Sump moisture issues

carel16 · 12/13/2011, 10:02 AM

Hey reef centralites! I am getting back on the wagon after a long hiatus and just set up a 90 gallon AGA in my living room.

Everything is still cycling but I got some primo live rock and great deal on all of the equipment. I am running a simple set up - an original reef octopus 160, an AC Jr., 1 MP40w and 1 small Korallia. The lighting that came with the tank is 5 t5 connected to an icecap vho ballast.

But enough about the specs, on to the current issue that is concerning me - I am getting water beads under the tank from what seems to be humidity building up in the stand. Because the stand is in our living area, I am reluctant to drill holes in it and it is enclosed on all sides to reduce noise. I am guessing I will have to drill holes but I thought I would reach out to the best reef community in the world and see what y'all thought.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Danzig · 12/13/2011, 10:36 AM

I peraonally would drill a small whole throw a pc fan in there to exhaust it and then on the back side of the stand drill a whole for a passive intake. Thats just my easy fix.

beatle · 12/13/2011, 11:32 AM

Humidity needs somewhere to go. You might be able to cut it back by covering as much of your sump as you can and eliminate splashing and bubbles. by running Herbie or Beananimal style plumbing.

If you do cut a hole, cut two. A single fan exhausting from a closed box will create a vacuum and not exhaust much air. Two in a push/pull configuration on opposite sides would be ideal. Having a single fan and a separate opening would be better than nothing.

jiperalta · 12/13/2011, 12:40 PM

I also lined the bottom with PVC meant for sealing underneath a shower or tub. With about a 3" lip all around the bottom, it will also hold about 5-7 gals of overflow just in case. But I would also recommend a cheap clipon fan blowing out to lower humidity.

billwill · 12/13/2011, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danzig

I peraonally would drill a small whole throw a pc fan in there to exhaust it and then on the back side of the stand drill a whole for a passive intake. Thats just my easy fix.

What he said. That's exactly what I've got in my stand and it works perfect. Computer fan is actually cheaper and much less bulky than clip on fan, and moves enough air to do the job.

Telaverus · 12/14/2011, 01:07 PM

Fans pulling have a shorter lifespan than pushing. If you are going with one fan you are better to use it to push air into a box than to pull air out of a box.

With the equipment I design I try to follow this rule of thumb whenever possible, granted, the prices of the fans we are talking about for our hobby are minimal but it doesn't hurt to do it right.

Also, a push pull scenario isn't ideal either, you are better with just one/two/three pushing IMO.

thegrun · 12/14/2011, 03:43 PM

When I built my cabinet I added perforated metal to the front, one side has a fan, the other allows air to escape.

Telaverus · 12/14/2011, 05:54 PM

Beautiful cabinet!

Indymann99 · 12/14/2011, 08:18 PM

I had some sump moisture condensation but I was able to correct by 1. running a light over the sump that heats the space and provides light for cheeto growth, and adjusting the stand doors (top and bottom in my case) so that they sit 1/4 in off the frames to allow air in the bottom and out through the top.

Given the room and design I really didnt want to cut holes in the doors.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...kdoorsopen.jpg

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...nk12132009.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ement52009.jpg
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...mp12132009.jpg

12/13/2011, 10:02 AM	#1
carel16 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA - Home of Sharks! Posts: 16	Sump moisture issues Hey reef centralites! I am getting back on the wagon after a long hiatus and just set up a 90 gallon AGA in my living room. Everything is still cycling but I got some primo live rock and great deal on all of the equipment. I am running a simple set up - an original reef octopus 160, an AC Jr., 1 MP40w and 1 small Korallia. The lighting that came with the tank is 5 t5 connected to an icecap vho ballast. But enough about the specs, on to the current issue that is concerning me - I am getting water beads under the tank from what seems to be humidity building up in the stand. Because the stand is in our living area, I am reluctant to drill holes in it and it is enclosed on all sides to reduce noise. I am guessing I will have to drill holes but I thought I would reach out to the best reef community in the world and see what y'all thought. Thanks in advance for any help!

12/13/2011, 10:36 AM	#2
Danzig Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 694	I peraonally would drill a small whole throw a pc fan in there to exhaust it and then on the back side of the stand drill a whole for a passive intake. Thats just my easy fix. __________________ Keep our planet clean "PH s/b 7.9-8.3, salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp abt 80. Alk and cal will not rise if mg is low."

12/14/2011, 01:07 PM	#6
Telaverus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 212	Fans pulling have a shorter lifespan than pushing. If you are going with one fan you are better to use it to push air into a box than to pull air out of a box. With the equipment I design I try to follow this rule of thumb whenever possible, granted, the prices of the fans we are talking about for our hobby are minimal but it doesn't hurt to do it right. Also, a push pull scenario isn't ideal either, you are better with just one/two/three pushing IMO. __________________ Stu Retired 500g system... Researching and building a nice and relaxing 65g display

12/14/2011, 05:54 PM	#8
Telaverus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 212	Beautiful cabinet! __________________ Stu Retired 500g system... Researching and building a nice and relaxing 65g display

12/14/2011, 08:18 PM	#9
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I had some sump moisture condensation but I was able to correct by 1. running a light over the sump that heats the space and provides light for cheeto growth, and adjusting the stand doors (top and bottom in my case) so that they sit 1/4 in off the frames to allow air in the bottom and out through the top. Given the room and design I really didnt want to cut holes in the doors. http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...kdoorsopen.jpg http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...nk12132009.jpg http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ement52009.jpg http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...mp12132009.jpg __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

12/13/2011, 11:32 AM	#3
beatle Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 295	Humidity needs somewhere to go. You might be able to cut it back by covering as much of your sump as you can and eliminate splashing and bubbles. by running Herbie or Beananimal style plumbing. If you do cut a hole, cut two. A single fan exhausting from a closed box will create a vacuum and not exhaust much air. Two in a push/pull configuration on opposite sides would be ideal. Having a single fan and a separate opening would be better than nothing.

12/13/2011, 12:40 PM	#4
jiperalta Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: coolidge, ga Posts: 165	I also lined the bottom with PVC meant for sealing underneath a shower or tub. With about a 3" lip all around the bottom, it will also hold about 5-7 gals of overflow just in case. But I would also recommend a cheap clipon fan blowing out to lower humidity.

12/14/2011, 03:43 PM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	When I built my cabinet I added perforated metal to the front, one side has a fan, the other allows air to escape.

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