I will never have a sump under the tank again.

[Dave VG]

My sump setup is to the side of my tank and completely open. As I was doing a water change yesterday and thinking how easy it was I started thinking what a pain in the butt it was having the sump under the stand when I had the 90 up and running. Water changes were the biggest pain in the butt and I hated doing them and would often talk myself out of doing one because of the mess. I always seemed to spill water all over the place the wife would get mad etc etc. Then I started thinking about all the other hassles and doing even the simple things like empting the skimmer cup, keeping it cool in the summer and keeping track of all the cords etc. I see no advantages unless you have room constraints and cannot do a remote sump. When I set the 90 back up the sump will not be under it period.

 

[spinoleo]

mine is in the basement best move ever

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'm going back the other way. From a basement lab, to under the tank. But it's a large footprint and I'll have access to plumbing for drainage. Hopefully, I won't regret it. Definitely nervous about the decision......

It's really nice to be able to splersh and splash around without concern for carpet, hardwoods, etc.

 

[Trademark]

I think that a sump is the best, Splashing water and spilling it can be avoided. Leave the bucket next to the sump and drop a small power head in there to pump it in. You might have to play withthe pump a little to the main tank. SUper simple and no splash. We all make things a little harder than what they have to be sometimes. At times we just need a different look at things from others to smooth things out.

Thats one of the best things about RC is all the good help on here

 

[sean obergfell]

For my next project the sump will be in the basement....I cant wait....no more carrying buckets up and down stairs.....HUGE!

150 gallon set up and a 150 gallon Rubbermaid sump..............wa whooooooooooo

 

[Dave VG]

Cully: it was very cramped under my 90. I had a 40B under there.

Trademark: easier said than done. I tried every which way but still ended up with a mess lol.

 

[Kent E]

I discovered that God intended to have space heaters in stands rather than sumps.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

the older you get

the older you get

the more you appreciate a sump that's not under the stand

 

[cardiffgiant]

the more you appreciate a sump that's not under the stand

I'm 35 years young and I appreciate it immensely. Additionally, my hardwood floors appreciate having all water changes take place in the basement.

 

[terry4505]

I got a bucket max for christmas, makes sucking water out if the under tank sump a breeze. Changed 10 gallons in 5 mins this morning. It's a mini shop vac that fits over a bucket

 

[iamwrasseman]

my sump is in the basement and yes its so much easier but when they were under tha tank i never really had a tough time at doing water changes . just a different way for doing the same thing ?

 

[cardiffgiant]

The space under my display is real tight so - used to pour my new water up over the edge of the display. My basement sump is at waist heightm. Easy to pour into, but I mostly do water changes using pumps.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

my sump is in the basement and yes its so much easier but when they were under tha tank i never really had a tough time at doing water changes . just a different way for doing the same thing ?

it's the "different way for doing the same thing" that's night and day!

How the heck would I do a wet skim water change if my sump and skimmer were in my stand?

When my sump was in the stand I used to have to pump water from the display tank (or sump) across the living level of my house or (worse yet!) shlep buckets of water around. (Easily one of the worst things many associate with water changes.)

A sump in the basement means everything is done down there- mixing of new saltwater, removal of saltwater etc. all done with pumps. I never have to bend over to stick my head under the stand for a water change or tweak the skimmer.

Don't do it, Mark!

 

[Flippers4pups]

+1 on basement fish lab if you can. In my last house i put my sump in my basement. It allowed me to use a unused 55 gal as my sump! Made a fish lab down there!

 

[Dave VG]

The older you get the more you appreciate a sump that's not under the stand

Couldn't have said it better myself lol

 

[Capt_Cully]

I definitely appreciated the benefits. We're in a different phase of life these days. One little one, another on the way. I wont have the luxury of stealing away to the basement for an hour for a long time to come. Having it all in one room (family and tank) should ensure the health of all included.

 

[pascal32]

In the last two weeks I seem to have spilled as my fair share of water. good news is that everything is in the basement so no unhappy wife!

basement sump + 1