Basement tank lessons.

[Mike]

My reef hobby is coming from below grade to the first floor. I have had the 270 in the basement for better than 5 years and every so often there is always an issue. Due to other factors I decided to get something smaller and put in the kitchen. This way I would get to see it. I would save money on electricity and additives too. I ordered a rimless 125 from Aquarium Warehouse with a 36" tall stand to accomodate the Alpha 300 skimmer and make viewing easier.

In the basement the first issue is obvious. I could not see the tank as often as I would like too. This leads to things being missed. Because I did not get to see it often when I did sneak down I would be in there until my wife yelled for me to come back upstairs (at which time I would begrudgingly go). This lead to resentment and a host of other issues. Lesson one

Then there is mitigating the humidity. This entails running a fan 24/7 (I am suprised it has lasted 5 years) and that is a cost. The fan is not sounding dodgey and it may need replacing in the near future. The dehumidifier is another issue all together. So getting rid of the excess moisture while possible is an asdded cost. Lesson Two

We all know that a reef needs to be warm. Temp cpntrol was more of an issue with the halides and believe it or not a little harder to do in the summer than the winter. I also have 3-150 watt heaters that run in the sump. If the tank were on the first floor this issue would not exist!! Lesson Three

I will share some more later.. Right now I have to take care of the toddler and that is lesson four. When you have little ones it is easier to get things done when the tank is on the ssame floor as Barney.

[Wy Renegade]

ROFL; I relate. Only difference in my case is that the master bedroom is also in the basement . . .

[Rook]

Nice timing. Planning on adding a second tank, this one to be in the basement :D Of course, I don't hang out down there much right now other than to feed the dog or carry up the laundry.

[MizTanks]

[Mike]

I think it would be a bad idea Jeremy in the end. This is just from my experience with it. Maybe get something that will fit in upstairs somewhere so you can see it. Having it and not being able to see it will drive you up a wall.

[Reef Flyer]

This gives me something to think about...

I am currently planning an upgrade to a larger tank, that would actually be on the main floor, but with the sump/fuge and frag tank in the basement so I can do the messy work down there. The main idea was to make my wife happier by not messing up the family room every time I do a water change, instead doing this at the sump. But I could definitely see me spending a lot of time in the basement as a result.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing. Thanks for sharing your lessons learned, especially with the family side of things - there's no joy in keeping a great tank if it causes issues with the family.

By the way, I saw the video of your tank build from the Warehouse - it looks fantastic!

[Mike]

There are advantages to the whole basement sump thing but everything comes with a cost. The issues will be larger pressure rated pump to return the water. Temperature will likely be a concern at some point. If you are concerned about the floor I would get some plastic to lay (like cheap painters plastic) down to keep things ok. YOu could also buy one of those auto changers that are peristalic pumps and never touch the water .

[Rook]

I loved having a basement sump with a main floor display. Can't really do that at the new house.

Mike, I looking into a seahorse tank and the basement idea is to help keep the temp cooler. It gets too warm upstairs, I'd need a chiller.

[Mike]

That will work for that (temp control). I like the idea of being able to use a lot less electricity now too. No closed loops, halides, etc. I will still have the top off water down there pulled with a peri pump though.

[ReeferRob]

I also learned this lesson long ago when I had my 120. Just wasn't down there enough to keep it as nice as I wanted. Or was catching grief everytime I was down there. Tank suffered.....it came down.