Temperate Reef
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Condensation Issues

4 posters

Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Condensation Issues

Post by john_the_reefer September 16th 2013, 12:37 am

Hey guys, I'm having major condensation issues. Before we start, let me give you some details that might be useful: The tank is 20 gallons, 1/2 in thick acrylic, tank temp ranges from 55 to 57, I live on California's central coast, so the outside temp is always in the mid to high seventies. I figured I should be okay, but condensation is a 24/7 battle, the whole tank is covered in water about ever 5 minutes if i wipe it down. I have visited several marine biology classrooms in my area, and none of their tanks seem to have the same problem. It's annoying because I work pretty darn hard on the tank, and I seldom get to see any of the organisms in it, plus I worry about the damage to my wood stand. Any Thoughts? Thanks in advance Smile)
john_the_reefer
john_the_reefer
Fish Fry

Posts : 2
Reputation : 0
Join date : 2013-09-16

Back to top Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Re: Condensation Issues

Post by Rapide September 16th 2013, 2:35 am

Can your fauna handle any higher temperatures? For most temperate species low 60's is tolerable.
I'm all out of ideas, other than that...
Rapide
Rapide
Bay Pipefish

Posts : 66
Reputation : 0
Join date : 2013-01-13
Age : 42

Back to top Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Re: Condensation Issues

Post by snapperhead September 16th 2013, 4:41 am

Dont raise your Temps in the tank, lower the temps in the room.
Air movement like fans may help. I have a friend in Queensland ( tropical part of Australia) with a Temperate Tank and he has to run a small humidifier in his room most of the year or an Air conditioner ,its the moisture in the air thats causing the issues either lower the rooms temps or remove the moisture. There are tank designs that help prevent this ,but they cost a lot more.
snapperhead
snapperhead
Round Stingray

Posts : 172
Reputation : 4
Join date : 2011-08-22
Location : gippsland lakes

Back to top Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Re: Condensation Issues

Post by Rapide September 16th 2013, 5:20 am

Yes that too, but I assume one would like to enjoy the California weather and keep balcony or such doors and windows open.
Maybe you could drop the ambient temperature a bit and increase the tank temperture a degree or two?
Then the difference between the two temperatures wouldn't be so big...
Rapide
Rapide
Bay Pipefish

Posts : 66
Reputation : 0
Join date : 2013-01-13
Age : 42

Back to top Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Re: Condensation Issues

Post by AquaticEngineer September 22nd 2013, 11:17 pm

I would get a de-humidifier for the room.

If your room temp is 75

your tank temp is 56

than any time there is more than 50% humidity in the room you will always develop condensation.

The only ways to stop it are to either drop the room temp, lower the humidity in the room, raise the temperature of the water, or create a greater thermal variance between the inside tank temperature and the outside temperature of the tank by having thicker acrylic.
AquaticEngineer
AquaticEngineer
Moderator

Posts : 663
Reputation : 9
Join date : 2010-03-20
Age : 43
Location : Damascus, Oregon

Back to top Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Re: Condensation Issues

Post by john_the_reefer September 23rd 2013, 12:04 am

Hey Guys! Thanks for all the replies! Very Happy you've all been very helpful, I Figured out what the issue was though! Smile)) So, i had been using the chiller's digital thermostat as a thermometer, but to double check this issue, I bought another thermometer, which showed that when the thermostat was at 55, the tank was 49.5-50, so, I set the chiller to 59, and now, there's only been one day with condensation (it was humid and rainy)
john_the_reefer
john_the_reefer
Fish Fry

Posts : 2
Reputation : 0
Join date : 2013-09-16

Back to top Go down

Condensation Issues Empty Re: Condensation Issues

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum