Basement fuge up and running

[TimKND]

I finally fired up my basement sump and fuge. Sure make things quite at the display tank. I used two rubbermaid 70 gal stock tanks for the sump and fuge. I wanted to do it right, so I added an electrical sub panel to power everything. All components are on separate breakers (I will use them as switches to turn pumps, etc. on and off. - No more plugging and unplugging) with separate GFI on each circuit. That way if one trips, the other components stay on. I piped in a lot of flexibility so I can discharge any flow to any tank. That will also allow me to balance flow. I also have some extra valved connections. My skimmer currently runs off a separate pump. Next week, I will experiment with running the skimmer off my main pump. I have plenty of flow and head.

The only problem I'm having is keeping the heat up since I now have so much water in the cooler basement. I have a 300W heater in the display, 300W heater in the sump, and 250W in the fuge. It seems like they are running constantly. Do any of you basement system guys have similiar problems. Any suggestions?

 

[younglcy]

Very nice setup. I'm in the process of building/plumbing a very similar setup with a 100 gal. sump in the basement and I've wondered about the heating question too. In the summer, my basement stays probably 10 degrees cooler than the rest of my house, so I guess based on your experience, I will need to put at least one heater in the tank and a couple of more down stairs. Any other problems/issues you've encountered with your setup that you'd change or recommend, before I get going ???

 

[cjc_cali]

one way to save some of the heat is to wrap the piping in foam insulation, you can pick up the stuff just about anywhere. also, if you can find a roll of foam insulation you can try wrapping the tubs.

nice setup btw

 

[Black71gp]

i have a 100 and 150 set up together in my basement.. i had to make plastics tops for them cause my heaters were running none stope and i could not keep it at 80.. will be nice in the summer though...lol... set up looks good... isnt it nice having all that extra water...

 

[Joxer]

I have insulation around my sump to keep it warm in the winter. I take it off in the summer. Works great.

 

[larpy]

Sent you a PM

 

[MayoBoy]

FWIW, I've read that it's a very bad thing to use breakers as switches. That's not what they're made for and it will lead to problems - probably multiplied in your situation where they're exposed to salt spray from the tanks.

 

[DKreefkeepers]

looks gret runnig right by the elect. box!

 

[larpy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6562524#post6562524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DKreefkeepers
looks gret runnig right by the elect. box!

It is amazing how much of a smart *** people can be!!

 

[billyr98]

Basement Sump

Basement Sump

I have a few things to say. I am an electrician and the breakers as a switch aren't the best idea. Some brands of breakers have a -s on the end of the model number and that means they can be used as a switch. Next subject is, I am about to add a second rubbermaid to my basement sump and would love more pictures to get more ideas. I will also contact you via email for more questions about it.

 

[stan zemanek]

i have a basement sump and i would recomend you frame in some insulated walls around your sump and make it a room. thats what i had to do to keep my water at 80 Even with the walls i still need a 250 watt heater and a submerged mag drive feeding my UV to stay at a stable temp. However, in the summer i do not need a chiller!

 

[RobinsonFam1]

i have a basement set up and only use the heater in the fuge being as its a 20 AGA tank. otherwise with 2) 250MH + 4) 110W VHO and 4 fans its all i can do to keep it at 78. I hope in the summer i can keep it below 80.

you being in Ohio i would say that you will be fine in the summer and may have a problem in the winter. damn i miss the basement up north! down here they are daylight/walkouts. always warm/hot in summer. And of course the tank comes before finishing the basement.

 

[TimKND]

Youngley:

The only thing I would recommend it to add a extra valved connection on the return line to possibly connect to your skimmer. Lucky I added a spare. I got a Pan World Pump (Model 150PS which is rated at 1100gph @ 28ft. It has plenty of juice to easily handle the return and my skimmer. It allowed me to get rid of another pump.

 

[TimKND]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6567623#post6567623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by larpy
It is amazing how much of a smart *** people can be!!

Yes, well I work as a design engineer for water and wastewater treatment plants. You be supprised how much electrical gear is around big pumps and piping. Is it better to have solid 12 gage wire in conduit elevated so it can't be flooded or to have a $10 power strip laying on the ground by the tank?

As far as the circuit breakers as swiches goes, I checked with some electrical engineers at the office and with the frequency that I will be using them as switches, I shouldn't have any problems. If I do, they are really easy to replace at $3 a pop. Also I liked the idea of a large box (power panel) to do my wiring. Running a bunch of wires in a recepticle box can be a pain.

 

[larpy]

I agree Tim. I like the way your setup is done. As stated in my earlier post I plan on doing the same thing, however I only planned on using one 100 gallon Rubbermaid tub. My plan was to have the overflows (2) from the tank upstairs drain down into the basement. One would gravity feed the protein skimmer and the other would feed a 20 or 30 gallon tank sitting on a shelf above the Rubbermaid container. I would have the skimmer sit in the 20 or 30 gallon tank above the Rubbermaid tub. The aquarium and skimmer would then drain into the Rubbermaid Refugium below on a manifold system. I am worried that if the returns from the tank drain directly into the refugium there will be too much current and cause a sand storm.

When you did your system what was your thought with doing the refugium first and then the sump lower. Not saying you did it wrong just trying to get some suggestions. I got your Pm and I see you tried to call today but we keep missing each other. Thanks for trying to get back with me.

Also, What pump are you using as a return pump to the tank and how big is your PVC supply line to the tank?

 

[jaiden]

Is it a sin to covet thy neighbor's fish room? Two very nice looking setups.

 

[larpy]

My idea for refugium

My idea for refugium

Here is my plan for refugium/sump. Any ideas on how to improve!

If the link does not work click on my gallery. Diagram is in there.

 

[TimKND]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6578818#post6578818 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by larpy

When you did your system what was your thought with doing the refugium first and then the sump lower. Not saying you did it wrong just trying to get some suggestions. I got your Pm and I see you tried to call today but we keep missing each other. Thanks for trying to get back with me.

Also, What pump are you using as a return pump to the tank and how big is your PVC supply line to the tank?

I looked at a lot of systems at reef central and decided I want my sump lower to provide easier access to the skimmer and Calc reactor in sump. Obviously, I wanted one tank lower than the other for gravity flow, but it really doesn't make a difference. I have my overflow from my display valved to both tanks; and likewise, the discharge from the pump is valved to both tanks. Soooo.. I can drain first to the fuge, then to the sump, or drain first to the sump, then pump to the fuge. This gives me a lot of flexibility to try and see what works best. Like all reef issues, their are a variety of opinions.

I'm using a Pan World 150 for the return. Overflow from tank is 1-1/2 inch, Return to tank is 1".

The other idea that I incorporated in my set-up is for moving. If you notice, I have all pipes, etc. mounted on a 4X7 plywood board. That board is screwed into furring strips on the concrete wall. So, if I ever need to move; theoretically, I will be able to cut the supply and return line, and the feed to the electrical box, then unscrew the mounting board, and move the entire piping and electrical network to the new house. However, things rarely go as planned.

Good luck with your project. Looks good to me. I would take a tee off your return line and run it to your fuge, just in case. And maybe run a valved line from one of your overflows directly to your lower tank. A few extra valves and pipe is cheep compared to the effort to do the initial set-up.

 

[cannarella]

Tim, what sizes are your return and drain? I am building out a bathroom that will be downstairs just like what you have.

Andy

 

[tabndust]

looks good