Basement Sump Pros and Cons

webdizzy · 10/07/2011, 04:46 PM

I just picked up a tank (84 G)f or my next upgrade and with it came all the plumping to set up a basement sump. I wasn't planning on doing a basement sump initially -- I was going to put it in the cabinet under the tank -- but with almost all the plumbing done, it's tempting.

Right now I don't even have a sump, so I don't have the experience of my own to ponder the differences in pros and cons. It would be great to have the space in the basement and to have it there for water changes and stuff, but I'm a little concerned about it being "out of site, out of mind" -- that it's not where I can keep an eye on it. And, what about the basement environment -- the dust (my husband does wood work down there sometimes), the temperature and other things I might not be thinking of? Right now I use two heaters with a controller. Where would I put them -- in the tank or the sump in the basement?

Anyway, you get the gist -- if anyone with experience in doing it both ways could share the pros & cons to help me make a decision, I'd appreciate it!

mc-cro · 10/07/2011, 05:59 PM

con: need a bigger pump to push water up from basement

pros: everything else.

seriously, its can take a little extra effort to plumb it correctly and make it dead silent. I did not put a basement sump in my first house, and spent a couple of years trying to crawl under the stand to do everything, and trying manage minute areas of space and water. My last 2 houses I used a basement sump, and I will never ever go back. You can do whatever you, as big as you want, with plenty more room to go.

In one set up I even had a 20g skimmer chamber, that overflowed to a 40g refugium, that overflowed to a 60g lagoon, that finally flowed into my 100g sump. The display was only a 72g tank, try stuffing all that under a tank

trigger gta · 10/07/2011, 08:12 PM

con,
added cost
more heat loss in colder months
bigger sump needed to catch the extra water in the drain lines

pros,
same as mc cro said. everything else

a few of my personal favs are.
water does not heat up as fast from the lights.
ALL the noise is down stairs and with a bean drain upstairs can be 100% quiet also
water changes done downstairs and spilled water will not damage the floor.
you can have a much larger sump down there

Raceimage · 10/07/2011, 08:46 PM

My basement temperature remains fairly constant so I don't need a chiller. If you build a "fish room" in the basement your husband's dust will not be an issue. All of your equipment and mess will be away from your living area. Never carry water again to top off or perform water changes. Won't spill skimmate on your carpet. You can purchase a stock tank from a farm store to use as a sump. $130 for a 150 gal capacity. More than enough room for the drain lines to empty during power outages. Reeflo pumps flow rates don't drop off as fast as many other brands when you push the water from the basement to the next floor. (Personally my best investment)

Neogenocide · 10/07/2011, 09:03 PM

The same as above, the only con I have is having to run a larger return pump. But if done right, you can run your ENTIRE system off of one pump.

I split my drain line so that some of it runs through the skimmer, which a recirculation external design. Works pretty well in the 9 months of use so far. This also removes any added heat that the return pump puts into your water. Also as mentioned above, that removes and need for a chiller, but I also run LED's, so that help as well. From there I split the return line, and run my frag tank and any reactors off of it. So, my entire system if on one pump, bad thing is I haven't bought a backup......yet. It's also very nice to do all the water changes in the basement, over a cement floor, so if I do make a mess, it's no big deal. I'm sure I pay a little more in electricity for the larger return pump, but man o man is it worth it.

Scott

snorvich · 10/08/2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc-cro

con: need a bigger pump to push water up from basement

pros: everything else.

The list of pros is very long (I have two large tanks upstairs, two sumps in the basement). If you do this, you will be glad you did.

snorvich · 10/08/2011, 06:14 AM

But if your husband is always creating dust, a fish room would be terrific. It would also allow for shelves and other neat ways of organizing.

bennylab · 10/08/2011, 06:38 AM

Basement also allows room for large rodi and salt water storage containers. I made a fish room that my wife calls the laboratory - qt tanks, large refugium, table for water testing, lots of storage, etc. I am very happy I went this route. I had to run about 60 feet of pipe to get down and over to my fish room, but I would do it again - one of the best decisions I have made.

webdizzy · 10/08/2011, 10:53 AM

Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like I'm putting it in the basement.

Now. . . to talk my husband into building a fishroom while working full-time and going to school. . . .

dogstar74 · 10/08/2011, 11:26 AM

One con is humidity. Make sure you're room with the sump has plenty of ventilation so that humidity doesn't sneak up on you. Other than that the only other con is the envy of your friends.

snorvich · 10/08/2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogstar74

One con is humidity. Make sure you're room with the sump has plenty of ventilation so that humidity doesn't sneak up on you. Other than that the only other con is the envy of your friends.

I got a dehumidifier which drains into my sump pump (and is pumped outside) so no issue.

Hal · 10/08/2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

I got a dehumidifier which drains into my sump pump (and is pumped outside) so no issue.

Be careful, dehumidifiers will pump a LOT of heat into the ambient air. I tried a dehumidifier in my basement fish room but it raised the air temp to over 90 degrees. Obviously the hot air raised the water temp too. Normally I use my cool basement to avoid having to use a chiller.

Sk8r · 10/08/2011, 12:21 PM

If you've got a floor drain and utility sink in the basement, it's even more wonderful.

I use a rollabout Frigidaire (I think) humidifier which has not given me any heating issues. {Spokane, WA, with a library on the other side of the basement---so humidity is a concern.} I was able to heat-balance this particular tank without a basement, however, when I lived in an apartment with lousy airconditioning: every tank's different, particularly regarding the pumps, etc. You can also keep a basement sump's water cooler by having an exterior pump. Iwaki is what I use. It's cooled by ambient air as well as the water flowing through it and I have no heating issues.

Neogenocide · 10/08/2011, 12:47 PM

I ran into the ambeint air temp problem while running my dehumidifier, however since my "back room" is all the hvac sits, sump pump, water heater, it was easily overcome by adding a little air circulation out to the rest of the basement.

webdizzy · 10/08/2011, 06:05 PM

We don't have an issue with humidity in our basement. And, it stays cool, so the cool air will help in the summer. I've had to put our air conditioning on just for the tank at times since I don't have a chiller.

We do have a floor drain, but not a sink. Although we could probably put one in if I wanted. I'll be hooking up a new RODI system as well.

younglcy · 10/08/2011, 08:02 PM

Basement sump is the way to go, it makes the display much more enjoyable to have all the noise, salt creep and misc. downstairs. Make sure to run a wire to the basement along with your plumbing so you can wire in a float switch to shut off your return in case the level in the display starts to rise. Double check the overall height too, you're going to need a pump with a good head (pressure rated) to push the water up more than about 12'.

freetareef · 10/08/2011, 08:18 PM

$200 for a 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank, is by far the best "water to dollars" ratio you will ever find....you will not regret it!!
more volume=more stability chemically, biologically and temperature wise, which=happy corals which=happy you!!!

saltysailor2329 · 10/08/2011, 08:59 PM

I'm just starting this and am really looking forward to the added space to do everything and the added water volume. My DT is a 40g breeder draining to a 20 tall with filter sock and skimmer, draining to a 20 long refugium with DSB and the banished damsel draining to a 100g sump that will be full of LR. I'm still trying to figure out a spot for corals as well.

saltysailor2329 · 10/08/2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freetareef

$200 for a 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank, is by far the best "water to dollars" ratio you will ever find....you will not regret it!!
more volume=more stability chemically, biologically and temperature wise, which=happy corals which=happy you!!!

By the way I paid $69.99 today for my 100 gallon rubbermaid stock tank. Love the water to dollar ratio and can't wait to get it all up and running.

10/07/2011, 04:46 PM	#1
webdizzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Willoughby, Ohio Posts: 897	Basement Sump Pros and Cons I just picked up a tank (84 G)f or my next upgrade and with it came all the plumping to set up a basement sump. I wasn't planning on doing a basement sump initially -- I was going to put it in the cabinet under the tank -- but with almost all the plumbing done, it's tempting. Right now I don't even have a sump, so I don't have the experience of my own to ponder the differences in pros and cons. It would be great to have the space in the basement and to have it there for water changes and stuff, but I'm a little concerned about it being "out of site, out of mind" -- that it's not where I can keep an eye on it. And, what about the basement environment -- the dust (my husband does wood work down there sometimes), the temperature and other things I might not be thinking of? Right now I use two heaters with a controller. Where would I put them -- in the tank or the sump in the basement? Anyway, you get the gist -- if anyone with experience in doing it both ways could share the pros & cons to help me make a decision, I'd appreciate it!

10/07/2011, 05:59 PM	#2
mc-cro (macro) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,238	con: need a bigger pump to push water up from basement pros: everything else. seriously, its can take a little extra effort to plumb it correctly and make it dead silent. I did not put a basement sump in my first house, and spent a couple of years trying to crawl under the stand to do everything, and trying manage minute areas of space and water. My last 2 houses I used a basement sump, and I will never ever go back. You can do whatever you, as big as you want, with plenty more room to go. In one set up I even had a 20g skimmer chamber, that overflowed to a 40g refugium, that overflowed to a 60g lagoon, that finally flowed into my 100g sump. The display was only a 72g tank, try stuffing all that under a tank __________________ Time is the most valuable thing you have... spend it wisely Current Tank Info: 60x26x24 AGE 3 sided starphire

10/07/2011, 08:46 PM	#4
Raceimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sarver, Pa Posts: 296	My basement temperature remains fairly constant so I don't need a chiller. If you build a "fish room" in the basement your husband's dust will not be an issue. All of your equipment and mess will be away from your living area. Never carry water again to top off or perform water changes. Won't spill skimmate on your carpet. You can purchase a stock tank from a farm store to use as a sump. $130 for a 150 gal capacity. More than enough room for the drain lines to empty during power outages. Reeflo pumps flow rates don't drop off as fast as many other brands when you push the water from the basement to the next floor. (Personally my best investment) __________________ Gary Current Tank Info: 120 gal reef with 50 gal breeder sump, Reeflow Wahoo pump, Sea Swirl for motion in the mini ocean, AGM G2 skimmer, 2 Ecotec Radions LED fixtures, and 2 Ecotech vortechs, 90 Gal discus tank with fluval 404 and 4 lamp T5 fixture

10/07/2011, 09:03 PM	#5
Neogenocide Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Findlay, OH Posts: 851	The same as above, the only con I have is having to run a larger return pump. But if done right, you can run your ENTIRE system off of one pump. I split my drain line so that some of it runs through the skimmer, which a recirculation external design. Works pretty well in the 9 months of use so far. This also removes any added heat that the return pump puts into your water. Also as mentioned above, that removes and need for a chiller, but I also run LED's, so that help as well. From there I split the return line, and run my frag tank and any reactors off of it. So, my entire system if on one pump, bad thing is I haven't bought a backup......yet. It's also very nice to do all the water changes in the basement, over a cement floor, so if I do make a mess, it's no big deal. I'm sure I pay a little more in electricity for the larger return pump, but man o man is it worth it. Scott __________________ NorthWest Ohio Reef Association

10/08/2011, 06:14 AM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	But if your husband is always creating dust, a fish room would be terrific. It would also allow for shelves and other neat ways of organizing. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

10/07/2011, 08:12 PM	#3
trigger gta Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 34	con, added cost more heat loss in colder months bigger sump needed to catch the extra water in the drain lines pros, same as mc cro said. everything else a few of my personal favs are. water does not heat up as fast from the lights. ALL the noise is down stairs and with a bean drain upstairs can be 100% quiet also water changes done downstairs and spilled water will not damage the floor. you can have a much larger sump down there

10/08/2011, 06:38 AM	#8
bennylab Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lake Wylie, SC Posts: 83	Basement also allows room for large rodi and salt water storage containers. I made a fish room that my wife calls the laboratory - qt tanks, large refugium, table for water testing, lots of storage, etc. I am very happy I went this route. I had to run about 60 feet of pipe to get down and over to my fish room, but I would do it again - one of the best decisions I have made. __________________ My wife has informed me she doesn't want to know what it costs :) Current Tank Info: 200g corner, 75g basement sump, 55g refugium, Vertex Alpha 250, Apex, 3 Vortech mp40, litermeter ato & water changes, procall ca reactor, AI led lighting, Reeflo Hammerhead return

10/08/2011, 10:53 AM	#9
webdizzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Willoughby, Ohio Posts: 897	Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like I'm putting it in the basement. Now. . . to talk my husband into building a fishroom while working full-time and going to school. . . . __________________ Cheryl Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo Fusion 40, Mixed Reef -- going with the "KISS" theory this time. :)

10/08/2011, 11:26 AM	#10
dogstar74 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,152	One con is humidity. Make sure you're room with the sump has plenty of ventilation so that humidity doesn't sneak up on you. Other than that the only other con is the envy of your friends. __________________ "If there's nothing wrong with me... then there must be something wrong with the universe!" Current Tank Info: 10 gallon nano with ATS

10/08/2011, 12:21 PM	#13
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If you've got a floor drain and utility sink in the basement, it's even more wonderful. I use a rollabout Frigidaire (I think) humidifier which has not given me any heating issues. {Spokane, WA, with a library on the other side of the basement---so humidity is a concern.} I was able to heat-balance this particular tank without a basement, however, when I lived in an apartment with lousy airconditioning: every tank's different, particularly regarding the pumps, etc. You can also keep a basement sump's water cooler by having an exterior pump. Iwaki is what I use. It's cooled by ambient air as well as the water flowing through it and I have no heating issues. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

10/08/2011, 12:47 PM	#14
Neogenocide Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Findlay, OH Posts: 851	I ran into the ambeint air temp problem while running my dehumidifier, however since my "back room" is all the hvac sits, sump pump, water heater, it was easily overcome by adding a little air circulation out to the rest of the basement. __________________ NorthWest Ohio Reef Association

10/08/2011, 06:05 PM	#15
webdizzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Willoughby, Ohio Posts: 897	We don't have an issue with humidity in our basement. And, it stays cool, so the cool air will help in the summer. I've had to put our air conditioning on just for the tank at times since I don't have a chiller. We do have a floor drain, but not a sink. Although we could probably put one in if I wanted. I'll be hooking up a new RODI system as well. __________________ Cheryl Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo Fusion 40, Mixed Reef -- going with the "KISS" theory this time. :)

10/08/2011, 08:02 PM	#16
younglcy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 93	Basement sump is the way to go, it makes the display much more enjoyable to have all the noise, salt creep and misc. downstairs. Make sure to run a wire to the basement along with your plumbing so you can wire in a float switch to shut off your return in case the level in the display starts to rise. Double check the overall height too, you're going to need a pump with a good head (pressure rated) to push the water up more than about 12'.

10/08/2011, 08:18 PM	#17
freetareef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 442	$200 for a 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tank, is by far the best "water to dollars" ratio you will ever find....you will not regret it!! more volume=more stability chemically, biologically and temperature wise, which=happy corals which=happy you!!!

10/08/2011, 08:59 PM	#18
saltysailor2329 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Frederick, CO Posts: 547	I'm just starting this and am really looking forward to the added space to do everything and the added water volume. My DT is a 40g breeder draining to a 20 tall with filter sock and skimmer, draining to a 20 long refugium with DSB and the banished damsel draining to a 100g sump that will be full of LR. I'm still trying to figure out a spot for corals as well. __________________ 200g DD has been wet since March 16, 2013!!!! Running 40g breeder w/20L sump is currently acting as the QT.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sump in Basement ... pros & cons	JB63	Chicagoland Marine Aquarium Society (CMAS)	21	01/06/2014 04:05 PM
Newbie basement sump question	lurchix	Do It Yourself	0	01/12/2010 03:19 PM
Glass or Acrylic Sump? Pros and Cons	eznet2u	Do It Yourself	5	10/18/2007 04:46 PM
Pros and Cons of Fuge or Sump?	ppht	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	5	01/17/2007 09:03 AM
pros & cons - sump bubble trap - OUO vs UOU	Lv2_play	Do It Yourself	11	03/29/2006 03:27 AM