Garage Sumps???

[Semper.Reefing]

So I’ve got an Aqueon 210 and have convinced my wife to let me put it in the office-which is back up to the garage- and is letting me plumb it through the wall. My garage is insulated and the doors face north so they don’t get full sun all day, just the morning. I live in South Carolina and we do get some hot humid summers. The winters don’t get too cold, maybe only once or twice a winter do we get a freeze.

Anyways! I like the idea of having my filtration in the garage. I’ve just set up a mixing station with two 50-60g pickle barrels. The idea of setting a big tank like this with automatic water changes is exciting. I’m trying to make it easier on myself in the long run.

I took extra precautions by ordering a grow tent for plants on Amazon. It’s also got a filter inside that will help regulate the warm humid temperature inside and even has a carbon block so I’m not exhausting sump smell into the garage. It’s a peace of mind for me knowing I have some protection from the garage. I hope to one day run a lowboy in it and grow some frags out.

Has anyone done this? Am I overthinking it? If anyone is interested, I’ll make a build thread for this 210 and let you know how it works. Thanks!

Please share your garage sumps for some inspiration! I’m getting a Bashsea Pro 48.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Mixing station.

 

[cilyjr]

Lots of people do it around here. I live in the central coast of California. They even do it with uninsulated garages , though I don't recommend that. We are USDA hardiness zone 10.
I've never seen anyone use one of those tents. I imagine it will just be a pain to get to and work on the equipment.

I don't know how cold it gets there. It may cost you more money running large heaters to keep the water to temp.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Lots of people do it around here. I live in the central coast of California. They even do it with uninsulated garages , though I don't recommend that. We are USDA hardiness zone 10.
I've never seen anyone use one of those tents. I imagine it will just be a pain to get to and work on the equipment.

I don't know how cold it gets there. It may cost you more money running large heaters to keep the water to temp.

Good to hear it works for others. We’re zone 8b. But our winter weather barely hits a freeze. I guess we will find out though!
I haven’t either but I have a plan in mind with how I’ll be setting it up. I’m going to have stands somewhat low in height and see what I could turn this thing into!

 

[ryanjohn1]

Cool idea

 

[cilyjr]

Good to hear it works for others. We’re zone 8b. But our winter weather barely hits a freeze. I guess we will find out though!
I haven’t either but I have a plan in mind with how I’ll be setting it up. I’m going to have stands somewhat low in height and see what I could turn this thing into!

I've actually built an entire shed on the outside of my house to store all of my equipment.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Sump finally came in! The Bashsea 48 Pro. I picked up some lumber and making this dream happen! Plumbing comes in the mail tomorrow.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

The air filter has also been moved to the right side of the tent as you walk in for more height above the bench.

 

[doubleshot00]

Idkw but i think this is a bad idea but also a GREAT idea at the same time.

I'm right up the road from ya in NC and have been pondering doing this same exact thing. IM IN!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

So I’ve got an Aqueon 210 and have convinced my wife to let me put it in the office-which is back up to the garage- and is letting me plumb it through the wall. My garage is insulated and the doors face north so they don’t get full sun all day, just the morning. I live in South Carolina and we do get some hot humid summers. The winters don’t get too cold, maybe only once or twice a winter do we get a freeze.

Anyways! I like the idea of having my filtration in the garage. I’ve just set up a mixing station with two 50-60g pickle barrels. The idea of setting a big tank like this with automatic water changes is exciting. I’m trying to make it easier on myself in the long run.

I took extra precautions by ordering a grow tent for plants on Amazon. It’s also got a filter inside that will help regulate the warm humid temperature inside and even has a carbon block so I’m not exhausting sump smell into the garage. It’s a peace of mind for me knowing I have some protection from the garage. I hope to one day run a lowboy in it and grow some frags out.

Has anyone done this? Am I overthinking it? If anyone is interested, I’ll make a build thread for this 210 and let you know how it works. Thanks!

Please share your garage sumps for some inspiration! I’m getting a Bashsea Pro 48.

I like the idea of using a tent to regulate the precipitation and temperature in your garage and it'll keep people from accidentally touching something

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Idkw but i think this is a bad idea but also a GREAT idea at the same time.

I'm right up the road from ya in NC and have been pondering doing this same exact thing. IM IN!

Haha I haven’t seen it done here in the south east so I figure I’ll be the lab rat. My only concern is the summer heat. Thankfully my garage doors face north so they aren’t blasted by the sun all day. I’m going to insulate the doors and if I have to run a mini split in the garage- which will also be nice when I exercise in there in the summer.

Follow along I’ll keep updating as it gets warmer!

 

[Semper.Reefing]

I like the idea of using a tent to regulate the precipitation and temperature in your garage and it'll keep people from accidentally touching something

The big thing with the tent is to keep my kids from going under the fish tank and messing with things. Also, it’ll keep it somewhat protected in the garage from bugs, dust, etc.

 

[doubleshot00]

Haha I haven’t seen it done here in the south east so I figure I’ll be the lab rat. My only concern is the summer heat. Thankfully my garage doors face north so they aren’t blasted by the sun all day. I’m going to insulate the doors and if I have to run a mini split in the garage- which will also be nice when I exercise in there in the summer.

Follow along I’ll keep updating as it gets warmer!

Mini split is my answer. We also have a gym in our garage to so may be a win win.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Do notice a noticeable difference in your electric bill from running that mini split in the summer?

 

[Semper.Reefing]

I had some extra flooring material leftover from and made a little raised platform. Things are taking shape!

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Considering just running one of these in the tent. Something slightly overpowered that can keep this small tent cooled down with ease. I will also insulate the garage doors. I could actually fit this inside the tent next to the brute trash can. I’d like to see if this works before spending a few thousand on a mini split.

 

[TX_REEF]

The tent for the sump is a great idea, should help with temperature insultation and prevention of environmental contaminants (garage dust, car exhaust, etc...)

 

[Semper.Reefing]

The tent for the sump is a great idea, should help with temperature insultation and prevention of environmental contaminants (garage dust, car exhaust, etc...)

Thanks! Loving it so far. Took me hours to get everything tuned in and quiet with the drains but so far so good. The tents fan and app make it super easy to control humidity inside as well. This portable unit also works as a dehumidifier.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

The VIVOSUN app is pretty neat and easy to control. You can even buy a light as an accessory to the tent- which is intended for plant growth but I’m curious to see if I can run it as a refugium light and control through this app

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Here’s where we are with everything. Pretty happy with how it turned out. It’ll evolve over time. Might just squeeze a little stand alone AC which will fit perfect under the stand. Won’t have too run much given the small enclosed size of the tent. At least I hope..