Sump in furnace room?

[DurbelMcDillett]

Hey all you experienced reefers. I am putting a 300g aquarium in my basement and running all plumbing through the wall into our furnace room which houses my furnace (obviously) as well as my water heater. Is there any issues with me having my 125g sump in the same small room with those large appliances?

 

[lapin]

Co2 is the only issue I can think of...... Prob not a biggie

 

[OceanDiver]

I did the same thing. Granted I only have reefier 525XL.
I ran ran 1/4" lines through the ceiling for top off and water change. Honestly wished I had ran more for a calcium reactor.

As for CO2. I ran a pipe/tubing to the outside within the walls and to the intake of the skimmer. I also added a carbon filter on the outside of my house. My tank is only 6 months old but couldn't get my pH above 8.0 until I used outside air. Now I am stable around 8.1

I highly recommend running additional tubing lines just in case.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

I did this years ago, and it caused my furnace to rust out and allowed carbon monoxide into the room. I had to replace the furnace and several other pieces of equipment. Be very careful doing this, and make sure you keep the humidity down and sump covered... This was on a 450 gallon tank with 100 gallon sump. Tank was in an adjacent room.

 

[Copingwithpods]

@SawCJack00 brings up alot of good points. Rust, co2 and low pH are valid concerns. This all depends on how well ventilated that room is and how efficiently your water heater and furnace are running.

 

[Miamidchi]

you wouldn't have issues with rusting out furnace if its high efficiency ( rated to vent in plastic pipe) and the furnace has its own separate intake. Water tank is a whole other issue. Tankless can be vented same way also though.

 

[OceanDiver]

I did this years ago, and it caused my furnace to rust out and allowed carbon monoxide into the room. I had to replace the furnace and several other pieces of equipment. Be very careful doing this, and make sure you keep the humidity down and sump covered... This was on a 450 gallon tank with 100 gallon sump. Tank was in an adjacent room.

Good Point.

I forgot to add that I added a dehumidifier and upgraded the home thermostat so could program in outside ventilation if needed.

I haven't had to use the ventilation but the dehumidifier kicks on a few time and my humid stays between 45-50. We will see how the summer goes. I also looked at adding a whole house dehumidifier. There are easy to install and only $500-700. I am hopping I can just keep using my floor unit from Best Buy LOL

 

[OceanDiver]

you wouldn't have issues with rusting out furnace if its high efficiency ( rated to vent in plastic pipe) and the furnace has its own separate intake. Water tank is a whole other issue. Tankless can be vented same way also though.

After reading your post. I went and checked my water heater. LOL no rust.

 

[Miamidchi]

Good Point.

I forgot to add that I added a dehumidifier and upgraded the home thermostat so could program in outside ventilation if needed.

I haven't had to use the ventilation but the dehumidifier kicks on a few time and my humid stays between 45-50. We will see how the summer goes. I also looked at adding a whole house dehumidifier. There are easy to install and only $500-700. I am hopping I can just keep using my floor unit from Best Buy LOL

If this is in your furnace room i wouldn't suggest a whole house dehumidifier as the furnace room should have no return air registers pulling in the humidity of the sump and dispersing it through the house. However if your in a coastal area or the deep south whole house dehumidifiers are a great add no matter what.

 

[ca1ore]

Hmmmn .... been running a sump, frag tank and (for a while) a large refugium in my basement mechanicals room. No observable rust on the boiler, HW heater or water tank .... at least nothing beyond normal wear and tear. I do run a portable dehumidifier though in the humid Summer months.

 

[K7BMG]

Yes I would be concerned about C02 as well.
Ventilation is key here.

 

[OceanDiver]

If this is in your furnace room i wouldn't suggest a whole house dehumidifier as the furnace room should have no return air registers pulling in the humidity of the sump and dispersing it through the house. However if your in a coastal area or the deep south whole house dehumidifiers are a great add no matter what.

Just to clarify. I have a reefer 525 and my sump is in the stand. I did however run 1/4" lines to my furnace room where I have a my RO/DI and a 55gal trash can for fresh and a 55 gal for salt.

I have NEPTUNE DOS above for auto water change and PMUP for auto top off.

 

[jpas]

I have a 500 gallon system with the tank built into a wall, so the tank and the sump are in the same room or area as the furnace. I live in Michigan and it is relatively dry in comparison to the southern states. I have had zero issue with rust on anything.

Your furnace does not draw any air from the room its in, it pulls it from the return air ducts and if you have a fresh air intake.

 

[ca1ore]

Why would CO2 be a problem?

 

[OceanDiver]

Newer houses and basements tend tp build up C02 which will hinder your tanks pH level.

Before I piped in outside air, I could never maintain my PH above 8. now it is stable at 8.1

 

[K7BMG]

Yup as stated in post #15 by Mr. Bretzke.
Where there is fire there is Co2.

 

[Jeeperz]

I have a 500 gallon system with the tank built into a wall, so the tank and the sump are in the same room or area as the furnace. I live in Michigan and it is relatively dry in comparison to the southern states. I have had zero issue with rust on anything.

Your furnace does not draw any air from the room its in, it pulls it from the return air ducts and if you have a fresh air intake.

That is not always true. Very few furnace ducts are sealed. My house I am renting was built in the 90's the furnace room is the return air duct room. The return air ducts pull air from 2 separate places on the main floor, 1 place in basement, the basement duct is in the furnace room which connects to the main room in basement. 1 duct is partially open in the furnace room to move air there. My furnace room is also for the dual water heaters and washer/dryer. My furnace is a 90+% unit from 2004. If you are having co2 issues, there are more severe issues that a professional needs to look at. Unless you splash saltwater everywhere rust should not be an issue or the nails holding the house together would also be an issue.

 

[K7BMG]

That is not always true. Very few furnace ducts are sealed. My house I am renting was built in the 90's the furnace room is the return air duct room. The return air ducts pull air from 2 separate places on the main floor, 1 place in basement, the basement duct is in the furnace room which connects to the main room in basement. 1 duct is partially open in the furnace room to move air there. My furnace room is also for the dual water heaters and washer/dryer. My furnace is a 90+% unit from 2004. If you are having co2 issues, there are more severe issues that a professional needs to look at. Unless you splash saltwater everywhere rust should not be an issue or the nails holding the house together would also be an issue.

Yes I understand what your saying. I think your incorrect but I don't know the construction of your residence.

Normally these are closed loops. Built in the 90s or not. More efficiency is obtained this way.

Operating air is and has always been isolated (Or should be.) for safety purpose.

But again I don't know your construction.

Flame produces Co2. the flame is in the furnace and under the water heater that is in the room. Therefore Co2 is present.

 

[jpas]

That is not always true. Very few furnace ducts are sealed. My house I am renting was built in the 90's the furnace room is the return air duct room. The return air ducts pull air from 2 separate places on the main floor, 1 place in basement, the basement duct is in the furnace room which connects to the main room in basement. 1 duct is partially open in the furnace room to move air there. My furnace room is also for the dual water heaters and washer/dryer. My furnace is a 90+% unit from 2004. If you are having co2 issues, there are more severe issues that a professional needs to look at. Unless you splash saltwater everywhere rust should not be an issue or the nails holding the house together would also be an issue.

Your house is not built to code.

 

[Waters]

My sump sits right next to both my furnace and hot water tank without any issues...including Co2. I do run a Co2 reactor off of my skimmer, but only because it only takes 1 or 2 of my daughters friends in the basement to make my PH plummet.