sump and tank on seperate floors

I am thinking of putting everything for my 90g directly underneath in the basement. Has anyone done this and how has it worked for you? Does your temp. seem to be more stable? The sump/refugium I want plus the skimmer are just to much in the cabinet. Do you find it a headache to have to go downstairs for everything? Would you do that set-up again or just make everything fit your cabinet?


My head hurts, my heart is racing, when am I going to be done?

 

Making a sump room. That's a great idea. DO it. You won't regret it. Tons of advantages - more volume, less noise near tank, you can hide all the hardware - more room for hardware, refugiums, etc..


Most recently fletch did one:

fletch sump room

Last year, seawillow built a nice one:

http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/update-fish-room-30621.html

 

Ya The benifits are great. I have a friend that was able to do a basement sump with his 180 and it is amaging. The main tank is very quiet and there is little mess. Everything is done in the sump room. Like water changes and doseing.

Wish I could have done it that way

J

 

Best Idea ever... I am in FL no basements but I do have everything in the closet behind the tank. Super quiet.... The only thing under the tank is the ballast to the lighting.

 

Should I DIY something to take the water to the basement with a pump so I can match the return easier or will two overflows do the job? Thanks for the links Matt Rogers. Jason McKenzie, you said your freind does water changes downstairs also. I was thinking if I can do that if I use jets to blow everything in the main tank real good or would that be to much on the skimmer but I guess I should turn it off first (?)

 

Blade_Runner has one in his basement also...

http://www.3reef.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1151/cat/500/ppuser/8666

Jim

 

Jim,

Thanks for posting the link.

Yep I have my 300 and the 90 running into the same sump. Since the basement isn't finished I don't have a separate room. That gives me lots of room to work, but can raise the humidity in the basement. I needed to add a dehumidifier. Generally I love it. Water changes are a snap, all I do is turn off the return pump and turn 2 ball valves. Dosing and cleaning the skimmer are very easy too.

IMO it's a little extra work to set up, but well worth it over the long haul. Plus I'm finally getting around to using the propogation section.

 

Have you guys with the sumps in the basement had any problems with the head pressure? The pumps from down below have to pump that water all the way upstairs, do you just buy larger pumps? Do they wear out faster?

 

Not only do I have my sump in the basement, but it's probably a good 60 feet at least of PVC pipe running one way. I live in a split level and the plumbing passes through two levels pretty much.

Personally I love it. It gives me room for a huge sump. It's silent. I have most of the equipment down there except for lighting. Lots of room to move around. And a place to run to when you wanna get away from the family chaos in the rooms above.

 

I am taking pictures as I take over the basement. When I am finished I will try to post them. I am trying (with everything I got) to convense my husband that since I am doing this that I should go ahead and get a bigger main tank. Hey, Christmas is just around the corner he said. I said I can't wait that long. Then he looked at me like I was one of our children.