Building basement fishroom

[smoknreefrs]

Hello to all

I have just recently purchased a new house and the first thing that i will start on is the kitchen. However since all plumbing for the house ends up under the kitchen (and the sump is there as well) i will be starting my basement fishroom at the same time. I have already framed the room (its 12'x12') and roughed in my dedicated 60 amp sub panel for the fishroom.

So in short, if anyone has any information that would be beneficial along the way that would be great. "Do's & Don'ts"

PICS OF FINISHED FISHROOMS WOULD BE GREAT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

thanks in advance for all those that contribute event he slightest bit to help me out.

 

[smoknreefrs]

Oh bt the way, the new tank is a 120 gal (4'x2'x2').The sumps will things io have already to save on cost. T

They are:
Rubbermaid 100 gal stock tank, 75 gal RR, a 55 gallon standard and a 29L, and a 10 gallon (which will be the QT)....

i have no clue as to what to use others for, and how to set them up...and i think i will go for the MR-5 skimmer, but unsure of what pump to get for circulation with 10' head from sump to show tank...

 

[tom obrecht]

Here are some pictures of my room for my 260. My room probably measures 1/2 of yours. You should have plenty of room for everything. Things I would consider would be a sink, bench to place your sump, a work table or bench to do tests or have work space and plenty of outlets. I would write out a plan and think where you want things before going ahead with the construction.

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This is my 4th saltwater tank and can honestly say that having the filter room in the basement was the best thing I ever did!!

 

[afishyonados]

Ventilate. Really. Install an exhaust fan or something to keep the humidity down. This may discourage the onset of (I am almost scared to type it) mold!

 

[smoknreefrs]

Thanks for the input guys.

Tom, what type of return pump are you using, how do you like the flow (is the a closed loop on your tank, or is your return the main source of flow), and how much head pressure are you pumping against....

 

[tom obrecht]

I'm using a Dolphin 4700. It works great but I wish I had done more research before setting the system up. If I had to do it over I would use a pump to get roughly 1000 gph up to the 12' of head to the main tank and then use a large circle loop on the main tank. Things work fine, but I feel I get too much flow thru my sump and thus sacrificing some skimming potential. I still use the flow from the Dolphin thru 3-3/4" Sea Swirls and it works well for my tank, but I do all softies. If I had SPS's I would have to revamp for the flow lower in the tank is not as high as the top of the tank.

 

[jharvey]

I have had a good experience 'reclaiming' the water from a humid tank room.

An airconditioning unit will condense the moisture out of the air in a very pure form, and it can go right back into the tank, or into storeage to use as top off water.

Even in a cold climate, the tank room will be warm and humid.

 

[smoknreefrs]

so tom, thinking back, is there anything else that you wish you should/shouldn't have done or is flow the only "problem"

 

[tom obrecht]

By doing a full plan helps alot. I ended up adding a refugium at a later date and had to add a couple of outlets. By setting a plan with perhaps upgrades down the road solves alot of hassles down the road. Overall at this time I think the flow is probably the main change I would have made.

 

[Hal]

I've done 2 basement fish rooms. Well, 1 is still in progress. Most important - drainpipe for old water, RO waste, etc. If it's not already in the floor, put one in that will run through the walls and at least dump your RO waste into it.

 

[tom obrecht]

I'd personally put in a sink rather than just a drain, if this is what Hal is refering to. No only will you have a place to dump water, make r/o water but also you have a place to clean equipment or soak pumps ect. Just my 2 cents.

 

[smoknreefrs]

all good ideas