Dehumidifier: How to determine what size is needed?

[gmpolan]

I have all the parts for my fish room except one of these. Never owned one thus i have no clue which model or size to actually purchase so any input would be great.

The room size would be about 12 x 12 and an estimate of (180 sump, 200 gallons of mixing, and 100 gallon fuge) 480 gallons in the room.

I will have some tops for everything but im just trying to prevent any mold from growing on the underside of the flooring as its onlya bout 8 to 10 feet tall.

Any other tips for controlling ventilation would be great as well.
I think there is only vent going to the outside that is made out of metal sitting within the concrete which could be removed if needed.

Thanks guys and cant wait to start...:thumbs:

 

[enderg60]

most dehumidifiers will have a rating on them of how much water they can remove from the air per day. Just match it to your evaporation(actually get one thats at least 1.5X your evaporation so it doesnt run 24/7).

 

[acroholic]

I think the max capacity you can buy in a portable, residential type unit is 70 pints a day. Most will have their room size rating on the boxes, but I'd upsize since your reef system will add much more humidity to the room than it would have normally.

I buy the largest capacity ones I can, since the price difference between one size to the other is not that much. They have compressors, and draw electricity like small window AC units, so they need a circuit that is not heavily loaded.

And do not buy cheapo asian built brands like LG, they fail at a high rate. Been there, done that. Buy an American brand like Kenmore, Frigidaire, etc. They last longer. You might pay a bit more, but they last a lot longer. Lowes used to carry LG, but the failure rate was so high that they dropped them and carry Frigidaire now.

Also, you'll like your dehumidifier a lot more if you can have it drain into a floor drain, or a sink, or directly outside. Emptying these things manually is a PIA.

 

[grouper therapy]

Acroholic;708145 wrote: I think the max capacity you can buy in a portable, residential type unit is 70 pints a day. Most will have their room size rating on the boxes, but I'd upsize since your reef system will add much more humidity to the room than it would have normally.

I buy the largest capacity ones I can, since the price difference between one size to the other is not that much. They have compressors, and draw electricity like small window AC units, so they need a circuit that is not heavily loaded.

And do not buy cheapo asian built brands like LG, they fail at a high rate. Been there, done that. Buy an American brand like Kenmore, Frigidaire, etc. They last longer. You might pay a bit more, but they last a lot longer. Lowes used to carry LG, but the failure rate was so high that they dropped them and carry Frigidaire now.

Also, you'll like your dehumidifier a lot more if you can have it drain into a floor drain, or a sink, or directly outside. Emptying these things manually is a PIA.

+1 lgs are garbage ime

Edit: I went with an ac instead and just diverted the air outside in the winterand back in the summer helped with cooling

 

[jead85]

best option is to get a whole house unit. My father works in the building science industry and for the most part compact units dont work correctly. Not to mention if you pull too much out you will also start increasing your evaporation.
check here for a contractor that knows how to correctly deal with these things.

 

[grouper therapy]

I think he is trying to manage the fish room only. I don't think a contractor is needed for that IMO.

 

[atlfishes]

Consumer reports rates these and I found it helpful. I went with a large GE and have been happy. Some have their fans run continuously, which I would avoid. +1 on the drain.

These are real energy hogs, so I wouldn't upsize unless necessary. Get a digital humidistat at HD or lowes to keep and eye on relative humidity.

 

[acroholic]

Most portable dehumidifiers have built in humidistat, at least mine turn on/off at a humidity level I set on the unit itself.

 

[mockery]

Easiest way to drain them if you have a sink in that room is through a dishwasher hookup.

 

[gmpolan]

Not quite sure if i can fit in a drain into the design, but i def will have a sink in the same room. Thanks for the insight guys and Grouper/Dave is right, I am only trying to maintain the fish room alone so i doubt i will be going commerical. Just looking for the best bang for the buck and something that is not going to continuously run and cause more evaporation.

Whats about an average cost i should expect to pay for a decent unit? couple hundred? Should i grab one off craiglist or is not worth it? or buy new?