chaostactics Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I've got a glass top on my IM 30 tank because I have humidity issues in my basement. Is there anyway to prevent the condensate build up? Defogger or something?I'm worried about the variability it inflicts on the PAR in my tank. Link to comment
xmas_one Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I wouldn't worry much about the variability the condensation is inflicting on your lighting intensity. It would be negligible at best. Link to comment
the_gats Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Just read this on WAMAS too. Link to comment
seabass Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 I wouldn't put any sort of coating on the glass top. Leave as is, or get a mesh top. Link to comment
markalot Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Mesh top would not solve humidity issues people. I use glass tops. Little par loss due to condensation, but over a month crud will build up so plan to remove and wipe down monthly. I measured a 4 par drop with clean, but not spotless, glass. Link to comment
seabass Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Mesh top would not solve humidity issues people.That was my first reaction too. While no top or a mesh top will not accumulate condensation, you will still have a humidity issue. In fact, you will add to it. A dehumidifier might be a better solution for your home. Link to comment
Chew_Magna Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Superhydrophobic spray? It would be interesting to try for a glass/acrylic top. Link to comment
Chew_Magna Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 What is the humidity issue? Probably too much evap. I have the same problem, I just like running an open top. Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Superhydrophobic spray? It would be interesting to try for a glass/acrylic top. The stuff that repels all liquids? Apparently it isn't clear from what I am told but hazy when sprayed on a clear surface. (no idea what happened to my last reply) Probably too much evap. I have the same problem, I just like running an open top. Evap is part of the game and why an ATO is so key, I am not a fan of glass tops so close to the waters surface. Link to comment
Chew_Magna Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 ATO pfft. I top off by hand. Link to comment
Pinner Reef Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 A fan blowing across the surface of the glass will prevent condensation on both sides. This is a common tactic used on terrariums. Link to comment
Formula462 Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 You have to beat science Link to comment
Nocturnal Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Superhydrophobic spray? It would be interesting to try for a glass/acrylic top. They sell that stuff now that you can spray on boots or whatever to make materials fully hydrophobic. Would be a cool experiment at least. Link to comment
Mojado Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Humidity issue in the basement. . .so you don't want to add to the humidity in the basement with an open top? Or are you worried about effects high humidity will have on your tank? Link to comment
patback Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Any basement with finished walls should run dehumidifiers if you live in a humid area to prevent molds. House> tank. Keep the glass, wipe down as part of maintenance and run dehumidifiers. Or run mesh with duhumififiers and keep an ato full. Link to comment
Chew_Magna Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 They sell that stuff now that you can spray on boots or whatever to make materials fully hydrophobic. Would be a cool experiment at least. Someone should do a test to see how much par it would block or if the UV would deteriorate it. Link to comment
chaostactics Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Humidity issue in the basement. . .so you don't want to add to the humidity in the basement with an open top? Or are you worried about effects high humidity will have on your tank? Should have been more clear the glass is in place to reduce humidity in the basement. Link to comment
xmas_one Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Sounds like someone has a humidity problem in their basement. Link to comment
StevieT Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 It's only 20 or so gallons. You should have a dehumidifier anyway. You're getting way more humidity from just being underground. Link to comment
chaostactics Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 The prevailing theories are that the condensation will cause minimal par loss. So I'll leave it well enough alone Sounds like someone has a humidity problem in their basement. Yep that's the case Link to comment
RustyRocket Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 They sell that stuff now that you can spray on boots or whatever to make materials fully hydrophobic. Would be a cool experiment at least. I did this, you can buy it at any UGG's store or online. I just used my gf's, those boots are part of college girls uniform if you know what i mean. I covered a small square in the corner of the glass lid with masking tape, about 1cm by 1cm, and sprayed the entire glass. I removed the corner patch and put the lid on my pico, I stuck a small bit of plastic on the part that holds the glass lid opposite side of the "unsprayed" corner. This is to rise the lid by like 3 or 4 degrees so that any droplets that form would roll off into a corner. My concern was what if this stuff gets picked up from the condensation and fall into the tank, then I slapped myself and called myself an idiot since its hydrophobic it wouldnt mix with the water. I had it when I was in college for about 2 years, tank was perfectly fine. I did it just so I can see through down in the tank better, and for sh!ts and giggles thats all. Link to comment
Islandoftiki Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 For what it's worth, we run a dehumidifier in our basement which would be damp and musty without it. It's extremely effective. It's so effective that I've given up having a tank in the basement without an ATO because the evaporation is too much every day to prevent big salinity swings. You might consider running a dehumidifier for the moisture issue. Link to comment
chaostactics Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Yea I'm in the market for a high energy efficiency dehumidifier Link to comment
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