Preventing Water From Getting Under my Sump

[cmcimino]

I am currently setting up a 75 with a 34 trigger systems sump. I filled up the sump yesterday to test out my skimmer and noticed I got some water underneath the sump. Currently the sump is just sitting directly on the wood from the stand. In order to clean up the water I had to disconnect the plumbing and lift of the sump. Should I use some rubber stand-offs so I can at least slide a paper towel underneath there? I was also thinking about possibly using some waterproof sealant around the edge of the sump. What have you all done in the past?

 

[cracker]

Is it possible a little water was spilled from the sump while filling? You could just let it evaporate depending on how much water is there

 

[cmcimino]

Yeah, it's definitely coming from water being spilled, but it looks like it's just going to soak in the wood over time instead of evaporating since there is now airspace between the stand and sump.

 

[kirbuno]

I used one of these sheets which was enough to line bottom sides and top of my stand's insides.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-16-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Plastic-Panel-63003/202090190

Attached with adhesive. Sealed the seams with bathroom/kitchen caulk. Then cut holes where I needed them. Easy to cut with a utility knife. Deep score then bend. Cheap, durable, waterproof, scrubable, and very flexible, will not crack even when folded in half on itself. Easy to clean the salt creep. I kept the textured side exposed. I think I would keep the smooth side exposed if I were to do it again.

 

[Greybeard]

Seal the inside of the stand. I like Rustoleum's TopSide. Nice, hard surface, good water protection, bright white, so you can actually see when working under the tank. Takes a while to fully cure, but it's time well spent.

Rubber Stand-offs, under most sumps, would be a problem. Most sumps are thin acrylic, and designed to sit on a flat surface. It's going to warp, even crack, under the load. If you put anything under the sump, I'd suggest a thin, closed cell foam rubber sheet, but that's not going to prevent water from seeping under the sump.

Using a sealant to go around the sump is going to prevent removal for cleaning, something I do about once a year.

 

[Mark3]

I would definitely water proof the wood inside the tank stand, hands down, no question! Several good options out there.... boat bottom paint, and other....I have truck bed liner painted inside mine. but if I did it over, I would go with white boat paint.

But yes...waterproof the inside, you will be glad you did.

 

[OriginalUserName]

Using that rubber grid type stuff they use in restaurants and on decks would probably work well. Might even help dampen your pump noise.

 

[Mark3]

Using that rubber grid type stuff they use in restaurants and on decks would probably work well. Might even help dampen your pump noise.

That is sorta like the truck bed liner I have in mine....perfect watertight seal, but a rough finish, heavy texture. It makes it hard to wipe up a spill or leak. I would recommend a smooth finish for easy clean up, and white for a nice bright, clean looking sump area.... I know what my next stand will be like

 

[OriginalUserName]

That is sorta like the truck bed liner I have in mine....perfect watertight seal, but a rough finish, heavy texture. It makes it hard to wipe up a spill or leak. I would recommend a smooth finish for easy clean up, and white for a nice bright, clean looking sump area.... I know what my next stand will be like

Good point. But to keep water out it needs to have channels to allow airflow.

 

[Mark3]

Good point. But to keep water out it needs to have channels to allow airflow.

hummm... I guess the truck bed liner in mine is good in that way....I have had water in the bottom of my stand a couple of times over the years, and it is water tight and has dried out easy after. So, not a bad choice, ...my stand has about an inch&half lip around the bottom, so it can, and has, held a pretty good amount of water before spilling onto the floor.

 

[drtrash]

Get a pan and be done with it! Boot pan works

 

[McArcher]

I use air line tubing. Before filling your sump, cut a few pieces the width of your sump (I think I used 6 or so) and tape them to the bottom of the sump spaced out evenly. It spreads out the load enough to keep the acrylic from cracking and creates an air space to allow water to evaporate

 

[Dragon52]

I covered my stand bottom with Flex Seal. It is setup so that even if my sump sprung a leak it would stay in the stand & not get anything wet.

 

[Bradley Keck]

Another option, although not as nice looking as some of the other recommendations, is to place pond liner under the sump. It works great and can be replaced easily if it gets a lot of build up over time.

 

[mtraylor]

I have a 2" liner made of PVC on my current setup. There are lots of great ideas above. Another option is to get yourself a couple cants of plasti dip and spray the heck out of it and caulk the seems. A liner is better though. I use plastidip and caulk under one of my sinks where my RODI unit is and it works. If a little water is spilled you can just wipe it up and go about your business. In a sump, I would much prefer a liner as getting under the sump will not be much of an option for clean up and water will be under there for a while.

 

[samnaz]

I painted my stand bottom with white epoxy. Then cut a yoga mat to fit the length of the stand, and another yoga mat for beneath the sump, for good measure.

 

[Richie27]

i’m working on a new tank and i’m going to line the inside with AZAC so if any thing leaks or over flows a little it will be protected

just got azac today

 

[drtrash]

Sweet trim

 

[cmcimino]

I ended up painting the inside of stand with the boat bottom paint, and sealing all the seams with waterproof sealant. I already have everything piped so I cannot put a large pad underneath the sump. I think I am going to end up running a bead of sealant around the sump to prevent water from getting in it. If I need to remove the sump I can always cut the bead and reseal it easily.

 

[Richie27]

AZAC IS IN can’t wait to build the doors