Insulating a sump?

[The Floodinator]

My sump/fuge system (4 tanks in all) is in the not so very heated basement. The heaters run constantly and I'm thinking about insulating the tanks. Anybody done this? Any thoughts or advise?

 

[Twz]

Wow, I wish i had this problem
Would be alot cheeper than trying to cool the tank in the summer...
Try putting that ridged foam insulated around it and if you dont have it already try putting a top on em.

 

[The Floodinator]

I thought about the foam sheets but I wonder if the spray on foam might work better?
And yes, it is nice in the summer!

 

[KyleO]

The spray foam is messy and will eventually come off. Is the sump sitting on the floor? If it is, getting it up off the floor will do wonders. If I were after insulating a sump (depending on size) I would go after the wall insulation (at HD and Lowes) that is basically foam board with foil tape sides. It is lite and can be cut easily to fit.

Hope that helps a little........

 

[poppin_fresh]

I have the same issue.

I wrapped my 100 gal stock tank in R11, but I dont think it would work well for glass. For my 20g refugium, I was thinking about using 1" blueboard cut to the size of the glass panes. Not sure how I'm going to secure it because it needs to be tight to the glass to work.

 

[McTeague]

There are two kinds of spray foam, water soluble and acetone soluble. I think the water soluble stuff which is white would work well. Be sure the surface is clean and dry before spraying it.

 

[dendro982]

I had seen a webpage somewhere - the guy had a tank near entrance. So the tank was covered everywhere, except the front glass and the top, by either styrofoam sheets or rigid insulation sheets. And the front glass was protected from children toys by acrylic or polycarbonate sheet.
Like the idea - my big tank is in the basement.

 

[RicGio]

you could also use a foam based sheet inulation called armaflex. It's very flexible and comes in different thickness. Also some sheets are available with a peel and stick glue on the back. Used in the HVAC industry.

WWW.mcmastercarr.com

McMaster carr 93265K44
Low Temp Polyethylene Foam Insulation 1/4" Thick, 36" X 48", Black
In stock at $7.26 Each

 

[The Floodinator]

Thanks for the info. After thinking about it over night I decided on the rigid foam sheets. That way in the summer, when I want the water to lose heat to the cool basement, I can remove them.
Still workin' on how to attach them. Who knows, maybe Duct tape.

 

[KyleO]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11493993#post11493993 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by The Floodinator

Still workin' on how to attach them. Who knows, maybe Duct tape.

Bungee cords!!! HD will cut to size.......