reef tank causing indoor mold?

[GRocks]

I have noticed a bit of mold growing on one my living room walls since putting my reef tank upstairs, but im not sure if this is due to the recent climate change, a leak in my house/ ceiling, the evaporation from my tank this winter, or any combination of these. I have to tap off my 80 gallon system with about 1-1.5 gallons per day in the recent weather and im sure the water has to go somewhere. I also notice what appears to be condensation on my walls even in dry but cold weather. Either way, ill be trying out a dehumidifier. Does anyone have any suggestions? They would me much appreciated. Thanks!

[sfsuphysics]

and im sure the water has to go somewhere.

You got that right, the water does go someplace, into the air, which is in the room, now with adequate ventilation this isn't a problem because the more humid air simply cycles out of the room, however in colder times we try to minimize ventilation via the outside air (it's cold afterall!) so what we get stuck with is 1.5 gallons of water every day being put into your living room (and to a lesser degree other parts of the house). It doesn't take much to see how this can have adverse effects.

If you can't vent your fish tank at all (open window what not), a dehumidifier is a good option. Also to clean up the mold a little bleach on a paper towel works wonders.

[GRocks]

Thanks Mike. I wiped down all the mold with a 1:10 bleach / water mixture. I will definitely do one of your suggestions to save my walls. Does anyone have any experience with dehumidifiers? Id like to find out which one would be less energy intensive in the long run.

[seminolecpa]

Another good possible option is to install an exhaust fan (similar to that used in bathrooms) in the room with your tank.

[ALEX007]

Is it possible to use a ac unit with the ac portion turned off???

[fishnfst]

Depending on how new your house is the air transfer from indoor to outdoors may not be enough.. Most new housing is pretty air tight to help in sulation.. If your place is older there should be plenty of air transfer through the house.. Just putting a couple of small fans to circulate air in the given room should help..


A guy from bluewater hazardous material clean up told me once to just use a small 8" fan in one of my downstairs storage rooms to circulate the air in the room and the mildew smell would not come back ocne I cleaned the walls off.. 3 years now and the room still smells good.. Not damp and mildewey...

[superedge88]

One easy thing I found to be helpful is to have the furnace fan on all the time. All I had to do is flip the fan switch on my thermostat from "auto" to "on" and now it is continually circulating the air in my house, and keeps the house from having a build up of humidity in one room.