Effects of a closed up house on an aquarium

[user 26995]

I've read in other threads about gasses building up in tanks from being covered. I have also heard that the same problems can be a result of the house being closed up because of the weather getting colder. My house is extremely air tight. I have to keep a couple windows cracked and a fan running during the winter. I still get some condensation on the windows. I think that one of the problems I had in one of my tanks from my house being closed up tight was one of my clownfish got popeye. If I remember correctly I read somewhere that it can be caused by gasses building up in the tank. Gasses build up from the house being closed up tight.
I cracked a couple windows open, opened the top on the tank and in a matter of a week, my clown's eyes are almost back to normal.

I am wondering what issues can arise in the aquarium from the house or aquarium being closed up tight? How does it affect our fish and corals? What can we do to avoid or fix these issues.

 

[Krish]

Gas exchange would be my first thought that would be effected along with your ph.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Darthv247]

when the structure surrounding your tank is sealed up tight and doesn't have a way of pulling in outside air (cold air exchange) depending on the size of the space there is usually a buildup of Co2 in the air meaning less oxygen for your tank to absorb meaning your Co2 levels are high, making your PH drop.

as for sealed tank i wouldn't personally ever cover a reef tank completely or seal a lid on its just not effective for gas exchange. you want a good surface area with good surface movement to help the process and a fan or good air movement in the room always helps.

 

[Scooterman]

I don't know of many SW tanks with covers on them, It just isn't good for the tank as mentioned above. Bringing in fresh air, fans, a skimmer & an open top with lots of water surface should remove this as ever being an issue.

 

[user 26995]

Thanks Darth for that explanation. I understand gas exchange better now.
In my situation, it is a 54 gal corner tank with a glass hood that covers the front 2/3rds of the top. The back 1/3rd is open. The sump is open and there is a lot of turbulence in the first chamber and water fall from first chamber to the second. I do not have any problems with this tank in the summer time when all the windows are open. I do have a fan in that room running 24/7/365.
A lot of people have tanks with hoods that would probably have the same problems with gas exchange. In any case, what I was looking for, for the new people and some of us young to SW reef keeping, is during these months when we close the house up because we want to keep warm, what should we take a look at to avoid this problem? What symptoms may occur that we can look for? what can be done to correct it if it occurs?

What I did, was a large water change, propped open the hood on the tank and cracked open a few windows in that room. I turned the fan up one speed too.

All experiences and knowledge is very helpful.
Thank you.

 

[broskie]

I wouldn't think that a closed up house would have much to do with the health of your fish unless you never left. Every time your front door opens you make a substantial air change as well when you open your windows with a fan. As en example of a closed lid system the biocube has a completely sealed lid with two small fans and many people have had success. If anything I would aim one of your power heads more towards the top of your tank for proper gas exchange. But this is all just my $.02

 

[Faciosity]

as for sealed tank i wouldn't personally ever cover a reef tank completely or seal a lid on its just not effective for gas exchange. you want a good surface area with good surface movement to help the process and a fan or good air movement in the room always helps.

Not to mention the nasty salt buildup and corrosion of equipment due to splashing and evaporation! Best to keep good airflow for sure.

 

[user 26995]

Definitely need good airflow from fesh air.
The fans on the biocube help, but put that biocube in a closed box. That’s basically what happens with a tank in most homes in the winter time. My front door, which is 40ft and two rooms away from the tank, is open for maybe two seconds twice a day from me leaving and coming home. Not enough time to supply a 2000 sqft house with fresh air and replace the stagnant air. People in small apartments do the same. They leave for work and come home and the door is open for a few seconds. During the 13 hours I am gone, the house warms up and water evaporates and the air becomes very stagnant. With stagnant air surrounding the tank, even with good water aggitation, gas has a harder time excaping and being replaced by oxygen.
I only came home to a stagnant house a couple times till I got the windows cracked just the right amount to allow enough fresh air in with out the heater coming on too much. And the fan is not in a window. It is in between two rooms to try to circulate air thru-out the house.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

In the old days, a typical "leaky" house might have a full air exchange with the outside every hour, but a tightly sealed structure could take ten times longer. Besides our tank concerns of CO2, nasty chemicals that can build up in typical homes include formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and several hydrocarbons.
Since moisture can accumulate in a tight house (or shop), mold toxins to humans are also a threat.
Tight houses can create conditions whereby exhaust devices—such as range hoods and clothes dryers—produce negative pressures that will back draft furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces. Thus, carbon monoxide (CO) and other combustion products flow into—not out of—your house.
In most cases, the effects of a too-tight structure will become obvious in fairly short order. The general smell and feel of a stuffy environment will become apparent. Newer tighter homes might exhibit moisture on windows, mold growth on cold surfaces, and dust mite infestations on carpets.
Best practice is to construct a reasonably tight structure with provisions for mechanical ventilation. Authorities and HVCA contractor/engineers recommend two to three air changes per hour.

Simply put, if you are getting too much condensation, you have insufficient air exchange for human health with or without the aquarium present.

 

[user 26995]

Hmmmm very good points to think about.
I think I will crack open a few more windows and turn my thermostat down.

 

[estanoche]

In the old days, a typical "leaky" house might have a full air exchange with the outside every hour, but a tightly sealed structure could take ten times longer. Besides our tank concerns of CO2, nasty chemicals that can build up in typical homes include formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and several hydrocarbons.
Since moisture can accumulate in a tight house (or shop), mold toxins to humans are also a threat.
Tight houses can create conditions whereby exhaust devices—such as range hoods and clothes dryers—produce negative pressures that will back draft furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces. Thus, carbon monoxide (CO) and other combustion products flow into—not out of—your house.
In most cases, the effects of a too-tight structure will become obvious in fairly short order. The general smell and feel of a stuffy environment will become apparent. Newer tighter homes might exhibit moisture on windows, mold growth on cold surfaces, and dust mite infestations on carpets.
Best practice is to construct a reasonably tight structure with provisions for mechanical ventilation. Authorities and HVCA contractor/engineers recommend two to three air changes per hour.

Simply put, if you are getting too much condensation, you have insufficient air exchange for human health with or without the aquarium present.

Curious - how much is "too much condensation"?