Vapor barrier? Drylok? FRP? Humidity in a fish room.

Hi, thanks a ton for your input. I feel like I’ve read somewhere a good reason to do, and a good reason NOT to do each of the following.

I’m refinishing a sub basement (half of the wall height is concrete block foundation to grade [hollow], and the top half external wall on new treated sills [another story]). This room is different from rest of sub basement in that foundation sits about 2” away from blocks. Visible gravel in the gap and bone dry sump in room—presumably old dewatering system now obsolete after previous owner presumably added full basement later on.

This room will be a fish room with 300 +gallons of salt water circulating to various tanks. I live in central IL. I anticipate running a dehumidifier to a utility sink and installing an exhaust with humidistat.

While I have the blocks and studs open, I have one shot to refinish correctly before I want to avoid making a dusty mess in that room at all costs for hopefully years of an established reef.

I’ve seen recommendations to drylok the blocks, vapor barrier only below grade, vapor barrier whole wall, greenboard, and FRP paneling.

I wouldn’t actually mind the FRP (not the boards but the paneling) as it would avoid need to mud/tape and would be easy to clean various aquarium scuzz. This, of course, if there’s a best-moisture solution that includes FRP (even unsealed, for example).

I feel like I’ve chased this information around in circles and I’m kinda gun shy to make a call at this point. Could you provide your input? Thanks!

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