"Fish Room" in Utility Room with HVAC/Electrical?

audiophile42 · 06/25/2014, 08:14 PM

I had a 90g reef set up a few years back, but got out of the hobby for a bit after a combination of a mini-flood in a 2nd floor apartment and perpetual +60hr work weeks for a while. I moved into my first house last year and am now thinking about jumping back in with 180g or 210g FOWLR in the basement.

I've always liked the idea of a fish room, and the spot where I would put the tank is right next to a decent sized utility room (200ish square feet). I could put a sump, large containers for running RO/DI and water changes, and a sink in there. The thing is though, it's the actual utility room with the circuit breaker for the whole house, HVAC system, and water heater. Ideally the fish room wouldn't be in the same place as tons of electricity and connected to all the air ducts in the house, but I wanted to see if other people think it would be a problem, or if I'm being paranoid.

If it was just large containers for mixing SW and running RO/DI I think it might be OK, but running a sump and all the things connected to it can generate some water and salt spray. I certainly don't want to rust out my HVAC system and ducts or damage the circuit breaker (or worse have a fire hazard). I sketched up a quick diagram with dimensions (blue objects exist there already, green would be going in). And in the pics, the wooden shelves would be torn down. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

RockyProndoa · 06/25/2014, 08:50 PM

While I am certainly no expert on the matter, I have a very similar setup to your proposed plan - I have a 125g in-wall tank in my basement. My basement is divided in half longitudinally, with the "guts" of my tank sitting in the same long half as the breaker box, furnace, etc. Its a very similar setup to yours.

To combat the inevitable humidity rise from the pumps, open tank top, sumps, etc. I have a dehumidifier placed in the room set to certain humidity setting (I keep mine at 55%). It holds about 2-3 gal of water and I have to empty it every other day, however, it does do the trick!

I have yet to notice any condensation on anything (my wife even has books on the shelves), so I figure the dehumudifier must be doing its job. Tank has only been setup for about 1-2 months, so I can't speak to the long term effects, but as for now it seems to be doing its job.

Reading other posts, I know some people utilize squirrel cage fans with a humidistat piped to outside the house, but I don't feel that setup is necessary with my setup, or yours, for that matter. Just my .02.

Indymann99 · 06/26/2014, 06:00 AM

As long as you can keep the HVAC clear of any "spray" you will be fine.

I have had my mix tank and QT next to my HVAC in the mech room of the basement for 8yrs with no HVAC issues or signs of rust.

My HVAC is on the left just outside the picture.

thegrun · 06/26/2014, 06:48 AM

Your biggest problem may be with carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen. If your pH runs low you may need to use a fan to push fresh air into the room, as the furnace and water heater will use oxygen and leave the room higher than normal with carbon dioxide.

billdogg · 06/26/2014, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Your biggest problem may be with carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen. If your pH runs low you may need to use a fan to push fresh air into the room, as the furnace and water heater will use oxygen and leave the room higher than normal with carbon dioxide.

Hadn't even thought of that!

My fishroom is in the same room as the HW/HVAC in the basement. It is also used as a storage room. When I first set it up it was a bit humid so I put in a dehumidifier that drains to the slop sink. No more problems.

Indymann99 · 06/26/2014, 10:53 AM

Yeah my PH runs lower that I would like, but as my DT and Sump are also in the basement and I am sure that Co2 is a bit higher in the basement.

I do run the HVAC in ON (24x7x365) vs AUTO to help circulate the air between the 3x floors. This also helps with humidity leveling it out in the whole house.

Now that we have started the HOT part of summer in Indy (AC running a lot), my whole house humidifier is actually adding humidity via the HVAC system.

MrineLfRlz · 03/05/2015, 09:15 AM

updates?

Sk8r · 03/05/2015, 10:46 AM

I have an almost identical arrangement, except I only have the sump downstairs. Put two 1" holes through the floor, and it's great---especially the floor drain and utility sink. Put a smoke alarm down there, and a water alarm on the floor is not a bad idea.

mcgyvr · 03/05/2015, 11:27 AM

splash control/water alarm/humidity control..
IMO its no different from anywhere else.. Just another room..

JJ70 · 03/05/2015, 09:58 PM

I have mine in my mechanical room in the basement as well. Just installed a utility sink today as a matter of fact. Not concerned.

06/25/2014, 08:14 PM	#1
audiophile42 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 410	"Fish Room" in Utility Room with HVAC/Electrical? I had a 90g reef set up a few years back, but got out of the hobby for a bit after a combination of a mini-flood in a 2nd floor apartment and perpetual +60hr work weeks for a while. I moved into my first house last year and am now thinking about jumping back in with 180g or 210g FOWLR in the basement. I've always liked the idea of a fish room, and the spot where I would put the tank is right next to a decent sized utility room (200ish square feet). I could put a sump, large containers for running RO/DI and water changes, and a sink in there. The thing is though, it's the actual utility room with the circuit breaker for the whole house, HVAC system, and water heater. Ideally the fish room wouldn't be in the same place as tons of electricity and connected to all the air ducts in the house, but I wanted to see if other people think it would be a problem, or if I'm being paranoid. If it was just large containers for mixing SW and running RO/DI I think it might be OK, but running a sump and all the things connected to it can generate some water and salt spray. I certainly don't want to rust out my HVAC system and ducts or damage the circuit breaker (or worse have a fire hazard). I sketched up a quick diagram with dimensions (blue objects exist there already, green would be going in). And in the pics, the wooden shelves would be torn down. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

06/26/2014, 06:00 AM	#3
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	As long as you can keep the HVAC clear of any "spray" you will be fine. I have had my mix tank and QT next to my HVAC in the mech room of the basement for 8yrs with no HVAC issues or signs of rust. My HVAC is on the left just outside the picture. __________________ 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

06/26/2014, 10:53 AM	#6
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	Yeah my PH runs lower that I would like, but as my DT and Sump are also in the basement and I am sure that Co2 is a bit higher in the basement. I do run the HVAC in ON (24x7x365) vs AUTO to help circulate the air between the 3x floors. This also helps with humidity leveling it out in the whole house. Now that we have started the HOT part of summer in Indy (AC running a lot), my whole house humidifier is actually adding humidity via the HVAC system. __________________ 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

03/05/2015, 09:15 AM	#7
MrineLfRlz Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: eldon M.O. Posts: 1,167	updates? __________________ Jim its not a obsession its a way of life!--75g DT/125g sump/40g growout/30g frag/ATI sun power x8/t5 on DT/X2 D120 leds 40g/Sun blaze x4/t5 30g Current Tank Info: BubbleMagus(calc.,alk/Clearwater CW-300 Scrubber//56wAQUA UV/Reef Oct.SRO6000SSS Protein sk./1/10HP Chiller/GENESIS AWC

03/05/2015, 10:46 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I have an almost identical arrangement, except I only have the sump downstairs. Put two 1" holes through the floor, and it's great---especially the floor drain and utility sink. Put a smoke alarm down there, and a water alarm on the floor is not a bad idea. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/25/2014, 08:50 PM	#2
RockyProndoa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 204	While I am certainly no expert on the matter, I have a very similar setup to your proposed plan - I have a 125g in-wall tank in my basement. My basement is divided in half longitudinally, with the "guts" of my tank sitting in the same long half as the breaker box, furnace, etc. Its a very similar setup to yours. To combat the inevitable humidity rise from the pumps, open tank top, sumps, etc. I have a dehumidifier placed in the room set to certain humidity setting (I keep mine at 55%). It holds about 2-3 gal of water and I have to empty it every other day, however, it does do the trick! I have yet to notice any condensation on anything (my wife even has books on the shelves), so I figure the dehumudifier must be doing its job. Tank has only been setup for about 1-2 months, so I can't speak to the long term effects, but as for now it seems to be doing its job. Reading other posts, I know some people utilize squirrel cage fans with a humidistat piped to outside the house, but I don't feel that setup is necessary with my setup, or yours, for that matter. Just my .02.

06/26/2014, 06:48 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Your biggest problem may be with carbon dioxide and a lack of oxygen. If your pH runs low you may need to use a fan to push fresh air into the room, as the furnace and water heater will use oxygen and leave the room higher than normal with carbon dioxide.

03/05/2015, 11:27 AM	#9
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	splash control/water alarm/humidity control.. IMO its no different from anywhere else.. Just another room..

03/05/2015, 09:58 PM	#10
JJ70 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Billings, Montana Posts: 401	I have mine in my mechanical room in the basement as well. Just installed a utility sink today as a matter of fact. Not concerned. __________________ Jeff Current Tank Info: 120g with 40b sump, AquaMaxx ConeS CO2, 2x250MH 14K, LiterMeter System