Worried need some help???

[big]

OK all, the first real issue I have had with my basement sump-fuge since building it in the summer. It was great then at helping to hold higher tank temperatures in check back then.

Well now the issue is temperatures dropping too low. Last night a GFI kicked out during the night and when I checked the tank first thing this morning it was 75.0. Real bad wind had the power going on and off.

It had been almost 79 at bedtime last night. So I worked at slowly bringing it back up to almost 78 by late this evening. Other than my heaters are working overtime to keep the much cooler basement contraption warmer. What else should I think about if the GFI's kick off on much one of the colder days ahead???? I am afraid of on a really cold night, if it happens again, it may be a fatal issue for tank inhabitants.
What kind or alarm or safeguard is reasonable in cost, installation and effectiveness???? Tanks all... Warren

 

[jrthomas40]

well maybe try putting an electric space heater down there...they are safer to run over night now that they have the overheat switches that shut it off automatically or maybe an in line heater plus one in the tank....umm not sure how to fix it if the power trips...with the space heater though it should come back on

 

[rcoultas]

Hey big - how ya doin?
You may want to consider replacing the gfci with "arc fault" circuit breakers - they perform basically the same task but are not as sensitive to spikes and surges. You would put standard receptacles in place of GFCI and replace the circuit breaker instead. They typically cost about $20 ea. depending on panel type. As a secondary I would winter wrap the sump (like a water heater blanket) and as the 3rd line run a small electric space heater near it. HTH