Keeping Sump/Fuge in garage

oakasfan · 03-05-2008, 04:13 PM

Hey everyone. Thanks for the recent advice on modifying the tank in my previous posts. More questions will definitely be forthcoming, and as always, thanks again in advance

Some pre-question info - The location I would like to place the tank in the house is up against the wall where the garage is on the other side. I am wondering about piping all the overflow/return out through the wall and into the garage where I would keep the sump/fuge and excess mess that always accompanies salt tanks.

Tank specs - 180gal. Sump size - 40-55 gal (if everyone thinks this is appropriate) - I have one that I may use however I may purchase a used acrylic and partition it myself.

I don't yet have the info on pumps, skimmer, UV, chiller, etc. I will be picking these up soon from a friend and can't yet get the info.

Question - What are the pros/cons or consequences of keeping the sump/fuge in the garage?

I live in southern California where summer temps can reach 110 during the day but drop to 60-70 at night. Winter temps are 60 during the day and 30-40 at night. The garage doesn't quite get to the extremes... but I dont know the specific range of temps inside it either.

Let me know if this is feasable or am I opening up a can of worms in considering it.

Thanks

aquaboy · 03-05-2008, 04:17 PM

I would worry about temp change.

Godbert · 03-05-2008, 04:32 PM

i would worry about temp and critters getting into it, also possibly some sorts of mold or plaster, really depends on the garage and what you got going in there, also do you have an easy way to get water into the garage? because if not your going to be hauling alot of water

Marty · 03-05-2008, 04:39 PM

I wonder if an insulated cabinet could be installed over it that you could pull away to access the fuge/sump equipment. Or build a box with a lid to hold the garaged portion but use venting between the box and house to share ambient air with the inside of the house. Either way it's probably more expensive than helpful. lol

lunatik_69 · 03-05-2008, 04:54 PM

My concern wouldnt be temp, that can always be fixed with heaters and chillers. My main concern is Carbon monixide, chemicals, Kids playing inside garage, no fresh air.

oakasfan · 03-06-2008, 01:04 AM

I thought about heat gain/loss and figured I would still keep it in some sort of cabinet. I could line the cabinet with polystyrene fairly cheaply to insulate as well as keeping critters out. It is a finished garaged, completely drywalled and painted.... rarely is there a car in there and no kids.

Side door stays open all the time to allow the damn cat in/out so ventilation isn't poor.

Still toying with the idea but if everyone is in agreement that this is a poor idea I will dump it and deal with the under-the-stand business. I was so excited to think of running that crap through the wall.... endless space in the garage for easy maintenance, less water mess and salt mess in the house, not spending time on my knees with my head stuck under the tank... etc, etc, etc.....

Oh well... a bad idea is better than no idea.... at least it says I am thinking.

lunatik_69 · 03-06-2008, 06:51 AM

Please dont get me wrong, if you have all the corners figured out, by all means do it. I love the idea, hell, I wish I had a garage to put all that stuff. Keep us posted and of course, with pics

. Luna

oakasfan · 03-06-2008, 09:44 AM

No, I didn't take it that way.

I thought about it quite a bit. But I am the first to admit that I am new at this.... er, maybe reborn into the hobby after a prolonged absence. So, with my limited knowledge I may not even think of the things that would be wrong with the idea....

I encourage you to keep coming up with reasons NOT to put the fuge in the garage.... If I can work out solutions to them I still may do it. If I cant... I will dump the idea.

Thanks

Otty · 03-06-2008, 09:53 AM

If your garage is has climate control then I think it would be ok but water soaks up surrounding heat quick so you will need a chiller if you don't.

Marty · 03-06-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oakasfan

No, I didn't take it that way.

I thought about it quite a bit. But I am the first to admit that I am new at this.... er, maybe reborn into the hobby after a prolonged absence. So, with my limited knowledge I may not even think of the things that would be wrong with the idea....

I encourage you to keep coming up with reasons NOT to put the fuge in the garage.... If I can work out solutions to them I still may do it. If I cant... I will dump the idea.

Thanks

I think that since you have a finished garage half the battle is already won. And since you keep the door between the garage and house open the ambient temperature may be fairly stable. It might be handy to keep a thermometer on the wall in the garage for a while so you can monitor the swings and jot down some notes. Granted it isn't the warm season yet, but a good 6 months of readings may give you the ammo you need to make equipment decisions (i.e. chillers/heaters/fans/insulated cabinetry in fuge/sump).