papaperch
Active member
Well boys I finally bit the bullet and out of dire necessity I have found several uses for my sump pump room.
I had the following needs
a. a warmer place to tie as my main tying place is unheated. Ohio's cold arse winters was taking too much out of me
b. a place that would not dip below freezing allowing me to raise european nightcrawlers and install a bait tank for keeping minnows year round. Bait shops around here mostly close for the fall and winter. Getting bait gets to be a big chore. Will also be able to keep wax worms in my new hobby hole.
c. House does not have basement but did have an underground housing for sump pump.
I knew from installing new sump pump that the room was in really sad shape. A rotted wood cabinet from room being flooded and just gads of other junk. Took me a week just to clean it all out. I then installed a thermometer and left access door open just to see how low temps would go. With door open it did dip to 41 but with door closed never fell below 52.
After ensuring my little creatures would never freeze to death. I painted the ceiling and the walls. Installed rubber mat flooring as water does creep into room. This took the old man awhile as work tires me out quick anymore. Anyway rewired the room for more outlets and lights and replaced all metal fixtures with plastic to eliminate rust concerns. Installed minnow tank and its filter and the aerator . Water stays crystal clear and cool. So minnows love it.
Finally installed a couple of shelves. One narrow one to store stuff that will be needed down there. The other for a small tying desk and a few tying supplies.
In summation the room is far from perfect as the height is barely six foot. While I was painting the ceiling my wool watch cap kept grazing the wet paint. It is a little on the small side 7' x 12'. But like I said it does solve a myriad of problems for me. Wished I would have thought of this a long time ago. Have to wait for warmer weather to get worms started as they don't like to ship in cold temps. Total investment was under 300. As I had most of material and the minnow tank and filter anyway.
Since house has no basement little room could be used as a tornado shelter in an emergency. Thought I would post info in case some fellow members have similar problems. Even the wife complimented me on making use of a wasted area of the house.
I had the following needs
a. a warmer place to tie as my main tying place is unheated. Ohio's cold arse winters was taking too much out of me
b. a place that would not dip below freezing allowing me to raise european nightcrawlers and install a bait tank for keeping minnows year round. Bait shops around here mostly close for the fall and winter. Getting bait gets to be a big chore. Will also be able to keep wax worms in my new hobby hole.
c. House does not have basement but did have an underground housing for sump pump.
I knew from installing new sump pump that the room was in really sad shape. A rotted wood cabinet from room being flooded and just gads of other junk. Took me a week just to clean it all out. I then installed a thermometer and left access door open just to see how low temps would go. With door open it did dip to 41 but with door closed never fell below 52.
After ensuring my little creatures would never freeze to death. I painted the ceiling and the walls. Installed rubber mat flooring as water does creep into room. This took the old man awhile as work tires me out quick anymore. Anyway rewired the room for more outlets and lights and replaced all metal fixtures with plastic to eliminate rust concerns. Installed minnow tank and its filter and the aerator . Water stays crystal clear and cool. So minnows love it.
Finally installed a couple of shelves. One narrow one to store stuff that will be needed down there. The other for a small tying desk and a few tying supplies.
In summation the room is far from perfect as the height is barely six foot. While I was painting the ceiling my wool watch cap kept grazing the wet paint. It is a little on the small side 7' x 12'. But like I said it does solve a myriad of problems for me. Wished I would have thought of this a long time ago. Have to wait for warmer weather to get worms started as they don't like to ship in cold temps. Total investment was under 300. As I had most of material and the minnow tank and filter anyway.
Since house has no basement little room could be used as a tornado shelter in an emergency. Thought I would post info in case some fellow members have similar problems. Even the wife complimented me on making use of a wasted area of the house.
I have a place within an hour where I can buy minnows by the pound. A big help when the minnow bite is on.