Best material to build fish filter closet?

[pledosophy]

I am looking to build a closet in my garage, and move my sump from my 180 into the garage. I plan to fully insulate the cabinet and put in an exhaust fan. The cabinet will be about 6'x30"x5'.

What is the best material to make it out of, and best way to finish sed material so it will be able to withstand the exposure to moisture, and be easy to clean.

I was thinking of just doing painted plywood with a coat of marine paint, but thought there might be a smarter way.

Thanks!

 

[BryanM]

I am looking to build a closet in my garage, and move my sump from my 180 into the garage. I plan to fully insulate the cabinet and put in an exhaust fan. The cabinet will be about 6'x30"x5'.

What is the best material to make it out of, and best way to finish sed material so it will be able to withstand the exposure to moisture, and be easy to clean.

I was thinking of just doing painted plywood with a coat of marine paint, but thought there might be a smarter way.

Thanks!

I don't see any issue with this plan.

 

[P-Dub]

I am looking to build a closet in my garage, and move my sump from my 180 into the garage. I plan to fully insulate the cabinet and put in an exhaust fan. The cabinet will be about 6'x30"x5'.

What is the best material to make it out of, and best way to finish sed material so it will be able to withstand the exposure to moisture, and be easy to clean.

I was thinking of just doing painted plywood with a coat of marine paint, but thought there might be a smarter way.

Thanks!

That’s definitely a viable option for housing your sump and plumbing components in a closet build-out. For durability and moisture resistance, marine-grade plywood is a solid choice—it’s built to withstand high-humidity environments. Just keep in mind that marine coatings (like epoxies and linear polyurethanes) typically contain high VOCs, so they’ll need ample time to off-gas before the space is safe for use.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to marine ply, and costly marine coatings consider:

Cement board (e.g., HardieBacker): Excellent moisture resistance and mold resistance.
Greenboard drywall: Commonly used in residential bathrooms due to its moisture-resistant properties.
If you go with Greenboard, be sure to:

Prime it with a PVA drywall primer.
Finish with a high-quality, water-based exterior gloss paint for added protection.

This setup should give you a moisture-resilient enclosure without breaking the bank. Be certain to ventilate the area to mitigate humidity, mop up standing water, and raise the greenboard at least 3/4 of an inch off the floor when installing. Using pressure-treated lumber for framing out the sill plate is a good idea, too.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

That’s definitely a viable option for housing your sump and plumbing components in a closet build-out. For durability and moisture resistance, marine-grade plywood is a solid choice—it’s built to withstand high-humidity environments. Just keep in mind that marine coatings (like epoxies and linear polyurethanes) typically contain high VOCs, so they’ll need ample time to off-gas before the space is safe for use.
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to marine ply, and costly marine coatings consider:

Cement board (e.g., HardieBacker): Excellent moisture resistance and mold resistance.
Greenboard drywall: Commonly used in residential bathrooms due to its moisture-resistant properties.
If you go with Greenboard, be sure to:

Prime it with a PVA drywall primer.
Finish with a high-quality, water-based exterior gloss paint for added protection.

This setup should give you a moisture-resilient enclosure without breaking the bank. Be certain to ventilate the area to mitigate humidity, mop up standing water, and raise the greenboard at least 3/4 of an inch off the floor when installing. Using pressure-treated lumber for framing out the sill plate is a good idea, too.

How long does marine paint need to off gas? Asking for a friend...

 

[mmorrison55]

In some videos I’ve seen, people have used FRP panels to cover the walls. You can basically hose them down.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Buildin...R8LyE7ON_id069NMLWpSkpQtjKuXf4pMaAmBzEALw_wcB

 

[FUNGI]

Home Depot 1/16 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Plastic Panel​

$25.98
Over your plywood or drywall panels.....would really only need for the inside

 

[P-Dub]

How long does marine paint need to off gas? Asking for a friend...

That really depends on what product. There are myriad choices of marine-grade coatings with varying levels of toxicity or VOCs. If you can let me know what coating they are considering and for what application, I might have a better idea.
In general, low-VOC marine coatings that are water-based (Not as durable in many cases or depending on requirements) may require 1-3 days for adequate off-gassing, and high-VOC coatings like epoxies may take 5-7 days, or LPs may take up to two weeks.
Regardless, these times are general, and it is important to read the MSDS or the manufacturer’s label for specific curing and ventilation recommendations for each product your friend intends to use.