Basement sumps/systems Pros & Cons

[scubadude]

Ok guys I want to start gathering info on all you guys that have either basement sumps or display tanks....or even whole systems. Gimme everything you got pics, diagrams, links, advice, pros, cons, and any other stuff you can throw in the mix. I just moved to Kansas about a month ago and may be setting up a tank soon and I never have done anything in a basement before so want to learn the ins & outs.

[scooterman]

Well I don't have a basement, homes down here don't have them, the water table is too low LOL but here is a pick of mine.

[Reefland]

Here are a couple pros of having the entire system downstairs in a basement:

1. Cooler space (easier temp control).
2. Usually more customizable (if your finishing the space, it's easier to incorporate a tank room).

[Reefland]

That is an EXTREMELY clean setup scooterman! Good Job!

[scooterman]

well that was when i first set it up but it is rather easily cleaned, just not the shiny thanks

[Reefland]

I was referring to the installation itself, the plumbing, pump setups, etc...not how "clean" the glass looked.

[The R/C Man]

I just moved into a new place but it is lacking a basement. :-( If it had one I would use two large rubbermaid containers (150 gallons each). One would have some live rock and be elevated slightly above the other. The second would be a refugium. IF ONLY!

[charlie]

Hey Rocky, I would love to help you out, but all my pics are on my PC at home, I am in SE Colorado on phone company business.
All of our tanks are in the basement tho, 3 freshwater and the 2 reef tanks. I will offer one thing tho, I still needed to use fans on the 300 to keep it cool in the summer. It has been unusully hot this year, but with the use of fans, I can still keep the temps under 82.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Poseidon]

Hey Rocky! I love my basement sump! I will post some pictures soon, as I have made some revisions since the last time I added pictures to my gallery. ( I am planning a few more revisions too, maybe I can work on it this weekend.) The best things about a basement sump are temp control and ease of working on the system. Without having to stand on my head, I can clean the skimmer, check the UV, add Kalk to the reactor, etc etc. The downside is you will need a much larger pump, maybe two, to drive the system. Also, you will have to keep an eye on the humidity in the basement.

My latest idea includes turning my MRC skimmer into a recirc model, and using the water coming down from the tank as the input. If I can do this, then 100% of the water from the tank will enter the skimmer before going into the sump. Then to add even greater UV efficiency, I will have my return line pass through the UV before making it to the tank, so I will have a 100% pass there too.

Maybe I better get off my duff and start working huh.... ??? LOL!

[Reefland]

What are you waiting for Mike, get to work!

[golfish]

I just moved to Kansas about a month ago .

Kanas what the hec are you doing in Kanasa?

[charlie]

Waiting for Dorothy and Toto????????????????????

[scubadude]

Kanas what the hec are you doing in Kanasa?

LOL leave it to Mark to be the last one to know. So I take it you didnt get the invitation to my inaugaration of me becoming a wheat field farmer?

Seriously, just spending time w/my family and getting back to the basics. Me and my dad are thinking about starting up a bizness together it has alot to do with basement foundation repair. And as stated above I wish to analyze the thermal values of a basement a little bit closer before I start building my system.

Hey Scott, Mark...or anyone! have you guys heard from LTSPD aka Paul? Sure would be nice to hear from him

Oh yeah Charlie, I left Dorothy and Toto back in Florida

[charlie]

Actually Rocky, I am just across the state from you!!! I am in Lamar Colorado for 2 more weeks. Wish I coud make it over, but my schedule won't allow it.

[scubadude]

Well Im living with my folks right now, until I sell my house and convinced my dad after 2 mos to let me build a tank so here is what I got to work with, its going in the basement which is 90% finished the tank will be built into the wall the viewing panel will be in the living room and the back side of the tank w/all the equipment will be in the unfinished room section of the basement where the actual basement sump pump is....I figured if the tank ever flooded that the sump pump for the basement itself would serve as an excellent insurance policy and my dad likes that idea too. So im gonna knock a hole in the wall and it will go above the sofa you see in the first picture and the 2nd picture is the unfinished section where the backside of the tank will be....I need input and ideas.... Im thinking of making a catch pan underneath the tank stand like AC's or water heaters have incase they overflow...and just plumb the catch pan to the basement sump pump....thoughts?