Tell Me About Your Tank Contributed Humidity

[Skep18]

An air conditioner IS a dehumidifier. A dedicated dehumidifier is only slightly more efficient than an ac unit, with the biggest benefit being a larger storage tank. If you need a dehumidifier along with ac to keep the humidity in check, your ac isn’t working properly. Spend the money for the dehumidifier fixing/upgrading the ac.

Kinda. Problem is the months you don't run AC. Also, from a comfort standpoint, running extra AC to make a more humid environment comfortable isn't how it's "supposed" to be done, at least according to the HVAC forums I've visited. Also HVAC forums are saying adding a dehumidifier in a humid climate can actually bring your AC bill down

Oh, and whole house dehumidifiers are permanently mounted in the attic or where your HVAC is. They don't have tanks. They drain straight to your house drain

All in all, I think some people here would agree, finances aside a dehumidifier can serve a unique and valuable purpose. Definitely not the only solution but certain one of them

1. What region your in: Vancouver, Canada,
2. Your tank size 34 gallon display, 9 gallon sump. Also have a 50 gallon freshwater no sump.
3. If you monitor relative humidity and/or air temp what it typically is. averages 20c in winter and 20-30c in summer depending on outside temp. Humidity is 35 to 50% range depending on season. No a/c windows open in spring and summer, winter heating when needed is electric baseboard.
4. Without getting too judgmental or anything, how "elegant" your house is. (I ask this as someone renting while in college may have different comfort standards than someone living in some high end custom home.) Pretty basic 1bed/1ba 580sq foot apartment.
5. Definitely any complications you did or did not encountered from humidity. Never have any issues.
6. How you fixed any problems you had and what, if any, unexpected consequences those fixes may have caused. N/A

I find myself getting very jealous in reading your comment. I'd love to leave my windows open to fresh air 3/4 of the year. That's amazing.

Near Boulder, Colorado. Humidity in the tough times is usually less than 20%. My 500ish gallons of tank humidity is an afterthought. Temps in July and August can reach 100 for an hour or two, but they are back down into the high 50s at night.... and your home never gets all that hot.

Evaporative cooling from my tanks is the biggest expense that I have to overcome... heating costs at 60-70% of my total bill.

It is amazing how different climates have such different issues.

Yea, that kind of environment seems to really make this a moot point, or actually an completely opposite kind of issue. Personally I'd rather have that issue than too much moisture. Gratz!



Awesome replies everyone!

 

[Sump Crab]

I live in Northeast Florida in a historic home and I used to have a 120 gallon reef. I broke the 120 and downgraded to a 40 gallon reef due directly to the extra humidity in the home. Since downgrading my homes humidity is back to normal.

 

[Skep18]

I live in Northeast Florida in a historic home and I used to have a 120 gallon reef. I broke the 120 and downgraded to a 40 gallon reef due directly to the extra humidity in the home. Since downgrading my homes humidity is back to normal.

Definitely this is the kind of situation I'm trying to get ahead of to avoid. Thank you for your first hand experience feedback. I suspect some may not truly understand the humidity in these Southern states. FL is probably way worse than MS too. That said, I know i certainly don't understand the other environments either. Just saying, humidity in these parts ain't no joke. Lol.

 

[Sump Crab]

Definitely this is the kind of situation I'm trying to get ahead of to avoid. Thank you for your first hand experience feedback. I suspect some may not truly understand the humidity in these Southern states. FL is probably way worse than MS too. That said, I know i certainly don't understand the other environments either. Just saying, humidity in these parts ain't no joke. Lol.

The humidity down here is insane! I honestly believe that my situation was exacerbated by living in a historic home. Historic homes were not built with the same insulating qualities and also have crawl spaces that damp air literally comes up through our wooden floors. If your in a modern home on a monolithic slab then I am sure you will be fine. In my case I was fighting the woes of a historic house PLUS a huge aquarium. If it was simply one or the other I believe I would have been fine.

 

[Dom274]

Kinda. Problem is the months you don't run AC. Also, from a comfort standpoint, running extra AC to make a more humid environment comfortable isn't how it's "supposed" to be done, at least according to the HVAC forums I've visited. Also HVAC forums are saying adding a dehumidifier in a humid climate can actually bring your AC bill down

Oh, and whole house dehumidifiers are permanently mounted in the attic or where your HVAC is. They don't have tanks. They drain straight to your house drain

All in all, I think some people here would agree, finances aside a dehumidifier can serve a unique and valuable purpose. Definitely not the only solution but certain one of them



I find myself getting very jealous in reading your comment. I'd love to leave my windows open to fresh air 3/4 of the year. That's amazing.



Yea, that kind of environment seems to really make this a moot point, or actually an completely opposite kind of issue. Personally I'd rather have that issue than too much moisture. Gratz!



Awesome replies everyone!

Timeout. HVAC forums? Wow, I couldn't have imagined... My uncle is a HVAC tech - And honestly, it's a toss-up between them and mechanics for least tech savy professionals hahaha. I'm not saying that makes them bad at their jobs, but a forum of HVAC techs sounds about as plausible to me as a one legged unicorn taking a leak at the end of a rainbow lol .

Kinda. Problem is the months you don't run AC.

That's the thing. There are no months where you wouldn't be running the AC...



You say you want a faster horse... I understand that, and what I'm saying is - No you don't, what you want is called the car. It IS a faster horse.



You want a "Reverse cycle" AC unit. I live in Ohio, and we run the AC year round.

http://www.crownpower.com.au/blog/a...t-use-your-air-conditioner-to-warm-your-home/


I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule, but many older units also have a "de-humidifier" mode, I have a 8 year old portable AC unit that has it. Different manufacturers may call it different names, "Ex. Econ mode", but they all essentially do the same thing - Turn the compressor off to save energy and not make the air colder.


Edit: Just thought about it and a new energy efficient ac unit most likely qualifies for some sort of go green tax credit as well, while the de-humidifying system wouldn't. As a prospective home buyer, a de-humidifying system wouldn't add any value to a home - Why would a normal person need that? A new, high end, efficient AC system is a selling point to EVERY buyer.

 

[Dom274]

I live in Northeast Florida in a historic home and I used to have a 120 gallon reef. I broke the 120 and downgraded to a 40 gallon reef due directly to the extra humidity in the home. Since downgrading my homes humidity is back to normal.

The humidity down here is insane! I honestly believe that my situation was exacerbated by living in a historic home. Historic homes were not built with the same insulating qualities and also have crawl spaces that damp air literally comes up through our wooden floors. If your in a modern home on a monolithic slab then I am sure you will be fine. In my case I was fighting the woes of a historic house PLUS a huge aquarium. If it was simply one or the other I believe I would have been fine.

I feel your pain. Historic homes are just that - Historic. That's it. Living in a van down by the river becomes an appealing idea because a historic home is the only thing in the universe that will break down/have problems more than an abused 90's GM vehicle. After years of (still) unsuccessful attempts to fix a porch light that randomly breaks for no freaking conceivable notion, does something like below look appealing. I bet both of those headlights work... Even if they don't, I bet I could fix them quicker than that godforsaken porch light...

 

[Skep18]

Double post.

 

[Skep18]

The humidity down here is insane! I honestly believe that my situation was exacerbated by living in a historic home. Historic homes were not built with the same insulating qualities and also have crawl spaces that damp air literally comes up through our wooden floors. If your in a modern home on a monolithic slab then I am sure you will be fine. In my case I was fighting the woes of a historic house PLUS a huge aquarium. If it was simply one or the other I believe I would have been fine.

Good point. I guess I'll count my blessings as I'm on a slab.

 

[alton]

Another great post!

The two fans you replaced, did you or a tech determine the cause or at least contribution to them failing was moisture? Maybe even just excessive use from more run time? He stated it was due to too much moisture

I'm very interested in the glass top solution. Did you run into heat issues? What temp was the tank with them on? The tank stays between 77 and 78 with a room temp of 74-75

Did you have lighting issues with the glass from condensation or salt creep? A little salt creep where the overflow is, but not bad. Plus the fixtures stay completely dry and clean. I still get plenty of PAR from my lights

Thanks again for taking the time to post!

The two fans you replaced, did you or a tech determine the cause or at least contribution to them failing was moisture? Maybe even just excessive use from more run time? He stated it was due to too much moisture

I'm very interested in the glass top solution. Did you run into heat issues? What temp was the tank with them on? The tank stays between 77 and 78 with a room temp of 74-75

Did you have lighting issues with the glass from condensation or salt creep? A little salt creep where the overflow is, but not bad. Plus the fixtures stay completely dry and clean. I still get plenty of PAR from my lights

 

[Skep18]

The two fans you replaced, did you or a tech determine the cause or at least contribution to them failing was moisture? Maybe even just excessive use from more run time? He stated it was due to too much moisture

I'm very interested in the glass top solution. Did you run into heat issues? What temp was the tank with them on? The tank stays between 77 and 78 with a room temp of 74-75

Did you have lighting issues with the glass from condensation or salt creep? A little salt creep where the overflow is, but not bad. Plus the fixtures stay completely dry and clean. I still get plenty of PAR from my lights

Very good info.

I'm thinking I'll give the glass top a try before I go on to more expensive solutions. To get gas exchange I might plumb in some outside air or something, maybe directly into an enclosed sump or something.

I think I'll try that formed acrylic as well See how it turns out.

Thanks!

 

[Sump Crab]

I feel your pain. Historic homes are just that - Historic. That's it. Living in a van down by the river becomes an appealing idea because a historic home is the only thing in the universe that will break down/have problems more than an abused 90's GM vehicle. After years of (still) unsuccessful attempts to fix a porch light that randomly breaks for no freaking conceivable notion, does something like below look appealing. I bet both of those headlights work... Even if they don't, I bet I could fix them quicker than that godforsaken porch light...

There are trade offs to everything I suppose. The architecture of historic homes is absolutely beautiful and charming and the houses themselves were built better and out of much stronger wood compared to your cookie cutter subdivision homes these days. Its amazing that many of the homes in this area are close to 100 years old now! With proper maintenance and updating of the mechanics such as wiring then these are great homes to be in. The one major improvement of new homes IMO is the monolithic slab - crawl spaces just suck in Florida!!

 

[scchase]

1. What region your in: Aurora, Colorado
2. Your tank size: 480g, 300g, 55g x3, 75g, 125g, 100g, 600g pond, 90g x2, 135g, 150, 28g, 15g x4, 48g x2, 40gB x2 and I think that is all of them other than the 1200g I am currently finishing
3. If you monitor relative humidity and/or air temp what it typically is. Humidity stay between 55 and 65% in the winter when I am more likely to have problems, during the summer I just open the windows at night and whenever the weather allows, my house stays between 75 and 80
4. Without getting too judgmental or anything, how "elegant" your house is. (I ask this as someone renting while in college may have different comfort standards than someone living in some high end custom home.) High mid
5. Definitely any complications you did or did not encountered from humidity: Humidity is a constant problem for me throughout the winter months, virtually nonexistent during the summer
6. How you fixed any problems you had and what, if any, unexpected consequences those fixes may have caused. I have installed an ERV that constantly exchanges air when the outside temp is about 10, 2 dehumidifiers and then my AC/Forced Air heat take care of the rest. This fall I plan on topping a lot of the smaller nonreef tanks to reduce evaporation

 

[Skep18]

1. What region your in: Aurora, Colorado
2. Your tank size: 480g, 300g, 55g x3, 75g, 125g, 100g, 600g pond, 90g x2, 135g, 150, 28g, 15g x4, 48g x2, 40gB x2 and I think that is all of them other than the 1200g I am currently finishing
3. If you monitor relative humidity and/or air temp what it typically is. Humidity stay between 55 and 65% in the winter when I am more likely to have problems, during the summer I just open the windows at night and whenever the weather allows, my house stays between 75 and 80
4. Without getting too judgmental or anything, how "elegant" your house is. (I ask this as someone renting while in college may have different comfort standards than someone living in some high end custom home.) High mid
5. Definitely any complications you did or did not encountered from humidity: Humidity is a constant problem for me throughout the winter months, virtually nonexistent during the summer
6. How you fixed any problems you had and what, if any, unexpected consequences those fixes may have caused. I have installed an ERV that constantly exchanges air when the outside temp is about 10, 2 dehumidifiers and then my AC/Forced Air heat take care of the rest. This fall I plan on topping a lot of the smaller nonreef tanks to reduce evaporation

Whoa... You definitely have some first hand experience.

I like the idea of the ERV/HRV but I think living in my climate makes it not as conducive.

Good info though. Ty.

 

[Justin Swinney]

I live in Mississippi as well(Tupelo). Humidity is already a struggle

I have a room with a few tanks in it.

The humidity in that room never gets much higher than 60%

I run the fan all the time with the door open and a dehumidifier. I have found some mold on the window frame once where there wassime condensation on the window but other than that no issue. I cleaned it off with l vinegar and it hasn’t done it again

 

[bigroost]

I live in Mississippi as well, I have a 180 in the house. If my little temp/humidity thing is correct the humidity is always pretty low in the house. It’s actually sitting on 44% right now and that the highest I’ve seen in a while. It’s usually a good bit lower in the winter, like to the point we run a humidifier. I don’t do anything just the hvac unit running seems to keep it in check

 

[Crashjack]

I live in MS as well (Memphis suburb). I’ve got a 4000 sqft house (single story) built in 1975. My tank is 72”x24”x19”. I’m not sure where in MS you live so my winters might be a little colder/drier than yours. However, I can tell you that my evaporation increases over the winter, which I assume means that the moisture from the tank dissipates more with the lower humidity in the winter than what the a/c pulls out during the summer. Therefore for me, a/c takes care of the summer and outside humidity takes care of the winter.

 

[Dragon52]

1. What region your in. Evans, Ga= Also High Humidity
2. Your tank size. 185g Temp is 74 with heater in the winter 74-76 summer with no heater/chiller ( Don't have).
   
3. If you monitor relative humidity and/or air temp what it typically is. Nope keep temp 68* winter 74-76* Summer
   
4. Without getting too judgmental or anything, how "elegant" your house is. Average house
   
5. Definitely any complications you did or did not encountered from humidity. None
6. How you fixed any problems you had and what, if any, unexpected consequences those fixes may have caused. NA

I do have Humidity controlled vents under the house, bought before having tank.

 

[sp4zzy]

1. Southern WI
2. 2x 30gal + 20gal long
3. I don't monitor directly, but no sore throats over winter this year! (Winter usually kills my throat/sinuses)
4. Newer construction apartment - ~900 sq ft and fairly open floor plan.
5. I wasted money on a humidifier I didn't need... that's about it
6. Got my own ro/di unit and auto topoff. The evaporation was a pain to deal with on a nearly daily basis.

 

[Skep18]

Bunch of good input guys. Who knew so many southerners on here. However, seeing as we're getting feedback from all regions and many different house situations, I could definitely see this thread being very useful and informative for someone new to the hobby.

Keep them coming!

 

[bigroost]

Hey skep could you send me a direct message I can't seem to send you one.