Using my upcoming 125 gal aquarium as a room humidifier...

I've got gas heat so in the winter my house is dry as a bone. So, I've had an idea... I'm about ready to set up my first aquarium at 125 gal and I thought...what if I just left the top completely open (mounting the lighting on the wall behind it) and let the water evaporate to help out my house's relative humidity?

Is this something that's feasible (assuming I stock with non-jumpers, looking at cichlids)? Once I establish a healthy bacteria balance would having to replace 10-20 gal of water a week be ok? An idea might be to direct a fan at the water so evaporation would be accelerated. Or is this idea just haywire? What kind of stress would be put on the tank by replacing that much water every week?

Thanks

 

See post #2

Good morning,

The link above will give you a couple of DIY Tank Covers. It should help with your lack of humidity issues. I'm sure others will chime in with more suggestions.

Nothing beats freshwater for your fish once your tank has cycled. I change 25g's every 5 days in my 265g tank and I change out 15g's every 5 days in my 33g long tank.

I would suggest changing at least 30 to 50% of the tank water per week, at the least.

Even fish that really are not known to be jumpers may jump if they are startled or frightened. I have had a Silver Dollar to take flight on a couple of occasions.

Ken

 

You coould make a mesh lid

 

I think the main problem with doing only small water changes is that ONLY water will evaporate, which actually concentrates the dissolved minerals, nitrates, etc. in the tank. To keep water conditions stable, you'll want to do a pretty significant water change (take water out, and THEN refill it) every week, or two smaller ones each week... ESPECIALLY if you top up the tank water because it's evaporating too quickly.

 

My house use to be dry also.I have glass tops on just about all my tanks.They still evaporate a little due to me having hob's and humidity levels are at 40% now.I do weekly water changes of 30-50% and the water levels drop about an inch in a weeks time.

 

I too have gas heat. All my tanks are covered. Lost too many fish over the years to jumping. My tanks easily evaporate 1-2 inches per week. There is no need IME to take extra steps for evaporation.

Also I change 30-75% each week. Doing such a small water change will eventually lead to problems. A fully stocked tank requires more than a 10% water change. That would only be topping off the tank in my house.

Sent from my Motorola Electrify using Tapatalk