Insulating sump

[Raul-7]

My sump is a 125G in the garage where it is really cold; it's cooler than the rest of the house throughout the year.

I bought some insulation board; can I place this under the sump to prevent heat loss from the bottom or is too risky? Will it compress and cause the glass to crack?

 

[zachts]

Some do, but I would not. Insulate the bottom side of the stand that the tank sits on instead.

 

[skeeter_ca]

I don't think that's what he is asking.

Insulation board under the sump might not be a good idea because yes it might crush in a not so uniform manner and cause the sump to not be level. I would recommend placing it on some wood that has been sealed really well. Then insulate the sides of the sump with the insulation. If the sides are not flat then try the spray on foam stuff the insulate the sides.

skeeter

 

[Raul-7]

Actually the sump is not directly on the floor, it sits in a steel wire-rack. I can put insulation at the bottom of the rack underneath the aquarium to prevent heat loss.

 

[skeeter_ca]

Ok i'm a little confused(not unusual). Is your sump in the basement and your aquarium upstairs? Or are they both in the basement.

Either way you could benefit from insulating the bottom and the sides of the sump. If the aquarium is in the basement too then you could insulate the bottom and back of it also.

skeeter

 

[Raul-7]

Yes, it's a breeding rack. 8 tanks plumbed into the 125G sump.

 

[skeeter_ca]

ahhhh....... insulate it as best as you can on all sides.

skeeter