Sump Cleaning! Mildew

[xxnonamexx]

Well after 2 years running I noticed mildew in my tank stand. Yesterday I took everything out removed the mildew from the wood, painted it and put stick on tiles to help prevent mildew from reoccuring and easier to clean. I powerwashed my sump, skimmer, pumps, I have 4 fans on the side to help pull heat out but that caused the mildew buildup so before I put the front and side panel back on I need to rethink my fan situation.

 

[xxnonamexx]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59422509@N00/3341593784/

 

[tosiek]

its damp wherever your tank is. cold, dark, semi warm area that has more moisture than the rest of the room and presto!

Where is the tank, how well do the fans remove air from that stand (ie, do you have an intake?), is the room itself ventilated and is the inside of your tank sealed in some way? It could be that the room itself is causing it due to low circulation and humidity and your only seeing it in the stand because there's evap inside the stand. I don't know if tiles are the best bet for the stand as water will condense on them quicker than anything else you could have placed inside, leaving residue/moisture for mold to build on if your not cleaning regularly but yes it will be easier to clean.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Tank is in a den near to walk ways room has 2 windows skylight. Room temp is fine. I have 4 fans inside pulling the warm air out. Sould I drill holes on the opposite end of the tank to pull air through? Should the fans be placed on the other side of the sump to push the air through?

 

[tosiek]

i would have a supply and return set up yes, so drill holes or allow a way for air to enter from one side and pull the air through into the fans. That could be your problem. Your trying to blow air out that has no way of entering, the fans overwork and end up blowing in from around the fan itself instead of whatever is inside the stand ontop of whatever comes through the cracks and spaces in the stand. Make sure the fans are cleaned too. dust builds up quick and greatly reduces how much its pushing out quick.

This could be 1 solution to whatevers going on. I don;'t know the tank, or the room.