Quote:
Originally Posted by christyf5
Outdoor sump?? Please elaborate, maybe with pics?  |
OK. The tank is a 90 gal corner with very little room under for a sump because of the triangular-shaped stand and dividers in the stand. Where the tank is leaves no access to an adjoining room. Under the tank in the basement is a large woodworking shop, so no place for a sump down there either. The tank is located against an outside wall to the sundeck. The sundeck is a split-level deck with 4 steps up to the upper deck. Between the steps and the house wall was enough room for the sump. I built a box with a lid and a door and insulated with 21/2" styrofoam. Painted the box the same colour as the house and it looks fine.
I have 2x300-watt heaters in the sump and have not had a temp problem at all. In fact the temp varies only about 1 degree from day to night. I love the sump outside for several reasons: spills or overflows? no worries, hose it off. No sump noise in the house. The door to the deck is only 10' from the D.T. so it's only 10 steps from the tank to the sump. Water changes are great. I just stir up the substrate in the DT and siphon right out the door to the deck, where it goes down the deck drain. This would all be easier to explain with pics, but the wife is out and she has the camera. I'll try to get some up later.