathroom exhaust fan right above.

exhaust fan will be enough. air movement will take care of humidity unless there is some drastic difference in temp of the room vs tank. assuming room is NOT in a basement...

 

[iReefer12]

exhaust fan will be enough. air movement will take care of humidity unless there is some drastic difference in temp of the room vs tank. assuming room is NOT in a basement...

It would be in a finished basement.

 

[Spicy Reef]

It would be in a finished basement.

Ok, so you'll want a strong fan then. One that you can control the speed and one that has a humidity sensor. Whisper makes a quiet one
6" minimum duct
also, depending on how tight your home is. you might need to have an air exchange into the basement...

 

[Indymann99]

Yeah, exactly like this, except my ceilings are not as high as yours, so will look a bit different. I will have about 25” from top edge of tank to ceiling. Hence my concern for the ceiling to be so close to all that moisture.

I’ve been reading about exterior paints inside and they really don’t recommend it because of the VOCs?

off topic but 24" top of tank to ceiling is going to be kind of tight to operate a scraper FYI. How tall is the tank?

 

[vetteguy53081]

exhaust fan will be enough. air movement will take care of humidity unless there is some drastic difference in temp of the room vs tank. assuming room is NOT in a basement...

ventillation is key

 

[iReefer12]

off topic but 24" top of tank to ceiling is going to be kind of tight to operate a scraper FYI. How tall is the tank?

Yeah, it’s not ideal. This part of the basement they dropped the ceiling to accommodate the ductwork for the hvac.

stand would be 36”, tank is 29”. The ceiling is 90” off the ground.

magnet scrapers will work. I currently have a 220, 30” tall in the same space.