Fishroom input

[ahud]

The contractor and I are still talking about floor drains. The issue seems to be that the concrete needs to slope towards the 18' garage door so water will run out. But when we add drains, the floor needs to slope towards the individual drains. I'm going to talk to him a bit more and see if we can come up with a plan.

The site prep starts today. Evening and packing the pad.

 

[jjohnwm]

My regular water changes drain into a bin on the floor, from which they are pumped outside through a dedicated pipe that drains into a nearby field (mine). A bit awkward but no other choice.

A floor drain...in my case into a floor sump...is still worthwhile to catch leaks, spills, etc.

 

[ahud]

My regular water changes drain into a bin on the floor, from which they are pumped outside through a dedicated pipe that drains into a nearby field (mine). A bit awkward but no other choice.

A floor drain...in my case into a floor sump...is still worthwhile to catch leaks, spills, etc.

I may go this route if the floor drain continues to be a problem. I can't specify where the floor drain goes because they want it in the center of the room so that the whole room will slope towards that drain. So if the floor drain lands in an area that does not make sense, I won't be able to use it. But as you said, it will still be nice if I ever had a big spill or leak.


How does your drain pipe exit your room? Does it go through a wall or the foundation?

And when you say a bit awkward. Does it actually give you any trouble?

 

[fishdance]

That's silly. Just keep the floor flat. It's your floor. These aren't floor drains like a bathroom or shower pan, they are pipe penetrations.

If you are unsure, I would add the pipes as they are easy to cap off and hide if never used. But it's your fishroom so only you can decide what is best.

 

[jjohnwm]

I drilled a hole through the foundation wall above grade, immediately adjacent to the drain from my storm water sump. The two pipes are joined together right outside the wall with a Y fitting, which feeds them both into a buried Big O pipe that goes into the
field.

It's awkward only because the drain tub in the basement takes up floor space, and of course the sump pump in it requires power and depends on a float switch to keep the system operating without constant supervision. In winter the outside lines freeze solid and I need a dedicated line with enough slope to it to ensure it drains quickly without freezing. Mostly weather-related problems; the system works fine.

 

[ahud]

That's silly. Just keep the floor flat. It's your floor. These aren't floor drains like a bathroom or shower pan, they are pipe penetrations.

If you are unsure, I would add the pipes as they are easy to cap off and hide if never used. But it's your fishroom so only you can decide what is best.

Yeah, I don't understand why its a big deal either. I can see the garage portion of the building because of heavy rain, wet vehicles etc, you would want that to run out. I guess I need to hammer home the point I just need the drain hole. He had no idea what I was talking about when I tried to explain draining fish tanks haha.

 

[ahud]

I drilled a hole through the foundation wall above grade, immediately adjacent to the drain from my storm water sump. The two pipes are joined together right outside the wall with a Y fitting, which feeds them both into a buried Big O pipe that goes into the
field.

It's awkward only because the drain tub in the basement takes up floor space, and of course the sump pump in it requires power and depends on a float switch to keep the system operating without constant supervision. In winter the outside lines freeze solid and I need a dedicated line with enough slope to it to ensure it drains quickly without freezing. Mostly weather-related problems; the system works fine.

That does not sound too bad. We don't get freezing weather very often.

 

[ahud]

One more question. Is there a general rule of thumb for what ambient room temp will keep the tanks at a certain temp? I plan to cover the tanks to reduce evaporation and the cooling effect that comes from that.