Drilling through first floor for basement sump

BRISK495 · 08/13/2007, 09:16 PM

I was looking to setup a tank on my first floor. RIght below this is my basement. Does anyone have any pics/suggestions/ideas how to utilize their basement as a sump...this would work? I have my own ideas, but I am no expert. This would be a new house....

BRISK495 · 08/13/2007, 09:17 PM

haha when i say use basement as a sumo, i mean as an area to keep your sump....just to clarify!

reef2 · 08/13/2007, 09:21 PM

lots of people do this. just take a hole saw bit and drill through the stand then the floor. just make sure there is nothing (wire,pipe) under where u want to drill.

BruiseAndy · 08/13/2007, 09:28 PM

May want to build this sump high on a stand, the taller your pump has to push the more flow you lose.

BRISK495 · 08/13/2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BruiseAndy
May want to build this sump high on a stand, the taller your pump has to push the more flow you lose.

I was thinking the same exact thing....Maybe put something up on cinderblocks, then stepladder next to that for access....

poppin_fresh · 08/14/2007, 06:26 AM

IMO raising the sump up to save 2' of head is more of an inconvenience than its worth. I personally can deal with 25gph of less flow to not have to stand on something to see in.

deuceybiggs · 08/14/2007, 07:34 AM

I agree, I have many many aquariums that I service professionally that I have set up in this manner. The floor kills the back, On a ladder is a pain in the A&&, Waist high.... just right! Guess you could say it has been the goldielocks syndrome!

hllywd · 08/14/2007, 07:35 AM

Since this is a new house it sorta depends how trick you want to make it. I'd probably run the plumbing in the wall during construction for drains, returns, RO, etc... Put it behind an access panel if it's going to be a while before you set things up. I personally like the idea of raising the sump, within reason. I too wouldn't want to need to stand on something to do maintenance.

Also straying from the topic, but make sure you put the electric in that you plan to need now. I ran 1 dedicated circuit but should have ran at least 2 for some redundancy in case 1 or the other trips.

Tim

BTW - The basement as a sump would add a whole new dimension to the "Rec Room"!!!

08/13/2007, 09:16 PM	#1
BRISK495 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: South Harrison, NJ Posts: 1,024	Drilling through first floor for basement sump I was looking to setup a tank on my first floor. RIght below this is my basement. Does anyone have any pics/suggestions/ideas how to utilize their basement as a sump...this would work? I have my own ideas, but I am no expert. This would be a new house.... __________________ My addiction began as a kid visiting Martin's Aquarium!! Current Tank Info: 100 starphire rimless in planning since January 2012. 100 Gallon Rubbermaid Basement Sump and 65 gallon refugium.

08/13/2007, 09:17 PM	#2
BRISK495 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: South Harrison, NJ Posts: 1,024	haha when i say use basement as a sumo, i mean as an area to keep your sump....just to clarify! __________________ My addiction began as a kid visiting Martin's Aquarium!! Current Tank Info: 100 starphire rimless in planning since January 2012. 100 Gallon Rubbermaid Basement Sump and 65 gallon refugium.

08/13/2007, 09:28 PM	#4
BruiseAndy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ogden ut Posts: 896	May want to build this sump high on a stand, the taller your pump has to push the more flow you lose. __________________ "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Current Tank Info: 150g and 75g

08/14/2007, 06:26 AM	#6
poppin_fresh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,982	IMO raising the sump up to save 2' of head is more of an inconvenience than its worth. I personally can deal with 25gph of less flow to not have to stand on something to see in. __________________ PBITAWA! Current Tank Info: None now. Past- 180g w/ 100g basement sump and 20g 'fuge. H & S skimmer, T'5s & Tunze

08/14/2007, 07:34 AM	#7
deuceybiggs Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 6	I agree, I have many many aquariums that I service professionally that I have set up in this manner. The floor kills the back, On a ladder is a pain in the A&&, Waist high.... just right! Guess you could say it has been the goldielocks syndrome! __________________ Shayne Perry Owner Aquascaping Specialists Current Tank Info: too many to list

08/13/2007, 09:21 PM	#3
reef2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 639	lots of people do this. just take a hole saw bit and drill through the stand then the floor. just make sure there is nothing (wire,pipe) under where u want to drill.

08/14/2007, 07:35 AM	#8
hllywd Premier World Traveler Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,293	Since this is a new house it sorta depends how trick you want to make it. I'd probably run the plumbing in the wall during construction for drains, returns, RO, etc... Put it behind an access panel if it's going to be a while before you set things up. I personally like the idea of raising the sump, within reason. I too wouldn't want to need to stand on something to do maintenance. Also straying from the topic, but make sure you put the electric in that you plan to need now. I ran 1 dedicated circuit but should have ran at least 2 for some redundancy in case 1 or the other trips. Tim BTW - The basement as a sump would add a whole new dimension to the "Rec Room"!!! __________________ "The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it..." J.M. Barrie Current Tank Info: 210 AGA RR, Apex, 3x Kessil A360W & 2x 80W T5s, GEO 618 Ca Rx, BM220 CS2 skimmer, Tunze 6100s, 42" ETSS/AE Tech refugium/sump