View Full Version : Might have to get rid of my FOWLR
DamnPepShrimp
08/31/2009, 05:48 PM
Well ever since I setup my 210g I have been having humidty issues in my basement. My basement is split into two rooms, one finished with my reef, no windows, and a large fan running 24/7. Inbetween the two rooms I have a dehumidifier and then the unfinished room with my 210g FO that has two small windows which I open when its cold out. I have the FO tank covered mostly with acrylic and the stand is sealed up mostly as well.
So everything in my unfinished side is rusting up, my copper coldwater pipes sweat big time when its cold out (the water coming in is cold and the tank heats up the room/air and condensation forms!). Apparently there has been mold growing (so my mom says) and its from the tank. I just finally got my new job and will be moving out in Jan but I am unsure if I can tank such a big tank with me.
I need to know how to fix this problem, especially if I bring the tank to my new place, or if I should just start parting it out now. I don't want to get rid of my fish, they are like my cats and dog to me, and last time I got rid of my angels, they all ended up dying (not necessarily the new owners fault) but I felt like I betrayed them. I am sure everyone knows what I mean here, atleast us FO guys/gals :D so help me save everyone! How do people have such huge systems in their house with no issues?
Here is my old thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1640378
The summer wasn't so bad, but the winter gets pretty bad. I run my tank around 75* I might go colder though.
Recty
08/31/2009, 07:08 PM
The way I handle it in my house is to completely seal the top of the tank, I use the All-Glass tank lids with the hinge for easy access. My sump is the only open area. I run a dehumidifier in the room (they are cheap and easy) and I have no humidity issues, plus it heats the whole room in the winter :)
DamnPepShrimp
08/31/2009, 07:19 PM
I have the top of my 210 pretty much sealed minus a small spot for algae sheets and feedings. My sump is open but the stand is enclosed. I run a demhumidifier, empty about 6-8g a week I'd say. I think my tank being in an unfinished room with exposure to the coldwater pipes, it makes it worse of an issue. I could get another dehumidifier but don't know if that'll help.
Recty
08/31/2009, 07:29 PM
Probably not going to help to get another dehumidifier unless your current one is underrated.
Why dont you finish up the wall? You dont have to do a LOT, but put on a couple sheets of sheetrock and paint it. I used to do construction for a living, anyone with the will to do a little manual labor can put up drywall and seal it :) It might cost you a couple hundred bucks but if you can keep the fish tank, then woohoo.
Hopefully you can bring the big tank with you wherever you go.
DamnPepShrimp
08/31/2009, 08:15 PM
Well it's my rents house, we finished the other side where my reef is and it's hot and humid in there, but so far so good. I'm definitely moving out in jan, so no point in finishing the other 210g room. I could get by until then probably but I don't know if I'll be able to even take the 210g to the new rented house. Also, I don't want to deal with the same problems there then get hit with huge costs/repairs/fines from it since it's rented.
DamnPepShrimp
09/01/2009, 09:12 AM
I have seen people who have 1000g systems and they run AC units in their fishrooms. Would this really help? What about in the winter? I can't run a window unit, so I don't know what else to run.
welsher7
09/01/2009, 09:23 AM
I feel your pain DPS. i was just going through the humidity thing at my rents house too. I/we bought a large dehumidfier and it took all the humidity out. Like you though I might have to get rid of my fowlr too when I move out this coming winter or spring. I have a feeling there won't be a lot of landlords that will want 100+g fishtanks.
DamnPepShrimp
09/01/2009, 09:47 AM
So maybe I need a bigger dehumidifier? Mine is set to med/high and it doesn't run all the time. So I'd guess it isn't undersized, but its somewhat old. Will you be moving into an apartment? I had a 125g on the first floor with no problems from them. I am planning on renting a house though, need more room. I don't see them allowing over 500g of saltwater though!
welsher7
09/01/2009, 10:42 AM
I only paid only around $200 for the one i have now. It is a kenmore, it is energey star rated, and allows you to set the humidity level you want. Our runs a lot of time but does shut it self off from time to time. We have it set up in the basement and at 55% humidity.
Not sure if it will be an apt or house at this point, but it has to allow a 75g at the smallest.
DamnPepShrimp
09/01/2009, 10:47 AM
Mine can adjust humidty as well, but it isn't as nice as yours. At $200, it will have to wait until I start my new job in 2 weeks. I've been considering getting an acrylic 150g (72x24x20) and setting it up as an SPS reef so I can still have angels, I really don't know though, wish I was ready to buy a house.
welsher7
09/01/2009, 10:51 AM
Yea, a house would be nice and even better if the basement wasn't finished. Then you could do once and the right way from the start.
The dems on the 150 are awesome, 24" wide and only 20" tall. I'm short and had trouble with a 90g so 20"-22" tall are all I will go with now.
DamnPepShrimp
09/01/2009, 10:55 AM
Yeah, I would just build a fish room around a huge tank, I'm hoping on a 900g (10'x4'x3') when I buy a house. But that is a few years off. Yeah, I love shorter tanks for reefs, less electricity for lights! But for FO tanks, nothing like a tall tank with huge pillars and big fish swimming around them! Goodluck with your move, hopefully you can keep all your fish!
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