Mold in the Sump

[g6gang]

I built my own stand and the tank has been running about 7 months now, just noticed some mold on one of the sides. The sump is a 40G long with no cover. Obviously my opening the cabinet doors every now and then has not been enough to keep moisture low. I have thought about customizing a cover for the sump tank out of acrylic (but it quickly bends and does not seal very well - plus have to cut openings anyway for skimmer cup and plumbing). So do I install some sort of exhaust fan? Where would I get something like this and how big would it have to be. It is basically a 4' long x 2' deep x 3' high stand. I did originally seal the inside of the sump with PolyAcrylic

 

[zemuss]

Maybe add a fan or two?

 

[juggalogentry]

oooOOoo this seems tricky, following along

 

[g6gang]

Maybe add a fan or two?

Where would I buy these types of fans? I think Lowes or THD sell exhaust fans but they are rather large and most likely noisy. I am thinking somehting that would go in a bathroom but is there any that people have found that work in this type of setting (quiet running, smaller in size). I am thinking I would cut a whole in the side of the sump (facing my "desk") and have the fav inside to continuosly blow the air out)

 

[Bad Company]

I left the back of my stand open for this very reason... But I pay for it with a bit higher noise levels. Cut some ventilation holes?

 

[Adam Baggett]

I would say yes, use a fan to move the air out, just a cheap one from Walmart would work. Also to get rid of the mold use water with white vinigar to get rid of it but I would sugged covering your sump with plastic before you do it. Do you have vent holes in the stand? That might help also.

 

[g6gang]

No I do not have any vent holes - I guess i can just put a small ac/heating vent grate on one wall and just put any old fan inside the cabinet to move air around.

What about having glass/plastic over sump permanently? Do you all run with your sump tank uncovered? My display tank is not covered and has good surface area for gas exchange.

 

[Adam Baggett]

No my sump is not covered. I suppose it would not hurt just to stem evaporation but the vent should solve your issue here and with a fan also it should dissipate heat out so there is a double bonus.

 

[zemuss]

look on newegg. What you would need are computer fans.

 

[Adam Baggett]

Computer fans are OK and a great idea but I do not think they will shift enough air. I have 3 of them under my hood to extract hot air and then are OK but not great. Take a look at the links below:

Lasko 6" White Clip Fan - Walmart.com - This one is good

Lasko Clip Stik Desk Fan, 4006 - Walmart.com - But this one looks interesting

This does not have to cost a lot of $'s

There are a host of fans at Walmart, you want to go cheap as you will need to replace it every year or 2 http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=Clip Fan