To baffle or not to baffle?

Delphinus · #1 10-22-2010, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Hmm, my skimmer would introduce bubbles, hadn't thought of that..oops

Plus, I'm using a 75g that will have the brace removed, so I guess baffles would lend some strength as well...

I've got a Herbie on the big tank and baffles and that was the rationalization I gave myself for doing so. I did go with fewer baffles in v2 after the walls got cracked and I'm happy with that decision.

My 40g tank uses a 10g sump without baffles and it's just a straight standpipe open at the top and the BM100 skimmer I use dumps bubbles like crazy. And yet no microbubbles in the tank - the turnover is just right apparently.

My 115g tank has a 28" sump and dual overflows (kinda silly on a 30" tank, but it is what it is) and baffles AND a filter sock can't completely eliminate microbubbles. I hate having baffles down there, it is one tight sump to work any equipment into.

How long will your new sump be, and what kind of volume do you think will be travelling through it?

Aquattro · #2 10-22-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

How long will your new sump be, and what kind of volume do you think will be travelling through it?

Tony, it's a 75g, 4' x 18" footprint. I expect I'll push 1000gph max through it. I'm using 1" pipe for my herbie, so no crazy flow.

globaldesigns · #3 10-22-2010, 06:44 PM

I guess it would be determined by your design. My sump has to baffled areas and they work for me.

Benefits as others stated:
- fewer to no bubbles in DT
- if leak happens, it may limit damage to outside of tank by compartmentalization (Wow big word, probably spelled wrong)

If the above doesn't come into play for you, then I think you could free up space for other things, like all those nifty gadgets we all want.

Phanman · #4 10-22-2010, 07:10 PM

Id put one baffle in the sump and have a valve on it so you can control the water level in one compartment for the skimmer. I think this works better then building a stand for your skimmer.

Aquattro · #5 10-22-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanman

Id put one baffle in the sump and have a valve on it so you can control the water level in one compartment for the skimmer. I think this works better then building a stand for your skimmer.

In hindsite, that would have been a good idea for my current sump, as I had to lift the skimmer about 6 inches. The new setup should work with the skimmer sitting flat in the sump, as I need to keep height down.

shrimpchips · #6 10-22-2010, 07:45 PM

I have baffles in simply to allow for different water levels within the sump - it was the only way I was going to have 10"+ of water for my skimmer to sit in, but still retain enough empty volume in the sump to allow for the drainage from the DT when power goes out or the return pump requires maintenance. There's no bubble traps though, as with a modified herbie and BK skimmer, I don't expect to have any bubbles going on in the sump anyways.

Also, it allows me to have a little frag area in a small 25g sump.

PoonTang · #7 10-22-2010, 08:15 PM

You can use baffles to keep a steady level for your skimmer to operate at its best efficency and also to keep its bubbles out of the display. I would consider using reversed baffles like I do (see my build thread). It will keep the floaty scum from the DT in the skimmer chamber rather than skimming it off and sending it back to the tank, and because it takes water from the bottom of the chamber it filters out micro bubbles better. You can also get away with only having 2 baffles thus saving space.