Should I cover my basement 150 gallon sump?

[sean obergfell]

I was wanting to help with heat loss and evaporating loss.
Should I cover the top of the sump?

 

[potterjon]

A few more details might help.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

in my mind, help with evap = increasing evap to allow more limewater additions.
This is not the thinking of most reefkeepers.
Obviously, covering the aquarium and/or sump will decrease evap and help retain warmth.
Now look at your home's humidity.
In wintertime we want to ADD moisture to our dry home.
In summertime it's the opposite.. you want to dry it out and keep it cool... usually accomplished with AC.

So it's probably best to have a removable cover for a sump.
Cover it when necessary.

And choose what's more important to you- keeping the home humidity at a comfortable level or retaining aquarium warmth.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Also keep in mind that when you put a cover on, you are reducing the gas exchange and potentially reducing the oxygen levels in the tank, greatly reducing the PH levels. Not good.

waffleman

 

[sean obergfell]

Thanks all

 

[Srixon]

when I had a basement sump I had it covered on all sides with 2" dow board and that all of it wasn't completly sealed ....so I could save some heat but my display was open top so I could get the gas exchange....just what I did though.

 

[block head]

The open drain will be fine for gas exchange . A removable cover is nice. Piece of plexiglass or whatever. Tweak it each season.

 

[andrew2010]

Sean.. insulate and cover your sump. I think I have a sheet of water resistant blue board foam you can have and you can use regular fiber insulation for the outside. ( I have shrink wrap to put over it). with your sea swirl and flow you have .. gas exchange shouldn't be an issue at all. FYI : I lose 15 gal+ during a winter week

 

[andrew2010]

Look at the evap as a "free" humidifier

 

[block head]

Look at the evap as a "free" humidifier

edit

 

[jeremyjoslin]

Look at the evap as a "free" humidifier

agreed.

Also, my skimmer juts out from the top of the sump so I can't cover mine effectively (rubbermaid 100g).

 

[tmz]

I keep mine open but suffer high humidity and rusty tools in the basement from the mist during the summer months. A dehumidifier and ehsuat fan helps. I've considered covering them to ensure against dust ,etc.but haven't felt a strong enough need yet; it's been 7 years of so.