HVAC and Saltwater Tanks

LPSGUY · Jan 30, 2014

So I've got roughly 200g of reef in the basement. I'm thinking of tearing down and building a much larger tank. I've read posts that saltwater tanks destroy the HVAC in homes. However, my tank in the basement for 5 years hasnt done anything to my HVAC that I have seen.

So when people say it destroys the heating, ventilation, and airconditioning what is everyone talking about? I'm a bit nervous to put an extra couple hundred gallons in the basement and blow out my furnace ha!

Thoughts / opinions on this are greatly appreciated.

Reefing Madness · Jan 30, 2014

Got me. I've got a 240g tank in my house, if it wasn't this one it was a 125g tank, i've not noticed anything wrong with my HVAC ducts or otherwise.

benny z · Jan 30, 2014

i have about 500g running right next to the furnace room in my basement, that has been running for about 3-4 years. everything metal in my basement rusts, including the metal return vent covers on the hvac in the unfinished portion. i've had my furnace and ducts cleaned a couple of times in the past couple of years - once recently. The techs did not make any unusal notes to me about the condition of things internally, so I can only assume that it's OK.

I need to get an inside/outside air exchanger and seal off the fish room from the rest of the basement. Have been wanting to do that for a long time... I'm sure I have some mold issues due to the moisture in the air.

cdness · Jan 30, 2014

A sump room with air exchanger would be your best friend to get rid of the excess moisture.

LPSGUY · Jan 30, 2014

Ok makes sense. I've noticed some things have rusted like old tools, etc., but I'm really more concerned about the actual furnace and if the evaporates saltwater will have an effect on the interal workings like circuit board, motor, etc. My tank is directly over duct work and has been for years and I dont have any rust of that. May look into air exchangers.....

revhtree · Jan 30, 2014

I know that my vents in the tank room are rusted and then in the closest room there is rust as well. Other vents are untouched.

tlewy · Jan 30, 2014

I don't see how evap could be an issue unless you do not have a condensation pump. I think the condensation pump would remove any condensation within the system. Unless the water vapor within your house does not condensate inside the system. Could the water molecules react with the metals in the system if still in vapor form?

mrbee2828 · Jan 30, 2014

Remember that it's not "saltwater" that's destroying these items, it's humidity in general. Remember that salt doesn't evaporate, hence the reason we have fresh water auto top off. A dehumidifier or air exchanger is the only thing to help with this with respect to the tank. You can do things like cover you sump and aquarium top to reduce evaporation but you'll face other issues with the covers. Tank dimensions also play a big roll because the surface area is what determines gas exchange. A 24x24 cube will have less evaporation than a 48x48 lagoon setup. I'm preparing to move my tank inside this year from the garage and have the same fears.

Fishtankery · Jan 30, 2014

mrbee2828 made a few great points. I'd add that the amount of air circulation in the house/ventilation, and the average day and night humidity level in a specific region also have a big hand in this.

ReeferEric · Jan 30, 2014

I do HVAC for a living and tank or no tank, things will get old and rust. Evap coils are naturally wet so with that in mind, where there are metals and water rust will eventually form. Only way your vents (intake/supply to air handler) will get rusted is due to salt spray, there is little chance of salt reaching it unless the tank is right by it.

saltyhog · Jan 30, 2014

Wow. My 170 gallon system is 12' away from my weather station and the inside humidity in the room hasn't been above 27% in two months. It's been unusually cold and dry here.

Right now a warm front is coming through and the outside temp is 40 with 98% humidity and it's 70 inside with 24% humidity. Is there a difference in what kind of heat you have?