Fish room exhaust fan??

mpjmeyer · Oct 29, 2016

Just when I had everything all figured out!!

Drywall in my basement is going up in 2 weeks so it's time to really think ahead and prepare for future additives. I am building a 55 gallon in wall corner tank and behind the tank doubles as my storage area with a sump underneath. I have just about everything ready to, even installed a cat6 port by where all the equipment will be just in case I need to add an access point for better wifi to control everything. .

Today, I thought about the moisture the fish tank will emit and the fact the doors to the storage room will be closed mostly until it's feeding time so I know moisture will become an issue. Having said that, I have a question for all my reefers out there....

How many of you have an exhaust fan in your fish room?

Is it on a timer and if so, how many hours a day does it run?

Is it on a switch and if so, do you keep it on all day or just when you remember to turn it on?

inetjnky · Oct 29, 2016

Why not just install a humidity sensor switch and let that detect the humidity and turn the exhaust fan on or off based on the sensor?

mpjmeyer · Oct 29, 2016

I looked into that but I think if I were to go that route, I'd rather just have it on a timer that way I know for a fact the fan will kick on at certain times. Maybe kick on every other hour for an hour

Blue Lip · Oct 29, 2016

I started with a dehumidifier. The problem is they create heat. Now I have the small basement window open with a fan blowing out 24/7.

Paul B · Oct 29, 2016

There is an exhaust fan over my tank that exhausts outside the house. I keep it on all summer

mpjmeyer · Oct 29, 2016

I'll probably get a quiet exhaust fan, wire a 3 prong plug to it and plug it into this timer. Seems like it will be legit.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-...echanical-Timer-with-2-Outlet-49807/203677447

tj w · Oct 29, 2016

With 55 gallons, I wouldn't think you will have too much humidity.

mpjmeyer · Oct 29, 2016

The display tank is 55 gallons but there also is a 10 gallon refugium and a Lifereef berlin sump. I dont know if it makes a big difference but probably closer to 100 gallons total. I may not add an exhaust fan right away since that could technically be added anytime

mpjmeyer · Oct 29, 2016

20 gallon refugium

Pepcrylic · Oct 30, 2016

I have 450+ gal. in a 12' X 12' fishroom . I bought the largest fartfan HD carries and run it 24-7. IMO you could get by with running a smaller one on a timer. But the trick is to run another fan (somewhere in the room) at the same time your exhaust fan.This will help to circulate the air. I would run it min 6-8 hours total in a 24 hour day.

mpjmeyer · Oct 31, 2016

Picked up a small exhaust fan from Lowes today. We'll see how it does.

Pepcrylic · Oct 31, 2016

is that metal corner bead I see right above the tank?

Salty1962 · Oct 31, 2016

If you're building out, I would put one in with a humidistat on it. Some controllers have the ability to add humidistats to them to control a fan. As mentioned, you need to have some capability to pull air through the area. Gap under door, etc.

Ocelaris · Oct 31, 2016

Panasonic makes a nice fresh air fan for the ceiling . It balances intake and exhaust evenly , works awesome in our basement . It's also almost silent . Any of the Panasonic bathroom fans are awesome as they're so quiet . I have them through out the house . It's called an erv:

https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-FV-04VE1-WhisperComfortTM-Ventilation-Patent-Pending/dp/B000XJNZ1Y

mpjmeyer · Oct 31, 2016

Pepcrylic said:
is that metal corner bead I see right above the tank?

. Yes...didnt think of that. What should I use instead of metal?

Salty1962 · Oct 31, 2016

mpjmeyer · Nov 1, 2016

Going to be replacing those with vinyl corner beads tomorrow...thank you for noticing that

mpjmeyer · Nov 3, 2016

After my buddy helped me haul 60 sheets of drywall downstairs, I replaced the metal beads with vinyl. Now just waiting for the adhesive to dry

chicago · May 12, 2018

need to resurect this post.. i have a fish room and the tank room.. both house large amount of water.. tank is upstairs in a room and the sump is in the mechanical room downstairs.. moisture over the year has hit the duct work.. rust ect. i had a bath fan going for years.. but not doing the job.. was thinking of getting this installed.. tee it so it is heating both rooms.. each room is like 10 by 15 let say.. thoughts on these units.. will it work better than just an old bathroom vent fan..

thanks

Panasonic FV-04VE1