How do you stop the R/O lines from Sweating?

TomToro · 09/14/2008, 09:01 AM

My R/O lines are sweating on my carpet a lot since it's rained here for days on end, Milford, Michigan.

Q:Are there some tried and true methods to stop this?

I already have a large 1300cfm fan venting the fishroom and a dehumidifier running overtime.

Thanks,
Tom Toro

HighlandReefer · 09/14/2008, 09:15 AM

A larger dehumidifier.

klm2500hd · 09/14/2008, 09:18 AM

wrapped mine with pipe insulation

Amphiprion · 09/14/2008, 09:27 AM

^^^That's going to be the most practical option.

TomToro · 09/14/2008, 09:35 AM

Where do you get pipe insulation that small? I like that solution.

HighlandReefer · 09/14/2008, 09:40 AM

Wrapping the pipes with insulating material will stop the water condensing on those lines only. I would be concerned if the humidity in the room remains high for too long a period. When the wall surfaces & flooring surfaces reach above 10 percent moisture content, mold & mildew will begin to grow. If you lift your carpet, you will find it growing there, especially in the corners. Mold & mildew can lead to some expensive problems. My two cents.

Amphiprion · 09/14/2008, 10:16 AM

Maybe it's just me, but we pretty much live with high humidity where I am. Even with central air, dehumidifying, etc. humidity is still high, but we take a lot of countermeasures against mold, anyway.

HighlandReefer · 09/14/2008, 10:24 AM

Buying the pipe insulating wrap at your local Home Depot is inexpensive and very well may work. Point taken.

I would watch the areas beneath your carpet, particulary in the corners for mold or mildew growth. If it does show up in these areas, then more drastic measures should be taken.

mayday_mayday · 09/14/2008, 04:23 PM

use warm water instead of cold . don`t let water run as long a few things. plus insulation

tweetyfish · 09/14/2008, 04:38 PM

wrapped mine with pipe insulation. Works great with no other parts condensing.

AZDesertRat · 09/14/2008, 06:15 PM

mayday, do not try mixing hot and cold water if that is what you are suggesting. That is the quickest way to melt a membrane there is. If your water is cold the best cure is a booster pump but not blended water. Have you ever been in the shower and someone flushed the toilet? You got scalded didn't you. Same thing happens to a membrane and it gets real expensive real fast.

09/14/2008, 09:01 AM	#1
TomToro Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford Michigan Posts: 251	How do you stop the R/O lines from Sweating? My R/O lines are sweating on my carpet a lot since it's rained here for days on end, Milford, Michigan. Q:Are there some tried and true methods to stop this? I already have a large 1300cfm fan venting the fishroom and a dehumidifier running overtime. Thanks, Tom Toro

09/14/2008, 09:15 AM	#2
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	A larger dehumidifier. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

09/14/2008, 09:27 AM	#4
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	^^^That's going to be the most practical option. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

09/14/2008, 09:35 AM	#5
TomToro Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford Michigan Posts: 251	Where do you get pipe insulation that small? I like that solution. __________________ 240g Great Lakes Glass, 200g stock tanks sump/refugium, ETSS 1400 skimmer w/250 panworld, Biopellets (1 liter), 4 x evergrow LED's 120w, 2 x sunbrite 460nm 6ft LED tubes, Mixed Reef, Hammerhead return

09/14/2008, 09:40 AM	#6
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Wrapping the pipes with insulating material will stop the water condensing on those lines only. I would be concerned if the humidity in the room remains high for too long a period. When the wall surfaces & flooring surfaces reach above 10 percent moisture content, mold & mildew will begin to grow. If you lift your carpet, you will find it growing there, especially in the corners. Mold & mildew can lead to some expensive problems. My two cents. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

09/14/2008, 09:18 AM	#3
klm2500hd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: chicago burbs Posts: 194	wrapped mine with pipe insulation

09/14/2008, 10:16 AM	#7
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	Maybe it's just me, but we pretty much live with high humidity where I am. Even with central air, dehumidifying, etc. humidity is still high, but we take a lot of countermeasures against mold, anyway. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

09/14/2008, 10:24 AM	#8
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Buying the pipe insulating wrap at your local Home Depot is inexpensive and very well may work. Point taken. I would watch the areas beneath your carpet, particulary in the corners for mold or mildew growth. If it does show up in these areas, then more drastic measures should be taken. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

09/14/2008, 04:23 PM	#9
mayday_mayday Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 28	use warm water instead of cold . don`t let water run as long a few things. plus insulation

09/14/2008, 04:38 PM	#10
tweetyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 361	wrapped mine with pipe insulation. Works great with no other parts condensing. __________________ To err is human To blame it on someone else Shows management potential Current Tank Info: 180 gal Oceanic

09/14/2008, 06:15 PM	#11
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	mayday, do not try mixing hot and cold water if that is what you are suggesting. That is the quickest way to melt a membrane there is. If your water is cold the best cure is a booster pump but not blended water. Have you ever been in the shower and someone flushed the toilet? You got scalded didn't you. Same thing happens to a membrane and it gets real expensive real fast.