Simple sump question

ahud · 10/07/2010, 02:05 PM

Is there any reason I can not just skip baffles in my sump if I am not going to have a fuge?

I will probably use a 30x12x18 (29 gallon) for my sump. Any reason why I can't just throw my skimmer, return pump, and heater in and call it complete?

40 breeder plus 29 gallon sump and I am stocking really light, so no reason I should have too big of a problem with nitrates.

rickh · 10/07/2010, 02:19 PM

It will probably be fine. My last sump had baffles, but I found could you use a filter sock to control the bubbles. R

gtfourmn · 10/07/2010, 03:12 PM

You shouldn't have any problems running it without any baffles. As already mentioned, micro bubbles might be a minor inconvenience.

cloak · 10/07/2010, 03:27 PM

You might have to fiddle with the water level a bit so your skimmer works properly but that's about it. Here's a picture of the sump I had under my old 60 breeder. Return pump, skimmer, heater, float valve, and a few softball sized rocks and I was set. It was real easy to clean too.

trb · 10/07/2010, 03:34 PM

Yes, bubbles are the one thing you might have to work with once you determine how high you need the water level. Running your drain hose down under the water level and then let the bubbles float to the surface will work. Put the return pump on the opposite side of the tank. If you don't run the drain under the water, you will have lots of salt spray and more bubbles.

The only other thing would be if you need to keep the water level constant for your skimmer. If the water level drops too much from evaporation it could affect the skimmer's operation. That is why a skimmer section usually has a constant level maintained by the baffles. But you could use an ATO setup for that.

Good luck!

ahud · 10/07/2010, 06:19 PM

I have an Tunze osmolator ATO, but if you guys think I should put in a baffle to make a skimmer section then I don't mind.

I just did not see the point in a lot of different sections if all I'm using the sump for is equipment.

ahud · 10/07/2010, 06:19 PM

trb, what size overflow and return pump are you using?

trb · 10/08/2010, 02:20 PM

If you have a good ATO, then you should be OK as long as you can stop the bubbles from entering the display. My tank is drilled with a 1" drain line and Durso standpipe. My return is a 1/2" ID line hooked up to a Quietone 4000 pump. I know it is a bit much for a return pump, but I got it cheap and I figured I could run my phosban reactor and feed a refugium from the return pump too. Still working on that part though!

Dwyer · 10/08/2010, 02:25 PM

I had to add baffles to my sump to battle all the microbubbles getting chopped up in my pump and spit into my display tank. I wouldn't do it especially if you have a skimmer.

ali1 · 10/08/2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickh

It will probably be fine. My last sump had baffles, but I found could you use a filter sock to control the bubbles. R

this guy is right. Adding a filter sock to the exit of the drain will keep the bubbles from leaving.

brycerb · 10/08/2010, 05:14 PM

I'm not running any baffles and I don't have a mico bubble problem.

10/07/2010, 02:05 PM	#1
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	Simple sump question Is there any reason I can not just skip baffles in my sump if I am not going to have a fuge? I will probably use a 30x12x18 (29 gallon) for my sump. Any reason why I can't just throw my skimmer, return pump, and heater in and call it complete? 40 breeder plus 29 gallon sump and I am stocking really light, so no reason I should have too big of a problem with nitrates.

10/07/2010, 03:12 PM	#3
gtfourmn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blaine, Minnesota Posts: 67	You shouldn't have any problems running it without any baffles. As already mentioned, micro bubbles might be a minor inconvenience. __________________ Oceanic 50 Gallon Current Tank Info: Oceanic 50

10/07/2010, 03:34 PM	#5
trb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 234	Yes, bubbles are the one thing you might have to work with once you determine how high you need the water level. Running your drain hose down under the water level and then let the bubbles float to the surface will work. Put the return pump on the opposite side of the tank. If you don't run the drain under the water, you will have lots of salt spray and more bubbles. The only other thing would be if you need to keep the water level constant for your skimmer. If the water level drops too much from evaporation it could affect the skimmer's operation. That is why a skimmer section usually has a constant level maintained by the baffles. But you could use an ATO setup for that. Good luck! __________________ Thomas member of MARSHreef - the Marine and Reef Society of Houston. Current Tank Info: 60+ Gal top reef display + 29 gal non reef safe lower display + 29 gal sump

10/08/2010, 02:20 PM	#8
trb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 234	If you have a good ATO, then you should be OK as long as you can stop the bubbles from entering the display. My tank is drilled with a 1" drain line and Durso standpipe. My return is a 1/2" ID line hooked up to a Quietone 4000 pump. I know it is a bit much for a return pump, but I got it cheap and I figured I could run my phosban reactor and feed a refugium from the return pump too. Still working on that part though! __________________ Thomas member of MARSHreef - the Marine and Reef Society of Houston. Current Tank Info: 60+ Gal top reef display + 29 gal non reef safe lower display + 29 gal sump

10/08/2010, 05:14 PM	#11
brycerb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Isle of wight, VA Posts: 541	I'm not running any baffles and I don't have a mico bubble problem. __________________ -Luckily, my wife is reef safe so I can use my normal income for this hobby. -My cichlids love RO waste! Current Tank Info: 7.5 gallon box with water in it.

10/07/2010, 02:19 PM	#2
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	It will probably be fine. My last sump had baffles, but I found could you use a filter sock to control the bubbles. R

10/07/2010, 03:27 PM	#4
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	You might have to fiddle with the water level a bit so your skimmer works properly but that's about it. Here's a picture of the sump I had under my old 60 breeder. Return pump, skimmer, heater, float valve, and a few softball sized rocks and I was set. It was real easy to clean too.

10/07/2010, 06:19 PM	#6
ahud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 519	I have an Tunze osmolator ATO, but if you guys think I should put in a baffle to make a skimmer section then I don't mind. I just did not see the point in a lot of different sections if all I'm using the sump for is equipment.

10/08/2010, 02:25 PM	#9
Dwyer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 59	I had to add baffles to my sump to battle all the microbubbles getting chopped up in my pump and spit into my display tank. I wouldn't do it especially if you have a skimmer.

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