Outdoor sump?

[brianhama]

I’ve been struggling to add a sump to my tank because my tank is built into the wall and the largest sump I can fit below is about 40 gallons, which is too small for my tank. Even at that size, it’s super tight and a pain to work with. I’m considering putting some sort of bulkheads through the exterior wall of my home and putting the sump outside. I was thinking I could build some sort of insulated shed for it. I live in California and so freezing isn’t really an issue, but maybe heat could be in the summers. Has anyone tried this? Anything I should be aware of before I go about implanting this idea?

 

[Dom]

I’ve been struggling to add a sump to my tank because my tank is built into the wall and the largest sump I can fit below is about 40 gallons, which is too small for my tank. Even at that size, it’s super tight and a pain to work with. I’m considering putting some sort of bulkheads through the exterior wall of my home and putting the sump outside. I was thinking I could build some sort of insulated shed for it. I live in California and so freezing isn’t really an issue, but maybe heat could be in the summers. Has anyone tried this? Anything I should be aware of before I go about implanting this idea?

Elevated temps may be an issue and create the need for a chiller. I would think a sump enclosed in an outdoor shed would get very warm.

 

[FUNGI]

I’ve been struggling to add a sump to my tank because my tank is built into the wall and the largest sump I can fit below is about 40 gallons, which is too small for my tank. Even at that size, it’s super tight and a pain to work with. I’m considering putting some sort of bulkheads through the exterior wall of my home and putting the sump outside. I was thinking I could build some sort of insulated shed for it. I live in California and so freezing isn’t really an issue, but maybe heat could be in the summers. Has anyone tried this? Anything I should be aware of before I go about implanting this idea?

Lots of people do this..in fact I will be doing this also this summer.

 

[FUNGI]

I would suggest you look at a fellow hobbyist on the other forum.....02manyfish

 

[brianhama]

Elevated temps may be an issue and create the need for a chiller. I would think a sump enclosed in an outdoor shed would get very warm.

You’re right, heat might be a real issue. It wouldn’t be in direct sunlight, but summers here can get up to 110 degrees. And it would be inside an insulated closed container with equipment running so likely even hotter. Do you think a fan-type chiller would be sufficient? Or would this setup require alternative water cooling of some sort?

 

[FUNGI]

invest in a 1hp chiller.....alos, theres another hobbyist who buried a bunch of piping from tank to sump 12" or so under his lawn.....kept his water temp consistent at 72 or so....

 

[FUNGI]

this is what I will be doing as far as insulation:

Outdoor Sump

Hi, this is my first attempt at keeping Marine Fish. I have built my own corner tank and sump. Has anybody ever had any experience of housing their sump outside? I was thinking of digging a hole in the ground and putting the sump in a well insulated box in the ground, really just to keep the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[FUNGI]

But be ready for evaporation!!!!

 

[FUNGI]

This is what I will be using;;;

Moeller Marine Livewells 042284-W​

 

[Dom]

You’re right, heat might be a real issue. It wouldn’t be in direct sunlight, but summers here can get up to 110 degrees. And it would be inside an insulated closed container with equipment running so likely even hotter. Do you think a fan-type chiller would be sufficient? Or would this setup require alternative water cooling of some sort?

For $99 bucks, you can install a window AC.

 

[Dom]

But be ready for evaporation!!!!

In high humidity environments, evaporation will be minimal.

 

[cilyjr]

I was thinking I could build some sort of insulated shed for it. I live in California and so freezing isn’t really an issue, but maybe heat could be in the summers. Has anyone tried this?

I live in Pismo beach. I built a shed where my equipment is.
Here's my thread on it.

Large Build - 320 gallon display with equipment shed

Hi all, I moved to California about 5 years ago from Rhode Island. There I had a 180 gallon display that I had built into the wall. Photos from 2018 I sold most of this when I moved but kept the vortechs, Apex, and a few other of the more expensive items.

www.reef2reef.com