sump question

[midwest reefer]

I am building a sump out of a plastic trash can just to house my heater and skimmer, and possibly an extra filter if it will fit. Anyways my question is will the heater melt the plasitc? any help would be appreciated

 

[plenumt]

Your really not gonna need a heater if your gonna be using a pump. the pump will heat the water slightly same with lighting (if u have any) as long as you keep it at a room temp u should be fine

 

[cordell]

might be kinda hard to hold the tank at a nice warm temp during the winter months like that.. and maybe the pump won't put off enough heat? I'd get a heater and put it in that sump anyways... I don't think the heaters get hot enough to melt plastic... better let somebody else chime in though, just to make sure.

 

[squidd]

Should not be a problem with the heater in the trash can...
I pre-mix/aerate/heat my saltwater like that all the time.

 

[jedininja]

The water around the heater will cool it down so you wont have a problem with it melting.
As for heating with just the pump, why on earth would you do that? There's no way of knowing if it will heat up enough and you have to rely on heating your entire house. Thats just way to risky. plus the pump shouldn't be big enough to heat up your water that much or you are using too big of a pump and ru the risk of overheating. A heater shuts off when it reaches the desired temp. Best way to go.

 

[koolaid]

I use 2 rubbermaid tubs for my mixing and have a heater in each. I have been doing this for over 6 months with no problems.

 

[midwest reefer]

thanks for the help. I will go on ahead and begin making my plastic sump... I didnt think the heater would melt it, but didnt want to end up with a hole in my sump and water everywhere