Fish equipment room humidity concerns

[Gundy]

I am building a fish equipment room 6x 14 directly behind my 350 gallon display tank. The room will contain my sump, small frag tank and a quarantine tank. I don’t consider this to be a lot of moisture that will need to be dealt with with a dehumidifier or other equipment. My original plan was to have the room ducted from the house system for heat and air with a return installed to get the air flow back into the house. I will also install an exhaust fan in the wall to get good air exchange to the outside and I plan on using epoxy paint on the drywall. Does anyone think I will have a moisture problem with this set up?

 

[Brian_68]

I am building a fish equipment room 6x 14 directly behind my 350 gallon display tank. The room will contain my sump, small frag tank and a quarantine tank. I don’t consider this to be a lot of moisture that will need to be dealt with with a dehumidifier or other equipment. My original plan was to have the room ducted from the house system for heat and air with a return installed to get the air flow back into the house. I will also install an exhaust fan in the wall to get good air exchange to the outside and I plan on using epoxy paint on the drywall. Does anyone think I will have a moisture problem with this set up?

Pulling potential salt spray and higher humidity air into your ductwork and furnace is what I would be concerned with since you mention a return in this small room. I have seen what a sump can do to ductwork near a furnace if you are not careful.

 

[AlexG]

Here is a video I did on humidity control a few years ago for my old system. The same principals apply though and I am more or less doing the same thing for my new build. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[workhz]

Pulling potential salt spray and higher humidity air into your ductwork and furnace is what I would be concerned with since you mention a return in this small room. I have seen what a sump can do to ductwork near a furnace if you are not careful.

Was there a lot of salt spray? I always figured it was spray vs actual humidity that's the main issue.

 

[theMeat]

In today’s modern homes that’r tightly sealed and insulated an air exchange/heat recovery unit is a good idea with or without a fish room. Your indoor air quality will be so much better. It just makes a house a better place to live. Here’s one model, there’s many more

155MAX - LifeBreath 155MAX - 155 MAX Residential Heat Recovery Ventilator, 132 CFM

LifeBreath 155MAX - 155 MAX Residential Heat Recovery Ventilator, 132 CFM - Most popular single core HRV featuring door port balancing and the high efficiency HEX core.<br><br> <b>Features:</b> <ul><li>High Efficiency Hex Core <li>Door Port Balancing & adjustable dampers <li>Excellent low...

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[neonreef3d]

install a dehumidifier and line your walls and ceiling with glasliner 4x8 sheets.
have the dehumidifier water (which is 0tds) going back to your ATO. If you need an AC/heater, install a portable combo unit and your done!! this is the best and most affordable solution in Imo. Installing an Air monitor will let you know he co2 levels, If it gets high, install a vent.

Glasliner 0.090 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. White FRP Decorative Wall Paneling (1-Pack) MFTF12IXA480009600 - The Home Depot

Fiberglass Reinforced Panels are an ideal wall liner for interior use in restaurants, kitchens, regrooms, break rooms, and any locations requiring low-maintenance, washable walls. Made of a durable polyester

www.homedepot.com

 

[Gundy]

install a dehumidifier and line your walls and ceiling with glasliner 4x8 sheets.
have the dehumidifier water (which is 0tds) going back to your ATO. If you need an AC/heater, install a portable combo unit and your done!! this is the best and most affordable solution in Imo. Installing an Air monitor will let you know he co2 levels, If it gets high, install a vent.

Glasliner 0.090 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. White FRP Decorative Wall Paneling (1-Pack) MFTF12IXA480009600 - The Home Depot

Fiberglass Reinforced Panels are an ideal wall liner for interior use in restaurants, kitchens, regrooms, break rooms, and any locations requiring low-maintenance, washable walls. Made of a durable polyester

www.homedepot.com

Are the wall liners really that necessary? If your sump is partially covered and there is only a small frag tank and QT tank, is there going to that much moisture in the air that an exhaust fan or small dehumidifier can’t handle?

 

[theMeat]

Dehumidifiers work as intended but need to be drained, use a bunch of electric, and heat up a room lots

 

[neonreef3d]

Are the wall liners really that necessary? If your sump is partially covered and there is only a small frag tank and QT tank, is there going to that much moisture in the air that an exhaust fan or small dehumidifier can’t handle?

the space is tight, besides, that's just me going overboard. I know how destructive saltwater can be, and worse case is that you will have a spill here and there, and you want to protect your home.. there is a water sealant you can paint the drywall which will help if you want to avoid the expense of buying the panels.

DRYLOK Original 5 gal. White Flat Latex Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofer 27515 - The Home Depot

DRYLOK Original 5 Gal. Masonry Waterproofer is ideal when water is leaking through existing masonry or you need to protect new construction, this proprietary formula is guaranteed to stop water. Unlike

www.homedepot.com

 

[bnord]

from the looks of my fish room right now, I have humility control problems....

 

[Joj]

I have my fish room in my garage. The house was built in 2020 so with regards to energy efficiency, it has zero vents in or out. I cut a hole on the side of my garage and installed a auto fan to help out, esp in the summer when the garage feels like a sauna (Southern CA).

Cuts down heat &humidity by a lot!

AC Infinity AIRLIFT T10, Shutter Exhaust Fan 10" with Temperature Humidity Controller, EC Motor - Wall Mount Ventilation and Cooling for Sheds, Attics, Workshops

 

[theMeat]

I have my fish room in my garage. The house was built in 2020 so with regards to energy efficiency, it has zero vents in or out. I cut a hole on the side of my garage and installed a auto fan to help out, esp in the summer when the garage feels like a sauna (Southern CA).

Cuts down heat &humidity by a lot!

AC Infinity AIRLIFT T10, Shutter Exhaust Fan 10" with Temperature Humidity Controller, EC Motor - Wall Mount Ventilation and Cooling for Sheds, Attics, Workshops

The problem with this solution, especially in a newer house that is well sealed and insulated, is that if you are pushing air out to outside with power/fan you need balance it with air coming in through another vent. Otherwise you run the risk of pulling air down your chimney or from clothes dryer, range hood or whatnot. Even if you don’t endanger your living space with this scenario you are exporting air that you are paying to condition (heat or AC) right out the vent. Total waste of energy and money.
An air exchanger /recovery unit is designed specifically for this purpose. It transfers your heat or air conditioned air to the fresh air that is coming onto the home, while exhausting inside air to outside. A more expensive up front cost but over time more than pays for itself, not to mention a healthier home to live in

 

[Pistondog]

I am building a fish equipment room 6x 14 directly behind my 350 gallon display tank. The room will contain my sump, small frag tank and a quarantine tank. I don’t consider this to be a lot of moisture that will need to be dealt with with a dehumidifier or other equipment. My original plan was to have the room ducted from the house system for heat and air with a return installed to get the air flow back into the house. I will also install an exhaust fan in the wall to get good air exchange to the outside and I plan on using epoxy paint on the drywall. Does anyone think I will have a moisture problem with this set up?

Every house is different. You might need to dehumidify, or, as in my case be thankful for the extra humidity in winter. Air exchange with the rest of the house may be all you need.
I would not do anything until you determine there is a problem after it is up and running.

 

[Jeeperz]

I am building a fish equipment room 6x 14 directly behind my 350 gallon display tank. The room will contain my sump, small frag tank and a quarantine tank. I don’t consider this to be a lot of moisture that will need to be dealt with with a dehumidifier or other equipment. My original plan was to have the room ducted from the house system for heat and air with a return installed to get the air flow back into the house. I will also install an exhaust fan in the wall to get good air exchange to the outside and I plan on using epoxy paint on the drywall. Does anyone think I will have a moisture problem with this set up?

Not if done correctly with supply/return to house system and a vent to outside on a humidistat. Plus is you probably won't need a humidifier for the house system if you live in a dry climate

 

[Jeeperz]

the space is tight, besides, that's just me going overboard. I know how destructive saltwater can be, and worse case is that you will have a spill here and there, and you want to protect your home.. there is a water sealant you can paint the drywall which will help if you want to avoid the expense of buying the panels.

DRYLOK Original 5 gal. White Flat Latex Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofer 27515 - The Home Depot

DRYLOK Original 5 Gal. Masonry Waterproofer is ideal when water is leaking through existing masonry or you need to protect new construction, this proprietary formula is guaranteed to stop water. Unlike

www.homedepot.com

This stuff will flake off, even when prepped correctly. Just an fyi

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

If I was real annal I'd paint the walls with killz.
Install a vent in the door. Higher up by the ceiling. Just a basic floor vent.
And prob have a plug in dehumidifier and be done.
The nicer stand up units work well.
-d

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Luckily where I'm placing my 250g cube is in my entry way. Vaulted ceilings. Ect.
Very open space
D

 

[Jeeperz]

If I was real annal I'd paint the walls with killz.
Install a vent in the door. Higher up by the ceiling. Just a basic floor vent.
And prob have a plug in dehumidifier and be done.
The nicer stand up units work well.
-d

The problem there is a dehumidifier creates a ton of heat that needs dealt with and they will evaporate water out of your tank, sump, top off, etc... They do work, they also use tons of electricity and you either have to dump water daily or find a floor drain to put it down.

 

[Gundy]

Has anyone seen the video here on R2R about a guy painting his walls in his fish room with epoxy paint? Would this be sufficient for the walls to be painted with epoxy, then another coat of regular paint? Some are placing PVC panels over the walls. Is this overkill in a situation like mine?

 

[theMeat]

Has anyone seen the video here on R2R about a guy painting his walls in his fish room with epoxy paint? Would this be sufficient for the walls to be painted with epoxy, then another coat of regular paint? Some are placing PVC panels over the walls. Is this overkill in a situation like mine?

There’s a waterproofed called Redgard. Paint it on and done. Supper durable, won’t flake off.