Attic sump

[Bparrott]

So.... I have a thought and wanted to hear some opinions on the topic.
What would i go through putting a sump in the attic directly above my dt. The display is not a foot from the ceiling.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Reinforce attic for added weight.
Hiding plumbing, wires, probe wires, pump electrical wires etc would only be the other problem.

 

[mmw64]

Would heat be a problem?

 

[Bparrott]

Would heat be a problem?

I was thinking I could eliminate a tank heater and if it got too hot I could use the attic fans and fans on the water

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I have my whole tank and sump setup in garage in Oklahoma heat. I have a chiller 1.5hp. Temps reach 120-140f inside garage.
Tank remains solid 79.3-80.

 

[Bparrott]

Reinforce attic for added weight.
Hiding plumbing, wires, probe wires, pump electrical wires etc would only be the other problem.

So would neither tank being drilled be a problem? I was thinking of just pumping the water from the dt to the sump and use an hob overflow for the return

 

[WWIII]

So the display tank would be where the sump normally goes and the sump would be where the display tank normally goes? It could work I guess, but would take a little thought. The overflow would be on the sump and the ato on the tank? Hmmm

 

[Bparrott]

So the display tank would be where the sump normally goes and the sump would be where the display tank normally goes? It could work I guess, but would take a little thought. The overflow would be on the sump and the ato on the tank? Hmmm

Correct. Sump would be above display. Don’t have anywhere to find the sump except attic. I know turnover through the sump is going to absolutely suck unless I have a huge pump in the display. But in theory if I run an overflow from the sump it would just flow into the display and I can regulate the return pump into the attic to match flow.

 

[WWIII]

The one issue would possibly be the water level in the display. If the power goes out whatever water in the sump will flow down to the display until the siphon is broken. I guess you could use check valves, but could get a little sketchy if it were to fail. Also most of the crap gets skimmed off the display tank surface and settles in the sump, which would be your display, so you would need some really good powerheads flowing in the display to keep it the detritus and what not from settling.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

My personal opinion is this setup would be problematic on many levels. Dosing medication probes all kinds of stuff that we do with our sumps but still possible just lot of running around between Attic and the tank

 

[Bparrott]

My personal opinion is this setup would be problematic on many levels. Dosing medication probes all kinds of stuff that we do with our sumps but still possible just Lara running around between Attic and the tank

It’s a fowlr tank and the sump will be used mainly for mechanical filtration

 

[ZoWhat]

+1
heat issues during Summer.
freezing during Winter.

Attics can reach temperatures of 150 to 160 degrees F during a summer day, although outside air temperatures are only 95 to 97 degrees F. Attics can be as much as +/- 30 to 60 degrees F different than the room below them depending on the Season

 

[Bparrott]

The one issue would possibly be the water level in the display. If the power goes out whatever water in the sump will flow down to the display until the siphon is broken. I guess you could use check valves, but could get a little sketchy if it were to fail. Also most of the crap gets skimmed off the display tank surface and settles in the sump, which would be your display, so you would need some really good powerheads flowing in the display to keep it the detritus and what not from settling.

It being a fish only tank I can afford a lot of flow inside the tank. The sump will mainly contain a fuge and skimmer. So if I keep the overflow high I up in the water level and the display a few inches from the top I should be okay that’ll have to be worked out during setup I guess. Maybe I could put a gyre in the sump to keep up turbulence.

 

[theMeat]

Couple of obstacles...

- for best results you want display tank feeding sump via surface skimming

- your attic likely experiences more hot and more cold

- the pump supplying the sump would have to be bigger

- water falling back from sump is gravity fed so will have air bubbles that will then be in your display

 

[Bparrott]

Couple of obstacles...

- for best results you want display tank feeding sump via surface skimming

- your attic likely experiences more hot and more cold

- the pump supplying the sump would have to be bigger

I’m not too entirely concerned about surface skimming, I can regulate the attic temp..... to a degree. Not as much as the rest of the house.. and I’m looking at just enough flow to keep a slimmer supplied.

 

[theMeat]

In your display the proteins float to the top, and that is why saltwater tanks surface skim.
I’m all about thinking outside the box. Love it. But sump in the attic imo is not making things better or easier

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

So.... I have a thought and wanted to hear some opinions on the topic.
What would i go through putting a sump in the attic directly above my dt. The display is not a foot from the ceiling.

If my design, first a large pan, to hold refugium/tank, in case of any leaks. Two, a sensor to shut power on pan, if it leak in pan.. GFI outlets or gfi strip outlet . Just talking

 

[gcrawford]

I wouldn't....sounds like a major headache and asking for trouble. Maybe an adjoining room so you can just walk around and do your maintenance and checks? Also, climbing into the attic to empty a skimmer cup daily seems a bit cumbersome.

 

[Radman73]

Do you want water flooding from your attic if the HOB overflow loses its siphon for any reason? At the very least, I'd drill the "sump" in the attic. Jomama's idea has merit as well.

None of the obstacles are incapable of being overcome with enough ingenuity and money. Heating and cooling may be more difficult than you imagine. A generator to run whatever cooling method you choose is a must.