Aquariums causing problems with Central Air

ashtree68 · 07/22/2011, 10:47 AM

So not 100% sure where a good place for this to be was, sorry if this isn't it mods please move it to better location/delete and let me know or what ever is easiest.

Background:
I have central air in my Chicago apartment, this past week the temperatures have been upper 80's with the last two days reaching nearly 100* with heat indexes over 100*, so its been very very hot.

I usually keep my AC at 72-74*, last year when I first moved in the AC stopped working, landlord came in fixed it without any problems and all was well, it was fixed within the day. She never said what was wrong and I didn't bother to ask at the time. Yesterday I saw that the apt was 75* and figured since it was so much hotter outside they were having problems keeping up with the increase demand. I checked the tank temps they were a little higher than usual but nothing alarming.

A little before midnight last night it was noticeably warmer in the apt about 80-83* tanks were getting warmer than I would have liked shut off the lights/opened the stands and threw some ice bottles in the sump to try and keep it manageable.

I have a 125g tank who's temp is fine and not concerning me yet, a 90/24g combined through a common sump, which was the one getting warm. and then a couple small tanks in my bedroom that are fine.

Problem:

My flatmate called my landlord to tell her that it wasn't cooling she said that last time this happened the filters were wet and tried to place blame on it because of the aquariums. I changed the filters a week ago and they were not damp or wet. Has any one else had the evaporation from their tanks cause problems with their central air/filters?

Apartment is a two bed, two bath, about 1400 square foot (estimate maybe bigger than that not positive)

mess7777 · 07/22/2011, 11:04 AM

I would say having the tank makes the AC work harder, but shouldn't stop it from working. It's basically because you have more humidity than the air would otherwise have, not to mentoin the heat given off by lights, water, equipment, etc.

I found even in the winter that my heaters worked less hard since having the tank.

Allmost · 07/22/2011, 11:09 AM

get a dehumidifier.

it will make your AC work more efficiently.

and will also make living easier for yourself [less humidity]

do you see condensation on the AC unit ?

high humidity can cause mold to grow as well !

I live in a 1 bedroom condo, with just too many tanks [40% of floor is tanks] so I had alot of ISsues, but a dehumidifier solved them all, it got so bad I couldnt even breathe right in the apt.

good luck

strittmatter · 07/22/2011, 12:23 PM

I just had my a/c worked on because it stopped working. The issue was the outside condensor. but he looked at the unit in inside and I asked him if he thinks there is any extra wear or rust cause of the humidity. He said it all looked normal for the age. And I know the humidity in my house is higher then normal.

Paco · 07/22/2011, 12:44 PM

The tanks have nothing to do with it. If the filter is wet it's because the evaporator is icing up, typically due to being clogged with dirt and dust. She needs to have the coils cleaned inside and out and then use a good quality filter changed monthly to keep it clean.

disc1 · 07/22/2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paco

The tanks have nothing to do with it. If the filter is wet it's because the evaporator is icing up, typically due to being clogged with dirt and dust. She needs to have the coils cleaned inside and out and then use a good quality filter changed monthly to keep it clean.

^^^ This is it!

Allmost · 07/22/2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paco

The tanks have nothing to do with it. If the filter is wet it's because the evaporator is icing up, typically due to being clogged with dirt and dust. She needs to have the coils cleaned inside and out and then use a good quality filter changed monthly to keep it clean.

oh you change it monthly ??

I do it every 6-8 months :S guess that's why lol and I smoke inside, so at 8 months, the filter is NASTY.
thanks.

Cable_Guy · 07/22/2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allmost

oh you change it monthly ??

I do it every 6-8 months :S guess that's why lol and I smoke inside, so at 8 months, the filter is NASTY.
thanks.

What happens is the filter clogs causing less air flow. This causes the condenser inside the furnace / duct work to ice up and then start to melt. Depending on how your set up is, this water could be dripping down from above onto the filter.

Change it AT LEAST every 3 months, I would go 1-2 since you smoke.

07/22/2011, 10:47 AM	#1
ashtree68 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincoln Park-Chicago Posts: 1,922	Aquariums causing problems with Central Air So not 100% sure where a good place for this to be was, sorry if this isn't it mods please move it to better location/delete and let me know or what ever is easiest. Background: I have central air in my Chicago apartment, this past week the temperatures have been upper 80's with the last two days reaching nearly 100* with heat indexes over 100, so its been very very hot. I usually keep my AC at 72-74, last year when I first moved in the AC stopped working, landlord came in fixed it without any problems and all was well, it was fixed within the day. She never said what was wrong and I didn't bother to ask at the time. Yesterday I saw that the apt was 75* and figured since it was so much hotter outside they were having problems keeping up with the increase demand. I checked the tank temps they were a little higher than usual but nothing alarming. A little before midnight last night it was noticeably warmer in the apt about 80-83* tanks were getting warmer than I would have liked shut off the lights/opened the stands and threw some ice bottles in the sump to try and keep it manageable. I have a 125g tank who's temp is fine and not concerning me yet, a 90/24g combined through a common sump, which was the one getting warm. and then a couple small tanks in my bedroom that are fine. Problem: My flatmate called my landlord to tell her that it wasn't cooling she said that last time this happened the filters were wet and tried to place blame on it because of the aquariums. I changed the filters a week ago and they were not damp or wet. Has any one else had the evaporation from their tanks cause problems with their central air/filters? Apartment is a two bed, two bath, about 1400 square foot (estimate maybe bigger than that not positive) __________________ -Ashton

07/22/2011, 12:44 PM	#5
Paco Move Don Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 1,210	The tanks have nothing to do with it. If the filter is wet it's because the evaporator is icing up, typically due to being clogged with dirt and dust. She needs to have the coils cleaned inside and out and then use a good quality filter changed monthly to keep it clean. __________________ Fish are nitrate factories. Remove them and watch your nitrates come down. Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Central Air Conditioning and Low PH	DLANDINO	The Reef Chemistry Forum	2	08/01/2010 08:04 PM
OT I want to get central air any cooling guys out there?	aww_419	Upstate Reef Society	12	06/03/2010 02:55 PM
Central air affect ph	Haddonisreef	The Reef Chemistry Forum	6	06/18/2008 05:47 AM
Aquarium Job Opportunity in Central NJ!	Minotaur15	Announcements	13	08/29/2006 03:11 PM

07/22/2011, 11:04 AM	#2
mess7777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: QC,QC Posts: 987	I would say having the tank makes the AC work harder, but shouldn't stop it from working. It's basically because you have more humidity than the air would otherwise have, not to mentoin the heat given off by lights, water, equipment, etc. I found even in the winter that my heaters worked less hard since having the tank.

07/22/2011, 11:09 AM	#3
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	get a dehumidifier. it will make your AC work more efficiently. and will also make living easier for yourself [less humidity] do you see condensation on the AC unit ? high humidity can cause mold to grow as well ! I live in a 1 bedroom condo, with just too many tanks [40% of floor is tanks] so I had alot of ISsues, but a dehumidifier solved them all, it got so bad I couldnt even breathe right in the apt. good luck

07/22/2011, 12:23 PM	#4
strittmatter Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 409	I just had my a/c worked on because it stopped working. The issue was the outside condensor. but he looked at the unit in inside and I asked him if he thinks there is any extra wear or rust cause of the humidity. He said it all looked normal for the age. And I know the humidity in my house is higher then normal.