Contemplating a basement sump

[davidpesce]

After months of lugging water up and down stairs to perform water changes, I'm beginning to like the idea of a basement sump. Especially now that I'm starting my second tank in the basement home theater room.

I've figured out an interior wall that I can have the outlet to the first floor, but need some advice/recommendations on a pump to use.

Details:
- 100gal+ rubbermaid trough
- 12-13 ft of height
- 5-6 90-degree angles

I have a friend who recommended the IWAKI MD 55RLT or even the IWAKI MD 70RLT. The 70 seems a bit overkill, especially with my 75g only having a 300gph overflow.

Thoughts, ideas and insights would be awesome!

 

[cardiffgiant]

I highly recommend it. I lugged buckets and did water changes out of my display for years. Doing it all in the basement and using pumps to do the heavy lifting has been awesome.

If you use 1.5" pvc and sweeps instead of elbows, the 70 will definitely be overkill. That's what I tried with mine. With that 300gph overflow, you would most likely have to dial a 55 back and/or divert some of the flow to a refugium or recirculating skimmer.

 

[low riderr]

do it. i love my sump room.i run a reefflow blackfin i ferget the gph but have it dialed way back.i built a very rugged bench and put everything on that.that way everything is at waist level.

 

[Wrench]

I've got a basement sump and love it. I use the Panworld 200PS. Great pump.

 

[Llamaguy]

Check out the head loss calculator on the front page. It doesn't seem to have all the newest versions of the pumps, but it will give you an idea of the size. The 55 was showing a 700+ flow with 12ft, five 90s.

 

[davidpesce]

In the process of buying parts for this. Recommendations on PVC size for the return line and the overflow?

Can I throttle the IWAKI MD 70RLT back using a ball/gate valve? It's $40 difference in price makes me want to just get the bigger one just in case I add another tank.

 

[iamwrasseman]

basement sumps are the bomb ! do it and do it with some good planning for sure as you can make "things "so simple or over complicate things too . KISS is the way to go IMO . yes you should certainly purchase a pump larger than you figure and throttle it back if necessary . i have done a few and for what ever reason you always get less flow than expected . keep your plumbing diameter size as large as possable for as long as possable for the most GPH . figure it out to be as straight as possable with your plumbing . build it so you can remove your pump and not have to remove water to do so . a couple of ball valves and unions will go a long way when the pump need servicing . i would do your best to stay away from "spaflex" type tubing as it just has so much resistance internally that you will need a monster pump just to get the water to move at all .last but not least ask lots of questions and do your homework so its nice ,neat and direct . good luck and have fun with it too .

 

[cardiffgiant]

In the process of buying parts for this. Recommendations on PVC size for the return line and the overflow?

Can I throttle the IWAKI MD 70RLT back using a ball/gate valve? It's $40 difference in price makes me want to just get the bigger one just in case I add another tank.

If you want a 70, I'll sell you my 5 month old blueline 70 for less than a new 55 would cost you. You can throttle back the 70, which is what I did. However, I had to throttle it back almost 50%. I switched to the 55 and now I make less noise and draw less current for the same flow.

 

[davidpesce]

If you want a 70, I'll sell you my 5 month old blueline 70 for less than a new 55 would cost you. You can throttle back the 70, which is what I did. However, I had to throttle it back almost 50%. I switched to the 55 and now I make less noise and draw less current for the same flow.

Thanks Ben, but I ended up grabbing AaronReefs 55's he had posted here in rochester.

 

[davidpesce]

Should I secure my return pump to something? Or is setting it on a rubber mat enough?

 

[cardiffgiant]

Good choice, I think you'll like the 55 more than the 70 for your system.

I had my 55 resting on a rubber mat for a while and it made a noticeable vibration in the house. I bolted it down (with the mat under it) last weekend and now it's dead silent.