How do You Deal With Evaporation?

Gabriel Guirola · Jan 10, 2020

I’ve had tanks most of my life, but nothing as big as my current tank. I have a 180gal DT with a 75gal sump. This tank evaporates quite a bit causing a ridiculous amount of condensation on my first floor on the windows and it is growing mold. Opening my windows is just not an option because of snow and winter conditions.

How do you guys deal with the humidity and do you have any recommendations?

Chefwheredyougo · Jan 10, 2020

Have you tried dehumidifiers?

ZoWhat · Jan 10, 2020

What's your avg temp?

Gabriel Guirola · Jan 10, 2020

I am looking into getting one, but I wanted to see if there are other options in case the dehumidifier doesn’t work.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 10, 2020

Tough to counteract especially when seasonal. This is where an ATO unit is of value

Gabriel Guirola · Jan 10, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Tough to counteract especially when seasonal. This is where an ATO unit is of value

I do have an ATO. My concern is that the humidity in my house is at around 80% causing molding near the window seals.

ZoWhat · Jan 10, 2020

I have a 180 on the main floor and sump in fish room in basement. I never hardly see foggy windows.

I think it bc in the open room all floor vents are closed except for the one within a foot of the base of the tank

Jon Fishman · Jan 10, 2020

I went from 5-7 gallons a day to maybe 1 by adding a top.

What does the tank look like?
I put 4 sheets of just plain glass picked up at Home Depot (careful, sharp). So thin etc yoi can’t even tell I have a top on it.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 10, 2020

Gabriel Guirola said:
I do have an ATO. My concern is that the humidity in my house is at around 80% causing molding near the window seals.

This indicates a ventilation issue. As simple as installing a couple small fans may remedy this issue otherwise a dehumidifier

Gabriel Guirola · Jan 10, 2020

skimjim said:
I have a 180 on the main floor and sump in fish room in basement. I never hardly see foggy windows.

I think it bc in the open room all floor vents are closed except for the one within a foot of the base of the tank

I have my sump under the tank because I don’t have another place to put it. I can try to close a couple of vents and see what happens.

Thanks for the idea!

Gabriel Guirola · Jan 10, 2020

Jon Fishman said:
I went from 5-7 gallons a day to maybe 1 by adding a top.

What does the tank look like?
I put 4 sheets of just plain glass picked up at Home Depot (careful, sharp). So thin etc yoi can’t even tell I have a top on it.

I thought about closing the canopy on the top, but the glass idea might be better.

Here’s an old pic when I started the setup.

ZoWhat · Jan 10, 2020

Gabriel Guirola said:
I have my sump under the tank because I don’t have another place to put it. I can try to close a couple of vents and see what happens.

Thanks for the idea!

Get the closest vent blowing as much forced-air as possible..... run your furnace fan 24/7!!!!

Gabriel Guirola · Jan 10, 2020

skimjim said:
What's your avg temp?

Tank is 78.5 - 79.0
House 62

ZoWhat · Jan 10, 2020

Gabriel Guirola said:
Tank is 78.5 - 79.0
House 62

Dang dude!!!!

That's your PROBLEM!!!

The difference btwn air and tank is 17°

Get your house up to 70°

vetteguy53081 · Jan 10, 2020

Gabriel Guirola said:
I thought about closing the canopy on the top, but the glass idea might be better.

Here’s an old pic when I started the setup.

I always use covers

Jon Fishman · Jan 10, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
I always use covers

Loving what having one has done for my evaporation rate, but I desperately need a chiller now

vetteguy53081 · Jan 10, 2020

Jon Fishman said:
Loving what having one has done for my evaporation rate, but I desperately need a chiller now

I have fan on my sump. Keeps temp down at least 2 degrees

JATReef · Jan 10, 2020

Jon Fishman said:
I went from 5-7 gallons a day to maybe 1 by adding a top.

What does the tank look like?
I put 4 sheets of just plain glass picked up at Home Depot (careful, sharp). So thin etc yoi can’t even tell I have a top on it.

Just curious, as i am thinking about doing something similar. Does putting a sheet of glass over the display cause an issues with oxygen levels in the water?

The idea of sealing off the top of the tank completely and having a sump in a cabinet makes me wonder how much fresh oxygen will be present at the water surface.