View Full Version : Plastic Laundry sink for Sump????
illsquaddotcom
04/28/2010, 06:30 PM
I'm trying to plan out a new simplified sump set-up. My idea is to use one or two "Polypropylene Single Bowl Laundry Sinks" as my sump. I'll be cutting down the legs so they sit closer to the floor in my fish room. I'm hoping to make water changes and sump cleaning easier by using the bottom drain and inward slope to flush out detritus....
http://www.csnstores.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=SWN1673
I might also try heating the bottom of the sink with a heat gun or something while depressing the drain to increase the slope of the bottom, thus creating a more effective detritus trap for the entire system. Ideas?
My only real question is whether the Polypropylene will be safe....
Any thoughts or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
sabalough
04/28/2010, 07:40 PM
I use a series of 3 laundry tubs connected by the bottom drains as my sump. It works well. If I were to do it again, I would connect them with bulk heads and use the bottom drains as you describe.
NanoReefWanabe
04/28/2010, 08:10 PM
that is an awesome idea...those things are dirt cheap too..unfortunately nothing sticks to PP, so baffles would be very difficult to do...
b_s_c1
04/28/2010, 08:30 PM
The first thing I thought when I read your thread was easy water change. It sounds like a good idea.
Rybren
04/29/2010, 06:30 AM
A lot of people use these sinks as a surface skimmer chambers for their ponds without issue, so I would assume that they'd also be safe for use in an aquarium setting.
catfish52
04/29/2010, 06:39 AM
Hmm, been planning a DIY sump, never even thought about the laundry tub I've had sitting in the garage for two years collecting dust. Might finally have a use for it!!
spieg
04/29/2010, 07:15 AM
Wouldnt your skimmer go nuts every time you do laundry? :p
illsquaddotcom
04/29/2010, 08:14 AM
I'm planning on using a low suds detergent. Thanks for the replies everyone. So I guess its safe. Now I just need to get one and see if I can get anything to stick to it. I really wont need baffles with my plan, but I wanted to attach a probe and heater rack and a few things like that. Im gonna start with one, possibly adding one as a Fuge soon thereafter. i'll let everyone know how it goes this weekend...
Dustin1300
04/29/2010, 09:50 AM
Please provide pics afterwards:) Sounds like a great idea and cheap too....
spieg
04/29/2010, 10:10 AM
Just a thought, but when youre picking up the laundry sinks, look around them at lowes/home depot/etc. There are TONS of little hang on the side type stuff for them for holding soap, sponges, wash cloths, etc. Im sure you could modify something like that to hold probes, route wires, or whatever else you need.
Dustin1300
04/29/2010, 03:10 PM
I've always wondered this but the solvent you use on PVC melts the PVC pipes together.....Can you use this solvent or another to easily adhere to the sink so that it 'melts' with the plastic from the sink???? I'm not experienced with this but seems like it could potentially work.
mmm67
04/29/2010, 05:56 PM
It works I have seen it done, just make sue that it isnt a used one
NanoReefWanabe
04/29/2010, 09:24 PM
I'm planning on using a low suds detergent. Thanks for the replies everyone. So I guess its safe. Now I just need to get one and see if I can get anything to stick to it. I really wont need baffles with my plan, but I wanted to attach a probe and heater rack and a few things like that. Im gonna start with one, possibly adding one as a Fuge soon thereafter. i'll let everyone know how it goes this weekend...
just heat form some acrylic to hang on the side of the tub...you could do the same for floats too...
Spyder_78
04/30/2010, 08:53 AM
Now thats thinking outside the box. I think it would work great for the dirt trap and water changes. I would just give it a good scrubbing first (and after you heat it for the sloping) to get rid of any manufacturing oils.
illsquaddotcom
04/30/2010, 09:43 AM
Good ideas, I'll be picking one up today and checking out those accessories.
I'll try the solvent idea on the back and see if I can get some pvc to bond.
Pics to come after the weekend....
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