Using a Pond Liner to build a Wet/Dry Sump

[Bud8Fan]

Will a 20 mil liner do the job or is it worth the extra cash to get the 45 mil?

I'm kicking around the idea of a 100 - 200 gallon sump made out of lumber and plywood to build the box then line it with a liner.

The reason I ask is that it is a big price jump from the 20 mil to the 45 mil.

 

[Wolf3101]

The thinner liner would work fine but if your going to build a sump out of wood then make sure that you seal it REALLY well. I would think that it would also make building dividers and sections difficult.

 

[Jkoziatek]

do it as an overflow... wooden bows... one leading into the next

 

[Bud8Fan]

There will be no dividers, the box will serve to hold water only. I do not plan on sealing the wood, that is what the liner is for. If you think the 20 mil will leak then I will spend the extra cash for the 45 mil.

do it as an overflow... wooden bows... one leading into the next

Huh?

 

[Nic]

20 mil will be fine if you put anything in the sump just make sure to take notice to points edges etc.... and you will be fine

 

[fshfanatic]

It it was me, I would forget the liner and just use fiberglass resin to sealer up. Not only will it make it 100% water proof it will strengthen the box as well. But that is me.

 

[Bud8Fan]

I did a quick google on the resin and it is 20 bucks a quart and needs to be used with fiberglass cloth. How far will a quart go?

I don't know crap about fiberglass. A searching I go

I can get a 20 mill 10' x 15' liner pretty cheap on eBay and make a pretty decent sized sump. The box would be framed like a wall with the plywood on the inside. The beauty of framing it like a wall is you can buy a roll of insulation and insulate the sump.

 

[Wolf3101]

not sealing the wood is asking for trouble...even if the liner dosnt leak the wood is still exposed to a great deal of moisture and spllls. stands and hoods need sealed so why wouldnt a wooden sump need sealed?

 

[Bud8Fan]

The sump will be in a filter room not underneath the tank. There will be plenty of air flow around the sump. Moisture should not be an issue.

But I do have some treated lumber left over from a deck that I could use for insurance I guess.