moisture

Does anyone use a dehumidifier at home while running a reef tank? The evaporation rate on our tank is about 2.5 gallons per day. My question is where is all that moisture going? I'm afraid its just hanging around and may cause mold or something. Would a dehumidifier also speed up the evaporation rate though?

 

I'm no scientist in any way but my understanding of it is that the dryer the air is in your home and and the area you live in, the more evaporation you will have. If the humidity is very low (like in AZ) you will most likely have a higher evaporation rate as in somewhere like FL where the air is really humid. Maybe someone else will chime in with more scientific knowledge. lol

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

ok, maybe I wasn't clear with my question. Here in AZ where it is 100+ degrees everyday, and we keep windows and doors closed. With the air being dry and such, where is all the evaporated water going? I am worried that the evaporated water is just hanging around in the house (as it feels a bit humid). Not sure if that makes any more sense or not lol

 

Yes kdneo, you make perfect sense. There is always moisture in the air no matter where you live. You don't need to worry about moisture building up to the point of it starting mold growth. If the air in your house was really humid, I would think that your evaporation rate would drop. It can also be affected by the heat from your lights above the tank. Evaporation is just something us reefers have to deal with. 2.5 gallons per day does seem like quite a bit though. What size tank do you have? I just moved out to Maricopa AZ and my newly built 46 BF looses about 1/2-3/4 gaollons per day due to evaporation.

 

250 gallons, running 2 250watt MH lights with 4 PC's as well

 

IMO it sounds like you have about the same evaporation rate that I do. The more water volume you are running through your sytem the more evap you will have. Covering the tank and/or fuge may help if you have not done so already but it will also cut down of your gas exchange so it's kind of a catch 22.

 

Your tank evaporation is totally normal. I live in NJ with 60-80% average humidity in the summer (often going above that) - I have a 120 gallon tank and we go through about a gallon/day in the summer. That sounds like it equates well to your larger tank in a dry climate. The small amount of moisture is likely being felt in your house because you are used to <20% humidity on average. So even 40% is still too low. Woodworking professionals recommend 40-60% humidity indoors be maintained to keep wood from swelling and warping. Do you have an indoor thermometer with a humidity readout? I am curious what your actual value is.

Either way - you are in no danger of creating a mold-haven, and 2.5 gallons/day on that size tank sounds spot on!

 

good deal, thanks for the help!

 

To answer your question; The evaporated, or not quite evaporated, water goes into the air in molecules, and depending on the density of each molecule, will be deposited on the ceiling, in the carpet, drapes etc. Not to worry though. In your dry climate, the deposited molecules will dissipate and become harmless or should I say, not allowed to gather and build upon themselves. If you have air conditioning, which I believe you must, the unit is in a way de-humidifying the air by pulling all the humid out and pumping cooled air in. It is conditioning the air and hence our simple term "Air Conditioner". So, drier air will equate to more evaporation or pulling some water from your tank, but not excessively. I hope I answered your question adequately.