Fishroom Buildout (1 Viewer)

[d2mini]

Steve, is there a reason the dehumidifier is so high up?
I need to get one... like yesterday... and was just going to put it on the floor somewhere and run the drain line to my sink.
I want to get one with the internal pump.

 

[steveb]

Its actually a 14k BTU A/C unit but does have dehumidification built in. The drain is passive so I will be putting a small hole through the wall & brick and let it drip outside.

Three reasons for the height:

• Trying to maximize useable space for breeding and propagation tanks.
• Working from the principle that heat rises and cool air falls, I figured I would be able to pull more warm air up at the ceiling.
• Warm air venting - the A/C unit needs to be able to get rid of the heat so I wanted to minimize the length & number of bends on the exhaust ducts.

Not that it matters but it is actually 3.5" higher than I originally planned. I either miss measured or got stupid between the fish room and the drive way when I made my cuts...

 

[d2mini]

Ah, got it. Thanks!

I'm a firm practitioner of measure twice..... cut thrice.

 

[steveb]

To paint or not to paint?...that is the question.

Got back in town and spent this evening painting (well priming) the mixing station/AC stand. Its along with all of other stands will be an a gloss bright white.

So while I was doing that I was thinking about the walls in the room. They are a flat off white. I was thinking about maybe going to an exterior gloss maybe a light grey or something along those lines for the walls. I don't really want to mess with it. What do you think?

 

[tektite]

Whatever color, going gloss now will be easier for any cleaning in the future. What A/C unit brand is that?

 

[steveb]

Yeah thats what I was thinking about the paint... Just sucks, one more thing to do. The A/C is a Soleus Air LX140 14k BTU heat pump.

 

[fredG]

Sweet, glad you didn't dump it. I dropped a 200 gallon glass aquarium on myself once. Wasn't fun and lucky I didn't get seriously hurt.

You ever get the electrical done? I've got a great guy (master electrician) but you need to be pretty fluent en espanol.

Reminds me when I was moving my 180 from storage. Was just me and a friend...was coming through the front door and tripped on the step up into the house. Fell directly on top of me. luckily I was just sore later.

 

[steveb]

Reminds me when I was moving my 180 from storage. Was just me and a friend...was coming through the front door and tripped on the step up into the house. Fell directly on top of me. luckily I was just sore later.

You got lucky... I don't remember who it was but somebody on here had part of a finger taken off by a large tank.

 

[steveb]

sssh don't tell my wife....

While she was out and I was working from home so A/C guys could finish...

I drilled a little hole, well two but the first one hit a stud... This is for the automatic water changer and RO/DI topoff for my 400 gallon tank. Yes I am still working the build by the way...

Think she will notice?

Its at times like these that forethought would be a blessing - should have purchased some black... better camouflage. Man that is nasty looking too. Someone should clean that.

She won't care about out here... LOL..

 

[TiAg]

Bro that is an INCREDIBLY good idea...if I can ever get my RODI in the garage.

 

[steveb]

Little update. Tomorrow is the big day. Going to cut two holes in the ceiling for the fresh air and exhaust hoses, a hole in the ceiling in the laundry room (on other side of wall from this room) for the fresh air intake and a hole in the soffit for the exhaust.

Also hoping to get the three tanks (RO/DI, Mixing, SaltWater) and all associated plumbing done...

 

[steveb]

Argh.... because my stupid right shoulder is frozen (if it was my left I'd be good) I can't maneuver around in the small attic space like I need to, to be able to run the flex ducts. 2 - (2' to 3' ) runs. So now I have to pay someone to come cut a hole in my soffit, crawl in the attic in a space that is just large enough for a skinny little person and run those stupid ducts. So close yet so far. Now I have to wait until Monday for the A/C guys to come out and run it for me.

 

[tektite]

My plans for this afternoon just got cancelled, I could come out if you want.

 

[steveb]

Cat thanks for the offer I really do appreciate it. But I wouldn't wish having to move around in that small space on anybody.... I'm just going to pay them Monday, I have all the supplies so it shouldn't be to much.

One a funny note I moved on to doing the yard and cleaning the pool. This time of year there is ton of pine tree pollen all over everything. So I was brushing down the sides of the pool but the water falls have overhangs that are difficult to get to, to clean the pollen line off. I'm out there sweating and griping about it being hot.... leaning over trying to get under the overhangs, mutter, gripe, complain... next thing I know after a brief O CRAP moment, I'm swimming in 65° water. cools you down in a hurry LOL

 

[steveb]

My Nemesis

 

[kyle1284]

Just got done reading all 32 pages of your 400 gallon thread. impressive build. is it complete? it just kinda tailed off in July. i too am thinking about building a fish room to fight the brutal Houston temps (sump and frag tank are in the garage) and add a quiet, air conditioned place for me to do the behind the scenes work lol. Do you have a insulated garage? What has been the most challenging aspect of the addition and what would you have done differently?

 

[flexrac]

like cat, i would have came over to help as well. just not tonight, but deff over the weekend.

 

[steveb]

Just got done reading all 32 pages of your 400 gallon thread. impressive build. is it complete? it just kinda tailed off in July. i too am thinking about building a fish room to fight the brutal Houston temps (sump and frag tank are in the garage) and add a quiet, air conditioned place for me to do the behind the scenes work lol. Do you have a insulated garage? What has been the most challenging aspect of the addition and what would you have done differently?

Challenges = Time & $$$

My daughter plays tournament softball and now HS ball, so March - July Super busy. Aug - Feb busy with off season training and some tournaments. Other than that $$$ I hate to spend on credit so I have to save up and buy things then implement. That is why the 400 build stalled as well. I'm trying to get a lot done before it gets really busy again.

As for the garage itself it is insulated on 3 sides. The south wall is not currently insulated so definitely have heat gain during the summer. Hopefully the portable 14k btu a/c will be enough.

What I would do differently - when we built our sunroom we had a mini split installed. I wish I would NOT have cheaped out and spent the extra $1500 to run a dual mini split (one for sun room one for fishroom).

 

[steveb]

like cat, i would have came over to help as well. just not tonight, but deff over the weekend.

Thanks Felix. I appreciate the offer.

 

[steveb]

A/C Up and Operational!

2.5 hours and $300 later....

Compressor cooling intake.. Little noisier than I had hoped. I'm sure the wife is gonna love it....

Compressor exhaust..

Unit putting out 72°F Air

Still need to attach the 3/8" drain hose and route that through the wall. Also going the route the power cord through same hole in stand so it does not hang over the side.