Cover Glass

[jobr]

A few days ago I started a topic on condensation (apologies I don't know how to post a link to that thread in to this one).
The basic jist is overnight the house becomes full of condensation on the patio doors (literally running off) and has now started to affect walls / curtains etc.

From replies on the other thread I have decided to get a Dehumidifier asap.

However I have another question.

My tank is currently open top (Aqua Medic Percula 120) If I was to have a piece of glass cut that covered three quaters of the tank (not the ends of the tank thus air from the cooling fans can still be directed at the waters surface will this help to reduce my evaporation or am I being stupid and just as much will get out but through a smaller outlet?

The final question would be in doing this (as long as I keep the glass clean) will I suffer any loss of light penetration?

Thanks in advance

[wayne in norway]

I think it would catch quite a lot at night, but nothing during the day. Water will still get out the gap, but at night quite a lot will ocndense onto the glass. During the day the glass will warm and it will be no use. I guess youcould put it on at night.
It will cause overheating problems possibly, , and it will cut down on light transmission no matter how clean it is.

[slappy]

Originally posted by jobr@Nov 9 2005, 09:57
1. A few days ago I started a topic on condensation (apologies I don't know how to post a link to that thread in to this one).


2. The final question would be in doing this (as long as I keep the glass clean) will I suffer any loss of light penetration?

3. Thanks in advance
1. Just copy the URL link and paste it.

2. I would imagine so. Why not just put the glass on overnight and remove in the morning or just before the halides come on.

3. You're welcome.

[Hardip]

It will almost certainly help reduce the condensation, albeit ideally it ought to be fully covered to have maximum effect. At the same time, it can help on heat loss.

Keep in mind that when doing this, the condensation will reach the underneath of the cover glass, so cleaning it from the top won't suffice if you want to have this on full-time.

[jobr]

Thanks for the replies.

With a little more thought, I don't need the glass during the day as I haven't got a problem then. Secondly the Halides go off at 22.30 so by putting it on overnight it may reduce the problem plus it won't affect my lighting!

[Found Nemo, what now?]

Erm, might be being thick here, but...

(and I'm sure you'll all tell me ;) )

How will it benefit only covering the tank at night?
Surely the water evaporates all day too? More so because of extra heat from lights (in my case anyway)

on the house.room bit...

Is it maybe just that it's colder outside than inside overnight?

If so, might be an idea to look at some way to cut down cold on patio doors?

Just a thought (or two)


:thumbsup:

[jobr]

Originally posted by Found Nemo, what now?@Nov 9 2005, 13:44
Erm, might be being thick here, but...

(and I'm sure you'll all tell me ;) )

How will it benefit only covering the tank at night?
Surely the water evaporates all day too? More so because of extra heat from lights (in my case anyway)

on the house.room bit...

Is it maybe just that it's colder outside than inside overnight?

If so, might be an idea to look at some way to cut down cold on patio doors?

Just a thought (or two)


:thumbsup:
Don't think your being thick at all, some good points.

Yes I believe the cold outside and warmth inside plays a big part in the problem of the rivers running down the four doors. But i think the tank also contributes.
During the day if someone is home the doors are open even if only half an inch, and we have no problems.
As the evening goes on it starts to build slightly on the doors, by the time you get up the problem has got out of control.

So the main issue is overnight hence the idea of glass being on the tank overnight only.

[hairyduck]

I've been thinking about doing a night time cover for my chromis, during the day it's not really an issue as I generally have the window open but at night when the trouble starts

[jobr]

Glad Im not alone with my troubles ;)

[windsor]

If you are using metal halide lights, the addition of glass cover-glasses will affect the light spectrum; the silica in the glass has an adverse affect. Not necessarily detrimental, but reduces the benefits of such lighting. I have also been told, but this is only what I have heard, that using acrylic or similar covers does not have this affect

[jobr]

Originally posted by windsor-aquatic@Nov 9 2005, 21:51
If you are using metal halide lights, the addition of glass cover-glasses will affect the light spectrum; the silica in the glass has an adverse affect. Not necessarily detrimental, but reduces the benefits of such lighting. I have also been told, but this is only what I have heard, that using acrylic or similar covers does not have this affect
Thanks keith.

If i go with the glass option as opposed to acrylic I plan only to have it on over night (when I have the problem) and thus the lights will be off by then.

Thanks for the input.

[yipkm]

Most LFS should supply condensation filters, just pieces of plastic, some are corrugated in shape, I have been putting mine on at night to stop the fish from jumping out (for some reason its always the same clown, has done it twice luckinly when been watching tv around 00.00am) and take them off in the morning dripping with water.

[Mark L]

i had exactly the same problem with my perc 120 and condensation at night...the issue isnt a day night thing its just that its visable at night when the condensation occurs due to the inside out side temp i run a de humidifier now and have no problem and you can actaully feel the rooms more comfortable to be in.
as a comparison i have to empty the container 3 times in the day but can run it all night so the bulk of the moisure is produced in the day and then condenses out at night if your removing the moisture with a dehumidifieer through the hours its produces as in when your halides are on you will not need a cover.
The cover on the tank at night will prevent only a very small amount of evaporation produced at a time when evaporation is at its lowest.
Try the dehumidiifer youll see it solves all but if you can get one with a 10ltr collection pot as mines way to small 2ltrs
putting a cover over the tank when the halides are on is going to heat up and retain that heat in your tank even if you have an open tank and a small fan this only maintains the heat loss through assisting evaporation if you reduce the surface area for the fan to act on youll reduce the cooling efficieny of the fan and so heat will build up.

Wow quite a rant

Mark.

[jobr]

Cheers Mark.

I am getting a Dehumidifier tomorrow.

The idea was to only use the cover at night, hence it wouldn't affect the lights. But then I had the same thoughts as you and binned the idea.

Hopefully as in your case the dehumidifier does the trick.

[fire999]

You may find like me , that my tank cools in the night , thus the fan does not come on and there is less evap. Its during the day with thelights on ; the fan on etc that the most of the evaporation happens.

Godd luck anyway :thumbsup:

[jobr]

Originally posted by fire999@Nov 14 2005, 11:30
You may find like me , that my tank cools in the night , thus the fan does not come on and there is less evap. Its during the day with thelights on ; the fan on etc that the most of the evaporation happens.

Godd luck anyway :thumbsup:
Cheers M8.

If i hear one more time "those curtains smell damp ner ner bl0ody ner" etc etc I will have to pull the things down to wrap her body in for dispossal :lol:

[geoff200]

What dehumidifier's do you recommend and what wattages are they?

[jobr]

Originally posted by geoff200@Nov 14 2005, 13:26
What dehumidifier's do you recommend and what wattages are they?
Have a look in Homebase, B&Q, Wickes etc.

Or a guy on ebay sells some seconds from the likes of ebac.

In terms of size, wattage etc.

I would look at what your evaporation is a day and work out what size unit you need to pull that out of the air and then add a bit on for comfort.

One thing to watch is the size of the collection tank, whilst most have an auto cut off its no good if you need to empty the container every hour!

[geoff200]

Do you know if the water that the dehumidifier pulls out the air can be reused in place of RO water, or do you suspect it will have been contaminated by metals contained in the unit?

[Hardip]

It would contain all sorts of pollutants pulled from the air.

[jobr]

Originally posted by geoff200@Nov 16 2005, 12:25
Do you know if the water that the dehumidifier pulls out the air can be reused in place of RO water, or do you suspect it will have been contaminated by metals contained in the unit?
Throw it away, its no good. Or use it for the garden etc but not the tank.

[zippy7272]

I have pretty much the same question, about covering a Percula 120.

Did you get a dehumidifier?
Anyone else have an opinion?
Has anyone covered their Percula, or other similar size tank?

I'm mainly looking to reduce condensation.

[jobr]

God this is one from the past.

I did get a dehumidifier, but in all honesty good ventilation is much better.

No I wouldn't even think of covering the tank now.

I do now use an Aquatronica as opposed to a Habistat, and I now keep my reef much more stable and only use 1 clip on fan, back then I think I was still using two.

[craighuckins]

I had this problem in the last house we lived in - tank evap causing black mold on upstairs walls, they always felt damp to the touch. A dehumidifier sorted the problem out!

[simon garratt]

Leaving an upstairs window slightly open all the time helps (or fit an extractor if your security concious).

On another note: something to be aware of when covering the tank at night is that you may increase your pH drift becouse youve limited gas exchange at the water surface. Its worth being carefull here if you have sensitive species like angels etc as they might suffer if your drift is too much.

Regards

Si.

[Bradden]

I may be wrong but I remember reading about "Ocean Glass" or something like that which I believe is meant to be ok to put under halides without affecting the wavelength. I have a glass cover on my Chromis - not in use at the moment due to temp which I found did not affect the corals adversely.