Can we use plastic tubs for sump/refug?

[BummersReef]

we are gonna do sump and refug in basement utility room directly under tank. LFS guy said we could use big tubs ... Heavy duty ... For sump and refug. Has anyone out there ever done this ? What are things to keep in mind? How do you cover them?
Thanks!!!

 

[ecam]

http://www.googleadservices.com/pag...ahUKEwjX147Kie7MAhXEpB4KHeYyAw4Qwg8IHQ&adurl=

 

[reefcleaners Verified Sponsor]

we are gonna do sump and refug in basement utility room directly under tank. LFS guy said we could use big tubs ... Heavy duty ... For sump and refug. Has anyone out there ever done this ? What are things to keep in mind? How do you cover them?
Thanks!!!

Yes, I have and they work well. Rubbermaid makes some great ones you can find at a Tractor Supply Co

 

[BummersReef]

Yes, I have and they work well. Rubbermaid makes some great ones you can find at a Tractor Supply Co

thank you! that is exactly what we were hoping to hear! Did you cover them (sump and/or refugium) or can they just be left to open air?

 

[reefcleaners Verified Sponsor]

They can be left open, assuming you don't have to worry about things getting in. If bugs or kids can get to it, it may be a good idea to enclose it, not necessary cover them.

 

[BummersReef]

They can be left open, assuming you don't have to worry about things getting in. If bugs or kids can get to it, it may be a good idea to enclose it, not necessary cover them.

how about dogs?? <grin> the kids do forget to give them water sometimes but will they actually drink saltwater? kidding, both are too short and fat to reach them

 

[reefcleaners Verified Sponsor]

Sounds like my dog.

If you have young kids I would enclose them. Toys fall in. Friends "feed" the tank strange things. It also cuts down on dust contamination.

 

[dbl]

Funny timing. I just ordered one this evening. Amazon under $100 delivered if you have a prime account. Here's the link and they have others.

http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Co...54785&sr=8-2&keywords=Rubbermaid+water+trough

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Funny timing. I just ordered one this evening. Amazon under $100 delivered if you have a prime account. Here's the link and they have others.

http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Co...54785&sr=8-2&keywords=Rubbermaid+water+trough

I just got the 100g in this brand for $70 from Tractor Supply. They might be on sale!

 

[dbl]

I just got the 100g in this brand for $70 from Tractor Supply. They might be on sale!

Thanks Rev...way to make me feel good about myself! In all seriousness, we only have one Tractor Supply near me and they didn't have any. To the OP, if you have one near you, it sounds like it's worth a trip.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Haha honestly I would have bought the one you did all day long had I not found it. Sorry about that.

 

[JasReef]

You are going to want to seal up the bulkhead that comes with it and use a better one drilled somewhere else. The one that comes with it almost always fails at some point. I found a lot of threads discussing it when I did mine.

100 gallon Rubbermaid for 69.99 at tractor supply. [emoji106]

 

[reef_junkie]

I capped off the stock bulkhead and added a couple of 2" bulkheads. Also I made a lid for mine hinged to the top. it really cut down the splash and evaporation.

 

[Ares]

I leave mine open, have a big skimmer in it and mangroves growing out of the middle. They work great. It has happened a couple times that the cat fell in trying to get a fish that lives in it though.

 

[143MPCo]

we are gonna do sump and refug in basement utility room directly under tank. LFS guy said we could use big tubs ... Heavy duty ... For sump and refug. Has anyone out there ever done this ? What are things to keep in mind? How do you cover them?
Thanks!!!

To the right is the sump, and to the left is the fug...

Inside the sump for flow...

Filled with rock...

Water jets at work, keeps the detritus suspended for the skimmer to do its job...

 

[Lowstorm]

I use one too. Bought a 36 gallon (I think?) from the local farm supply store.

 

[briancarterkc]

I can't find the photo, but I saw someone once have a kiddie pool in their basement as their sump. Cool thing was it had a sand island in the middle, mangroves, and even a model scale beach umbrella with lounge chairs and tiny pina coladas. It also had a section where they grew out frags. I used to have an unfinished basement under my tank and regret all the cool things I didn't try.

 

[Frozn]

Have any of you figured a way to surface skim the rubbermaid? I find i have a slight film. Ive added a koralia pump at the surfacr so it slightly sucks air, in hopes that it draw that film into the water.

 

[pjsavas]

we are gonna do sump and refug in basement utility room directly under tank. LFS guy said we could use big tubs ... Heavy duty ... For sump and refug. Has anyone out there ever done this ? What are things to keep in mind? How do you cover them?
Thanks!!!

-150gal Rubbermaid Sump
-Eshopps PSK200 Skimmer
-Jebao rw-15 wave maker
-Jebao 15000 return pump
-Fluval e300 heater
-30+ lbs rubble rock
-Caulerpa and Sea grapes
-Marainand Reef LED lights
-Underneath I have a 30gal with RO hooked up to a Tunze Osmolator

 

[pjsavas]

Have any of you figured a way to surface skim the rubbermaid? I find i have a slight film. Ive added a koralia pump at the surfacr so it slightly sucks air, in hopes that it draw that film into the water.

Small power head just slightly above the surface to agitate, works great!