Running plumbing through a wall

[coachd]

I have ran into situation with my tank that will not allow me to place my sump/refuge underneath the stand(The 55 gal sump is to tall for the stand). So it looks like I will be putting my sump in a closet that is underneath my stairs. There are a few questions that I am wondering about.
For those that have done this is there anything that you learned that would be helpful to me?
Would you recommend me placing my closed cloop plumbing and pump into that closet as well or underneath the cabinet so that I do not have to have as many holes in my walls?
With the sump in the closet can I run enough fans on the sump to keep the water cool, if I run MH, without having fans in the canopy and/or without having to buy a chiller? Planning on 3 to 4 250 watt MH on a 84" long 24" inch tall tank.
Thank you for your help.

 

[lobstergrabber]

Don't have answers to all your questions but I did run pipes through the wall. I have my chiller, refugium(still setting up), and a mixing tank in a room with washer/dryer. With the chiller it heats up the room quite a bit. The biggest thing I noticed was that it made things much easier to get to. Working under my tank is no fun due to space limitations so life is much easier now. The only thing for you I would worry about is humidity in the closet. If you put fans on your sump in a small closet to try and cool the water it will encourage evaporation. If the closet was open the A/C would draw much of the moisture out of the air, but in the closet it might build to a level that could cauce mildew or other problems. Hope some of this helps and maybe gives you some ideas you had not thought of.
Rich

 

[bojik]

To above post: indeed. The humidy might even cause drywall swelling etc, Or pealing wallpaper/paint depending. And in some cases, i hear, incourage bugs to move in.

A vent + fan in the closet might help with the evaporation/humidity if you do this project. Not to mention a small dehumidifier (if they make them very small anymore).
Better be carefull of conduit, wires, etc in the walls. Be sure to check for that before you start drilling. Some stud finders also have those kind of features to save you a headache or two.
Hope that helps.

 

[coachd]

So a dehumidifier will help suck the moister from the air, which makes sense.
Would it be better to have no air flowing on my sump and just use fans in my canopy?
Sitting my tank up like this is really the only feasible option I have for this tank, so if anyone has other ideas please post them, or if there other corncerns that I need to look at.
Thank you for those that have reply, the issues you brought up was something I had not considered.

 

[xoxox]

I would suggest getting a chiller if you believe you'll have heat issues. That or you'll need a topoff system setup from an RO unit for evaporation due to the fans. Each system is a little different and they seem to have there own issues. You might have to worry about pump pressure if your moving water up, you'll have to consider GPH and head pressure.

 

[lobstergrabber]

The exhaust fan may work out well in the closet. Would not use a dehumidifier because they give off a ton of heat. If I were you I would be going chiller all the way. My previous setup was 55 gal with power compacts, ran 80-82 degrees(with fans) and I had to top off a gallon to a gallon and a half a day. Current setup is 125 with dual 250 hqi halides and dual 110 vho's, chiller set to 77 with 1 degree flux and I top off a gallon every 4-5 days. The benefits of the chiller far out weighed the minor cost to me. Made a huge difference in stability.
Rich