Dehumidifier???

[wes_slavens]

Not sure if this is the right spot to post this, but does anyone run a dehumidifier because of their tanks? I have a 75g reef and 65g planted tank in my "man cave", which is also where all my guns are stored. So I was looking for opinions or suggestions on a decent dehumidifier. Room is about 12'x12'. Thanks in advance

 

[fragginglife]

I have all my tanks in my basement alongside the guns and electronics in the man cave (basement also floods from time to time in hurricane season). I have had a lot of different dehumidifiers over the years and IMO just buy one off craigslist and call it a day. nothing too special needed to fit your needs.

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Not sure if this is the right spot to post this, but does anyone run a dehumidifier because of their tanks? I have a 75g reef and 65g planted tank in my "man cave", which is also where all my guns are stored. So I was looking for opinions or suggestions on a decent dehumidifier. Room is about 12'x12'. Thanks in advance

My fishroom is 12 x 18 and in the basement. I got a dehumidifier when I started to get mold. The power bill went up around $120 that month. Now I open the windows as much as I can in the summer since it costs so much to run it

 

[jason2459]

Can get an exhaust fan to help.

I run two dehumidifiers in my basement

 

[Joe Grubbs]

Living in WA, even if we did not have 2 tanks in the house we would need to run a dehumidifier. For many years now we have been running multiple room-dehumidifiers from fall through late spring (we have had as many as 4 running at one time - we are running two this year). I find that the ones with 'fancy' electronic controls fail most often due to the electronics. We seem to get better service from those without any electronic control, just the dial seating. We do not have any central air conditioning/heating in this home, common for WA. These have been a big help to keep the 'dampness' under control. We pull a couple gallons of water out of the air every day, (I'm dumping the buckets). We do see a small increase in make up water usage once we start them in the fall.

 

[recess62]

I have the opposite problem. The house gets so dry in the winter once the heat is on that I welcome the humidity

 

[TheEngineer]

I have this one in my basement. Works pretty well. This gets top marks from consumer reports. The previous generation was really crappy. Two died after a year each. Both were replaced without any issues from Fridigdaire. This one is more efficient and seems more sturdy.

70-Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UWP07LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hyezybW7PYM91

 

[lion king]

I Run a 210 and a 90 in my office 12x14, open top in the summer. I use 2 large room damprid and a fan to suck the excess out. Before this set up the room would be 60-65%. With this set up it runs below 50%. What's the humidity in that room, healthy home humidity is usually between n40-50%

 

[wes_slavens]

I Run a 210 and a 90 in my office 12x14, open top in the summer. I use 2 large room damprid and a fan to suck the excess out. Before this set up the room would be 60-65%. With this set up it runs below 50%. What's the humidity in that room, healthy home humidity is usually between n40-50%

I couldn't tell you what the humidity is in there but I know it pretty high. I have to keep the door closed because my cat snagged on of my fw angels. Once I get tops it will be better because I can have the door open

 

[Trivan]

Just watch out for the heat dehumidifier put out. I have a basement sump and I the summer it would get at least 10 Deg warmer. I switched to one specifically designed for basements which put out a lot less heat.

 

[Bandomo]

I have this one in my basement. Works pretty well. This gets top marks from consumer reports. The previous generation was really crappy. Two died after a year each. Both were replaced without any issues from Fridigdaire. This one is more efficient and seems more sturdy.

70-Pint Dehumidifier with Effortless Humidity Control, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UWP07LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_hyezybW7PYM91

Old thread, but maybe I'll get a reply. By roughly how much did your power bill increase using this dehumidifier?
I'm thinking of adding this same exact one but concerned about the heat and cost of operation.

The 2nd option is installing a ventilation fan with a humidity sensor. In this case, as the fan exhausts the moist air out, it'll need to be replaced with hot air from outside and therefore having the AC work harder. Not sure if this is a much better option.

I live in Miami. What do you think would be the best option? I'm leaning toward the dehumidifier only because it's plug and play, easy to install.

any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Jim Heenan]

I have the opposite problem. The house gets so dry in the winter once the heat is on that I welcome the humidity

Same here. My place would get mighty dry without my tank in the winter months

 

[TheEngineer]

Old thread, but maybe I'll get a reply. By roughly how much did your power bill increase using this dehumidifier?
I'm thinking of adding this same exact one but concerned about the heat and cost of operation.

The 2nd option is installing a ventilation fan with a humidity sensor. In this case, as the fan exhausts the moist air out, it'll need to be replaced with hot air from outside and therefore having the AC work harder. Not sure if this is a much better option.

I live in Miami. What do you think would be the best option? I'm leaning toward the dehumidifier only because it's plug and play, easy to install.

any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

It is quite expensive to run.

EDIT: Looking at my electric bills, I'd say it costs anywhere from $50-75/month to run mine. My basement is quite humid though.

 

[Bandomo]

It is quite expensive to run.

EDIT: Looking at my electric bills, I'd say it costs anywhere from $50-75/month to run mine. My basement is quite humid though.

Hey, tanks for the reply! Does your basement have AC, or is it just the Dehumidifier working non stop? $50-$75/month is definitely quite expensive.

My main concern using the exhaust fan option is the fact that I live in Miami. The ventelated air will just simply be replaced with warm humid air from outside. Sure, I'll get air turnover, but not sure the actual humidity will decrease.

Can anyone with experience share knowledge on what would be the best option for my situation?

 

[TheEngineer]

It’s an unfinished basement, no AC or anything down there.

 

[maroun.c]

Don't overdo it. Dropping the humidity a lot causes more evaporation and ends up causing dehumidifier to run more. A sweet spot souls be around 60 percent where u don't see mold and don't cause much more evaporation.
In summer time ventilating the room if possible is a much cheaper alternative. In winter I find that ventilating my basement causes a big temperature loss and the cost of running heaters is way more than running dehumidifier. So I prefer to run the dehumidifier and only vent the room for around 30 min twice a day mostly when lights are on (I run Halides)