sump in basement? can't do that in Miami

[platax88]

I just moved up from Miami, and i am in the process of looking for a home. I went to an open house and saw a crawl basement for the first time in my life! I was suprised how cool it was even though it is 90 degrees out .

I am definately looking for a home which will allow a in-wall or remote sump scenario.

Does the basement remain a constant temp year-round or does it drop drastically in the winter? Anyone else using their basement for a sump/fish room?

 

[DMBillies]

As long as the top parts of a basement (anything above ground) are insulated and sealed off from the outside, basements generally stay a relatively constant cool temperature year round. When you saw crawl basement, I'm imagining that you are just talking about the space between the floor of the house and the ground created by the foundation of the house (i.e., the basement is not literally dug into the ground). I can't really speak for those but can't imagine you would want to keep a sump in one of those anyway Hope that helps.

 

[platax88]

Yes it was the space between the ground and the house... I could stand perfectly in it. It was not finished and dirt as the flooring

 

[loyalty]

pretty big crawlspace

 

[c_stowers]

Those crawl spaces that are unsealed on the bottom get pretty chilly in the winter. I worked in one last winter that had to of gotten down to near freezing. However, if your running halides and alot of pumps, I doubt it would be a problem to maintain a decent temp in the winter with heaters. It could definately help out in the summer if you don't have a chiller.

 

[platax88]

yeah thats what i figured... it dosent seem to be so deep in the ground where the ground would insulate it.

Thanks! hopefully ill find a place with a closet or something to allow for a fish room

 

[Mdwannabe]

FWIIW:

My sump has been in my 8 foot tall crawl space for 8 years now, yes I do run 1000 watts of heater in the winter, and a cooler in the summer, but keep in mind my tank parameters; 200 gallon with a 55 gallon fuge/sump.
My space has a dirt floor and no insulation on the cinder block walls. Temp. controller is set at 79 and stays within 1 degree of this year round.
JMTCW:

Rick

 

[Mobikob]

I've been considering plumbing my chiller to the crawl space. that way I dont have to hear it, or have it heat the house. getting to it would be a pain in the !@# though.

Mobi

 

[foggy54]

I have a 180 in my basement, and the heater runs quite a bit in the winter even with a wallmounted propane wallheater on low. In the summer the tank does fine even w/ 3 175mh and 2 140w vho's. A full basement finished or not has it's advantages.