Problem with condensation

[FishBearer9845]

Hi all,

I have my male betta, Boo, in a Superfish 30L Cubiq.

Heated and filtered with system that came with the tank.

The tank has been set up for over a year and half but for most that time … well on and off I’ve had a leak problem, albeit a slow leak.

Today I emptied it completely, and tested for leaks across two hours on and off, different levels of water and no leaks.

A lot of condensation appears on the lid when it runs, which isn’t flush to the tank, there’s 5mm round all sides where the lid is then held in place with clips.

I’m assuming as there wasn’t a leak, it’s the condensation collecting on the light and lid and escaping somehow and running down the outside of the tank.

Does anyone else get this problem? I’m a bit stumped on how to solve it!

Many thanks for reading

Sarah

 

[GaryE]

That's an common one. What temps are the room and the tank at?

 

[mbsqw1d]

I think you'd expect to see condensation when the room temp is lower than that of the tank.

I notice the water level in my tanks dropping more through winter due to using central heating to heat the home. It dries the air and so draws water out from the tanks

 

[Byron]

Condensation is normal, but we prefer that it remains within the aquarium. Most tanks are constructed with a lip on the inside of the top frame. A glass cover can sit down on this lip for example, and condensation on the cover will drip into the tank inside, and during the day (with the tank light on) evaporate. But it remains inside the tank.

According to photos online, there is no frame on the Superfish 30L Cubiq tank around the top, and there is an open air space round the tank. The airspace is important (no tank cover is "sealed") but it seems odd that it would allow moisture to run up and over... .

 

[FishBearer9845]

Hi all

Many thanks for the replies. The light sits above the lid of the tank by about 4cm; would the water condense on the light and then run down; although as Byron had stated, it’s odd that it would do that!

The room temperature is 20*C and the tank is 25*C and around 20-21*C at night

I guess if I keep coming across these small pools of water I’ll have to try a different tank with a lid that sits flush.

Thanks again
Kind regards
Sarah

 

[Byron]

Hi all

Many thanks for the replies. The light sits above the lid of the tank by about 4cm; would the water condense on the light and then run down; although as Byron had stated, it’s odd that it would do that!

The room temperature is 20*C and the tank is 25*C and around 20-21*C at night

I guess if I keep coming across these small pools of water I’ll have to try a different tank with a lid that sits flush.

Thanks again
Kind regards
Sarah

Water naturally evaporates out of the tank into the air, and it will condense when it hits a solid object. For example, with no cover, the water will evaporate up and settle on the walls and ceiling of the room (one reason open-top tanks are risky)--think of a bathroom after a shower, when you can see drops of water on the ceiling (unless you have air circulation via a winbdow or fan). With a tank cover it primarily hits that and falls back as it condenses. The odd thing here is that the water has presumably evaporated out but somehow condenses around the tank to then run down the outside, at least that seems to be the issue.