Humidity problems for large tank

[Delphinus]

I meant, does your fan run continuous during the heating season? Anyhow, I'm glad you don't have condensation issues - consider yourself lucky.

[ClubReef]

I wonder if my house has some sort of venting system built in. It's approx 3yrs old. I have a switch on my main floor that says "ventilation control" and whenever it's on, the bathroom fans turn on 24/7. Is this something similar to a HRV? I don't see an HRV unit in the basement though...

[michika]

Tagging along as I'm getting ready to start my house hunt, and I am looking at an HRV.

I used a dehumidifyer in the past when my 230g was running, and it couldn't keep up. I emptied it twice a day. In the winter I wiped down the windows twice a day. Granted it didn't help that my basement tenents felt the need to keep the house at 32.

[Delphinus]

32, wow, I'd find that unbearable.

Darryl, that switch is probably a booster fan. I have one as well (although mine isn't interlocked to the bathroom fans). It will likely help with some air turnover. At any rate, it couldn't hurt. I don't know how much power those things draw so that might be something to check into before having it on for long periods of time.

Catherine, I was really skeptical at first that the HRV would solve my wet windows but boy, did it ever fix that problem. I think I only had a tiny, tiny bit of ice buildup on my front door windows (which face north) when it hit -40 last winter for a couple days. Otherwise, my windows were more dry than other houses I visited that don't even have aquariums. The only exception was when I pulled the blinds down, they seemed to trap air in behind so overnight there would be some condensation. But otherwise it really did put a stop to having to wipe down the windows.

[michika]

...yeah my tenants were...um I think the word is "special".

I've tried the dehumidifyer, and it couldn't keep up, and required constant emptying. I think the HRV is the right way for me to go, but I still need to read up and learn more about them. I'm hoping to do a rather large system, 600+g so I need to make sure it will not only meet my needs, but won't require constant servicing.

[Delphinus]

Here's some light reading -

http://www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residenti...rks.cfm?attr=4

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...s/1275121.html

http://healthandenergy.com/heat_reco...entilators.htm

I have a "Lifebreath" brand model (forget the exact model # offhand), there's some info on their site as well: http://www.lifebreath.com/

[Doug]

Originally Posted by ClubReef

I wonder if my house has some sort of venting system built in. It's approx 3yrs old. I have a switch on my main floor that says "ventilation control" and whenever it's on, the bathroom fans turn on 24/7. Is this something similar to a HRV? I don't see an HRV unit in the basement though...

Thats sounds like a central exaust system of some kind or just a humidistat that turns on the bathroom fan. It does exaust stale humid air. My new mobile has a similar system. It even turns on the furnace fan and circulates air when the main control is engaged. I assume replacement air comes in via the fresh air vent to the furnace?

However, the problem with that system, is it exausts heat and replaces it with cold air. The HRV, helps with this problem somewhat, by passing the incoming and exaust airs through a central core.

[TheReefGuy]

I had a hummidity with my 50g reef only tank dident do much exept top off.

[ClubReef]

Well it sounds like an HRV unit is the way to go and I will be getting one of those installed.

This hobby is expensive

thanks everyone.

[michika]

Let us know how it goes for you.