Baffle help

[rayn]

What is the reason or purpose behind the teeth in one of the baffles in a sump? I'm getting ready to cut my panels and before I just cut them I was wondering.

When I made them for my 20l sump I cut them in and have had no problems, but with a new sump being built in a 55 I'm starting fresh. I have eggcrate, will that do the same?

[James404]

Originally Posted by rayn

What is the reason or purpose behind the teeth in one of the baffles in a sump? I'm getting ready to cut my panels and before I just cut them I was wondering.

When I made them for my 20l sump I cut them in and have had no problems, but with a new sump being built in a 55 I'm starting fresh. I have eggcrate, will that do the same?

I believe the teeth are to prevent snails and other small creatures from going over the baffle

[greech]

Also help to keep macro algae from making its way over a baffle and into another area of the sump where you don't want it to be (i.e., return pump section). FWIW my snails have no objection to climbing over teeth.

[rayn]

I used eggcrate to keep the cheato out of the return area. I have that baffle shorter then the skimmer baffles in my 20L. If those are the only reasons out there, I may just leave them off and use eggcrate.

[chjay00]

The teeth on on the baffle helps reduce micro bubbles in the sump and reduces splashing/noise when the water is low in the sump.

[rayn]

Now that reason sounds familiar.

[Tuscaquatics]

FWIW, I don't have teeth on my baffles and everything works fine. Small strands of chaeto do get over into the return from the fuge and clog up the pumps sometimes, but I really don't think teeth would prevent it.

[TellyFish]

I have teeth on my display, but not on my frag tank... personally, I like toothless better. That being said, I do have intake screens on my drains to keep unwanted snails away if they make it that far...

[rayn]

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards no teeth on this one.

[Palting]

Where do you get baffles for the DIY sump?

[rayn]

I make my own out of acrylic. I'm just using the same sheet I bought for the C2C.

[Tuscaquatics]

Originally Posted by Palting

Where do you get baffles for the DIY sump?

Local glass shop will cut them to spec for very little. I got three 1/8" baffles of about 11x13 inches for 15 bucks.

Rayn, I know you said you're using acrylic, but with a glass sump, it's gonna be a lot harder getting them to stay in there. Acrylic and glass don't especially like bonding with one another. You're gonna need to put a ton of silicon on there to keep them in.

[iamwrasseman]

you dont need any teeth on the sump baffles . you may need something to contain the cheato if you have excess flow in the sump but if its working at the correct flow to also be functional then teeth wont be needed at all .

[rayn]

Originally Posted by Tuscaquatics

Rayn, I know you said you're using acrylic, but with a glass sump, it's gonna be a lot harder getting them to stay in there. Acrylic and glass don't especially like bonding with one another. You're gonna need to put a ton of silicon on there to keep them in.

I've been told that before, but I built my 20L sump the same way and it is working so far. Now also I understand that with a bigger tank and sump there should be more flow, but shouldn't it still work? Doesn't the silicone mostly act like a channel for the baffles to sit in rather then sealing to them?

[James404]

I siliconed in my acrylic baffles and they are holding up more then adequate, its really a non issue, just use thick acrylic to prevent bowing from the pressure.

[rayn]

That is how my 20 is, and I only use 1/4 inch acrylic.

[rayn]

How bout another question? How tall should I make the baffles? Sump is a 55 with the DT being a 120. I cut 10" tall baffles, but they look really short in there and seems like a lot of wasted water volume that I could be using.

[iamwrasseman]

13" would be my height on the upper limit . with a sump you cant fill it as you need some room for water to drain when the power fails . if you filled it you would have a very wet floor on your hands .

[rayn]

Right, I don't want to fill it, just don't want to waste room either. I'll recut them at 13" as I was thinking somewhere aroung the 14" mark myself looking at it. I can still use the 10" one for my down one and then with eggcrate between the fuge and return area, so no real waste.

[iamwrasseman]

when we build them we cut them at 13",12"and two at 11" . 13 is for the sock area 11"wide ,then the 12" is the high side one in above the floor with the two 11"on each side making the bubble trap . also the return end is 11" wide but sometimes different depending on return pump size .

wow i just reread that and its a bit confusing ,sorry as i have no way to draw it out for you .

[rayn]

13up, 11 up, 12 down, 11 up for bubble trap. Then one more 11 between fuge and return, depending or pump. Got it......I think

[Tuscaquatics]

I found that having the 3-baffle bubble trap is unnecessary. I have the skimmer section, then a baffle raised an inch and a half, then a bubble trap section of about 2 inches, then a baffle all the way to the bottom so the water goes over the top to the return. I never have bubbles.

[rayn]

That sounds like how I have my other sump set up. I have no problems with it either, but it is a 55 with 20 sump. This is going on a 120 with 55 sump using the bean overflow, so I expect there would be more flow, therefore more chance of bubbles.

[Toddrtrex]

Originally Posted by Tuscaquatics

Local glass shop will cut them to spec for very little. I got three 1/8" baffles of about 11x13 inches for 15 bucks.

Rayn, I know you said you're using acrylic, but with a glass sump, it's gonna be a lot harder getting them to stay in there. Acrylic and glass don't especially like bonding with one another. You're gonna need to put a ton of silicon on there to keep them in.

Won't need a ton of silicone to attach acrylic baffles to a glass sump. All 3 of my sumps are that way, and I used what I would consider a normal amount of silicone. My oldest one has been running for 7+ years without a single issue.

[lefthander]

Heres the site with all your answers Melvesreef.com. I have used a couple of his designs , and have been very happy.