I'm coming back!! Basement Sump?

Mr.Rocc · Dec 29, 2019

Greeting everyone!
I have been reefing for the past 18 years. This past April I sold my Nuvo 40 that I had for the past 4 years. That tank had its ups and downs but I grew everything and anything! I ultimately didn't want to move a tank whenever I was going to move in the upcoming months so I had to let it go. Since then I got married and bought an amazing house that I finally have space for the next tank. However, as most of you know transporting water is by far the worst necessary part of the hobby. So, I want to put my sump directly below my display but in the basement. I was hoping some of you have done this and could educate me on how to do this properly. I look forward to reading all the information.

biecacka · Dec 29, 2019

Welcome back!!!!
i don’t have my setup like that but a few friends do. Drain pipes straight down, and a pump big enough to get the water back up. Other than that, it’s all the same

corey

JoshH · Dec 29, 2019

GREAT to have you back in the hobby @Mr.Rocc ! As mentioned above a sump in the basement is really the same as a sump under the stand, drains down, return up with a larger return pump for the head pressure and you're in business. The number of advantages a basement sump provides are almost the same amount as having a sump over an AIO. I'm doing the same with my new build and just thinking of having a sump at a height where I can stand and work on it makes me drool;Drool;Drool

thewalkingdad · Dec 29, 2019

What you mentioned is very similar to what I am doing in my build. Check out my build thread to see how I am going about it. It isn't done, so I can't claim victory yet.

Reef Dude · Dec 29, 2019

Basement sumps are the best. Been running a basement sump for the last 10 years. Functionally, same as sump in cabinet. However, there is SO much space, room to work, and minimal noise at the display tank upstairs. The only cons I can think of are a bigger return pump needed so more electricity, and in a cooler unfinished basement there may be more electricity consumed by heating the tank. Also, a con would be that you need to drill through your floors for the plumbing.

Mr.Rocc · Dec 29, 2019

biecacka said:
Welcome back!!!!
i don’t have my setup like that but a few friends do. Drain pipes straight down, and a pump big enough to get the water back up. Other than that, it’s all the same

corey

JoshH said:
GREAT to have you back in the hobby @Mr.Rocc ! As mentioned above a sump in the basement is really the same as a sump under the stand, drains down, return up with a larger return pump for the head pressure and you're in business. The number of advantages a basement sump provides are almost the same amount as having a sump over an AIO. I'm doing the same with my new build and just thinking of having a sump at a height where I can stand and work on it makes me drool;Drool;Drool

thewalkingdad said:
What you mentioned is very similar to what I am doing in my build. Check out my build thread to see how I am going about it. It isn't done, so I can't claim victory yet.

Reef Dude said:
Basement sumps are the best. Been running a basement sump for the last 10 years. Functionally, same as sump in cabinet. However, there is SO much space, room to work, and minimal noise at the display tank upstairs. The only cons I can think of are a bigger return pump needed so more electricity, and in a cooler unfinished basement there may be more electricity consumed by heating the tank. Also, a con would be that you need to drill through your floors for the plumbing.

Thank You all!!!

Mr.Rocc · Dec 29, 2019

Reef Dude said:
Basement sumps are the best. Been running a basement sump for the last 10 years. Functionally, same as sump in cabinet. However, there is SO much space, room to work, and minimal noise at the display tank upstairs. The only cons I can think of are a bigger return pump needed so more electricity, and in a cooler unfinished basement there may be more electricity consumed by heating the tank. Also, a con would be that you need to drill through your floors for the plumbing.

I have read many people having to run exhaust fans in the summer because of the humidity. Have you ran into this issue?

vetteguy53081 · Dec 29, 2019

Reef Dude · Dec 29, 2019

Mr.Rocc said:
I have read many people having to run exhaust fans in the summer because of the humidity. Have you ran into this issue?

I have not run into this issue. I run a dehumidifier in my basement regardless, and the dehumidifier keeps the humidity in the basement well controlled... and this is in an unfinished basement with no other heating/cooling/ventilation. The basement sump (I use an open top 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock tank) adds to the humidity I’m sure, but the dehumidifier keeps up with the general humidity in the basement along with the basement sump no problem. I’ll post a couple pictures tomorrow... it’s not pretty, but then again, it’s in the basement so who cares.

Feet4Fish · Dec 29, 2019

Welcome back! You’ll love the basement sump! I will never go under a tank again!

Feet4Fish · Dec 29, 2019

One other thing you can consider is to have your water reservoirs on the main floor and you can plumb them down to your basement too. Using gravity drains you can do water changes and top off just by turning a few valves!

albano · Dec 29, 2019

Been running basement/fish room sumps for almost 20 years... will never do it any other way

Mr.Rocc · Dec 29, 2019

Feet4Fish said:
One other thing you can consider is to have your water reservoirs on the main floor and you can plumb them down to your basement too. Using gravity drains you can do water changes and top off just by turning a few valves!

Luckily for me, my water Manifold is in the basement and is pex tubing so my water changes will be simple.

Mr.Rocc · Dec 29, 2019

My biggest issue is deciding on the tank. I want to go eaterbox but there stuff is expensive!!! However I can't build a nice peice of art for my stand.

JoshH · Dec 29, 2019

Mr.Rocc said:
My biggest issue is deciding on the tank. I want to go eaterbox but there stuff is expensive!!! However I can't build a nice peice of art for my stand.

Custommmmm ! You know you want to

albano · Dec 29, 2019

Feet4Fish said:
One other thing you can consider is to have your water reservoirs on the main floor and you can plumb them down to your basement too. Using gravity drains you can do water changes and top off just by turning a few valves!

Not only water changes and top off... but also my tank’s emergency drains go right to the sump, if too much, they dump right to a floor drain... as well as all skimmer waste, right down the drain!

Stang67 · Dec 29, 2019

Mr.Rocc said:
Greeting everyone!
I have been reefing for the past 18 years. This past April I sold my Nuvo 40 that I had for the past 4 years. That tank had its ups and downs but I grew everything and anything! I ultimately didn't want to move a tank whenever I was going to move in the upcoming months so I had to let it go. Since then I got married and bought an amazing house that I finally have space for the next tank. However, as most of you know transporting water is by far the worst necessary part of the hobby. So, I want to put my sump directly below my display but in the basement. I was hoping some of you have done this and could educate me on how to do this properly. I look forward to reading all the information.

Following as i am planning the same thing. From what i have read and what everyone says here really no different then "regular"sump. Bigger pump and more plumbing. I am running flex PVC and a Danner mag pump. 40g breeder sump is directly below DT and next to the water change station. Going to get some reflective insulation for the sump and put a lid on it. maybe that will help with heat and evap. going to see. Keep us updated on how it goes and any tricks you learned! Good luck!

JoshH · Dec 29, 2019

Stang67 said:
Going to get some reflective insulation for the sump and put a lid on it. maybe that will help with heat and evap.

The insulation is something done numerous times and it can be effective, you could also go with an acrylic sump down the road, something custom and made of thicker acrylic would be a great insulator as well but certainly more money...

Mr.Rocc · Dec 29, 2019

JoshH said:
Custommmmm ! You know you want to

Are you paying for it? Lol I have never seen the value in custom tanks only because I have never needed a tank that was outside of the normal dimensions.

JoshH · Dec 29, 2019

Mr.Rocc said:
Are you paying for it? Lol I have never seen the value in custom tanks only because I have never needed a tank that was outside of the normal dimensions.

Lol I would if I could. I went custom with my build because what I wanted simply isn't available stock. I also find my custom tank is built much stronger than stock options on the market so for me, I feel it will last much longer. Not saying stock tanks are a terrible route to go and there are tons out there that have been set up for decades with no issues. Just my feelings on the subject.

FWIW my custom tank was actually cheaper than something somewhat close in red sea or Waterbox... and custom doesn't always mean insanely priced.

I will say that going wider than the 24" standard was totally worth it, you would be surprised how much extra aquascaping room you get going just a bit wider. But it all comes down to what you're happy with, it's not sitting in my living room after all lol!