Target humidity level

[Jimmy]

Just started getting my aquariums filled. I intend on installing the heater for the room today. I have my exhaust set to kick on when it gets too hot in the room currently but I thought about putting it just on a timer to kick on for short increments throughout the day.

my question is what’s a target humidity level? Currently our ambient humidity is 55%~ where I live.

[lefty o]

in a dedicated fish room where you arent concerned about things rusting etc, id try and keep it under 65%. ideal comfort for a person is about 45%, but since you arent living in the room, a little higher is okay. just dont want it so wet that you start growing mold in the room.

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 9:23 AM, lefty o said:

in a dedicated fish room where you arent concerned about things rusting etc, id try and keep it under 65%. ideal comfort for a person is about 45%, but since you arent living in the room, a little higher is okay. just dont want it so wet that you start growing mold in the room.

Your my fish room coach lol. I originally wanted to aim for 45 but I don’t know if it will be obtainable. 

[lefty o]

45 would be nice, but your dehumidifier, and exhaust fan would be running non stop.

[mynameisnobody]

I believe anything close to 70% and up will promote mold growth. Personally I’m in Florida so I have my dehumidifier set to 55%, but 45% is ideal. 

[StevesFishTanks]

I set my dehumidifier to 60%

[Patrick_G]

I think 45-55% if possible. I’m not big fan of fighting mold and mildew. 
 

[Tihshho]

I've got my humidifiers set on constant just to pull as much of the humidity out as I can and it keeps the fish room at around 40% during the summer and 30-35% in the winter. Do yourself a favor and get an evac pump that has a float switch so you don't have to maintain the dehumidifiers by draining their collection reservoir. That or plumb them to a drain if you can raise the unit high enough so gravity is your friend and gets the effluent into your drain.

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 10:12 AM, Tihshho said:

I've got my humidifiers set on constant just to pull as much of the humidity out as I can and it keeps the fish room at around 40% during the summer and 30-35% in the winter. Do yourself a favor and get an evac pump that has a float switch so you don't have to maintain the dehumidifiers by draining their collection reservoir. That or plumb them to a drain if you can raise the unit high enough so gravity is your friend and gets the effluent into your drain.

I plan on fixing a drain to it, it’s not a huge unit so I have to develop a plan before I cut into it

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 10:08 AM, Patrick_G said:

I think 45-55% if possible. I’m not big fan of fighting mold and mildew. 
 

Ya that’s something I’m not interested in dealing with also

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 10:07 AM, s1_ said:

I set my dehumidifier to 60%

60% and no negative impact on the space? Our humidity is that high this time of year basically 

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 9:30 AM, lefty o said:

45 would be nice, but your dehumidifier, and exhaust fan would be running non stop.

We will see. I may mess around with the exhaust more. I will see how my utility bill looks and if it’s manageable I may just run the exhaust on the heavier side 

[Atitagain]

Glad to see this thread i just have a small table top dehumidifier it fills about every 4-5 days and I just got a hygrometer and I’m running at 55%  Was worried that was a little high. Only have about 100 square feet.

[StevesFishTanks]

On 9/5/2021 at 5:37 PM, Jimmy said:

60% and no negative impact on the space? Our humidity is that high this time of year basically 

Sorry I just checked and I have it set on 55%

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 3:53 PM, Atitagain said:

Glad to see this thread i just have a small table top dehumidifier it fills about every 4-5 days and I just got a hygrometer and I’m running at 55%  Was worried that was a little high. Only have about 100 square feet.

I have about half the square footage. It’s rather humid for my area right now, the room is holding at 60. It stayed about the same after leaving the exhaust on for 5 hours. I suspect mine will drop considerably in the winter

[Jimmy]

On 9/5/2021 at 7:21 PM, s1_ said:

Sorry I just checked and I have it set on 55%

Gotcha. I may need a bigger unit. We will see

[StevesFishTanks]

Exhaust can actually increase humidity with the makeup air if it is more humid outside than the room.

[Hobbit]

The CDC recommends going no higher than 50% if you’re trying to prevent mold growth. Not sure what that’s based on, but it’s what we set our dehumidifier at.