Is there anything wrong with a simple 2 baffle sump?

Beakman · 10/14/2018, 09:51 AM

A while back, as my first foray into having a sump, I built a very simple sump that had 3 chambers. 1 baffle placed 1/3rd of the way across the sump, the other places 2/3rds across. With about a 2” height difference between them.

That was it. No over unders, no filter sock holders, etc.

I told myself that when it was time to upgrade I would design something much more sophisticated. But now that the time is here, and I’ve planned out the more sophisticated sump that includes over unders and a horizontal glass piece with holes for filter socks, I can’t see any reason why this setup will achieve any of my specific needs better than just having 2 single glass piece baffles.

All I really want is a place to put my heaters, my HOB skimmer, and grow chaeto.

Important note in my case: I’m using a reef octopus HOB skimmed that has a built in bubble trap in the body, so I don’t really need baffles for a bubble trap.

I guess my main question is: if I can do this in a very simple and inexpensive way that will meet my needs, is there anything obvious that I’m missing that will make me regret having this kind of sump?

mcgyvr · 10/14/2018, 11:34 AM

How do you plan to keep the cheato out of the skimmer?.
While a 2 chamber will work just fine for a non-fuge setup once you want to have a fuge in it thats best placed where there is no skimmer or return pump for it to get clogged in

If microbubbles wont be a problem then over/under setups arent really needed...I have all simple baffles in my sump but enough chambers to keep everything separated..

hkgar · 10/14/2018, 12:52 PM

I have 3 compartments. Drain from DT, middle for pump to external skimmer and ATS, 3rd for return to DT and ATO sensor, my ca reactor also flows into the 3rd chamber

Beakman · 10/14/2018, 01:30 PM

The skimmer will hang on the side of the tank in the first chamber, where the water from the tank flows into. The 2nd chamber will be the refugium where the chaeto is.

On my previous setup, I affixed some egg crate onto the 2nd baffle so the chaeto didn’t flow over into the return chamber.

hkgar · 10/14/2018, 02:54 PM

You should have a sperate return chamber as the level in that chamber will change as a result of evaporation and the other chambers will stay at a constant level which is best for maintaining consistent level in the skimmer.

Beakman · 10/14/2018, 03:08 PM

The 3rd chamber is the dedicated return pump chamber. If I wasn’t posting from my phone I’d post a quick mspaint drawing

Chamber 1: water flows in from display tank, protein skimmer, heaters

Chamber 2: Refugium with chaeto. Egg crate at end of chamber to prevent chaeto from flowing into chamber 3

Chamber 3: return pump and auto top off sensor

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

hkgar · 10/14/2018, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beakman

The 3rd chamber is the dedicated return pump chamber. If I wasn’t posting from my phone I’d post a quick mspaint drawing

Chamber 1: water flows in from display tank, protein skimmer, heaters

Chamber 2: Refugium with chaeto. Egg crate at end of chamber to prevent chaeto from flowing into chamber 3

Chamber 3: return pump and auto top off sensor

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

Maybe I don't understand. If the only sepreation between chambers 2 and 3 is the egg crate, than it is only 2 chambers.

Anemone · 10/14/2018, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

You should have a sperate return chamber as the level in that chamber will change as a result of evaporation and the other chambers will stay at a constant level which is best for maintaining consistent level in the skimmer.

This, which will be important if you ever decide to change out your HOB skimmer.

Kevin

Beakman · 10/14/2018, 04:43 PM

Sorry the egg crate is an EXTRA piece that is pushed up against the glass baffle

mcgyvr · 10/14/2018, 07:04 PM

I clearly wasnt reading well earlier today...

MondoBongo · 10/16/2018, 08:29 AM

none of my sumps have ever had baffles. haven't noticed any issues.

10/14/2018, 09:51 AM	#1
Beakman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 4	Is there anything wrong with a simple 2 baffle sump? A while back, as my first foray into having a sump, I built a very simple sump that had 3 chambers. 1 baffle placed 1/3rd of the way across the sump, the other places 2/3rds across. With about a 2” height difference between them. That was it. No over unders, no filter sock holders, etc. I told myself that when it was time to upgrade I would design something much more sophisticated. But now that the time is here, and I’ve planned out the more sophisticated sump that includes over unders and a horizontal glass piece with holes for filter socks, I can’t see any reason why this setup will achieve any of my specific needs better than just having 2 single glass piece baffles. All I really want is a place to put my heaters, my HOB skimmer, and grow chaeto. Important note in my case: I’m using a reef octopus HOB skimmed that has a built in bubble trap in the body, so I don’t really need baffles for a bubble trap. I guess my main question is: if I can do this in a very simple and inexpensive way that will meet my needs, is there anything obvious that I’m missing that will make me regret having this kind of sump?

10/14/2018, 11:34 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	How do you plan to keep the cheato out of the skimmer?. While a 2 chamber will work just fine for a non-fuge setup once you want to have a fuge in it thats best placed where there is no skimmer or return pump for it to get clogged in If microbubbles wont be a problem then over/under setups arent really needed...I have all simple baffles in my sump but enough chambers to keep everything separated.. __________________ Who me?

10/14/2018, 12:52 PM	#3
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	I have 3 compartments. Drain from DT, middle for pump to external skimmer and ATS, 3rd for return to DT and ATO sensor, my ca reactor also flows into the 3rd chamber __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

10/14/2018, 02:54 PM	#5
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	You should have a sperate return chamber as the level in that chamber will change as a result of evaporation and the other chambers will stay at a constant level which is best for maintaining consistent level in the skimmer. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

10/14/2018, 07:04 PM	#10
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I clearly wasnt reading well earlier today... __________________ Who me?

10/14/2018, 01:30 PM	#4
Beakman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 4	The skimmer will hang on the side of the tank in the first chamber, where the water from the tank flows into. The 2nd chamber will be the refugium where the chaeto is. On my previous setup, I affixed some egg crate onto the 2nd baffle so the chaeto didn’t flow over into the return chamber.

10/14/2018, 03:08 PM	#6
Beakman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 4	The 3rd chamber is the dedicated return pump chamber. If I wasn’t posting from my phone I’d post a quick mspaint drawing Chamber 1: water flows in from display tank, protein skimmer, heaters Chamber 2: Refugium with chaeto. Egg crate at end of chamber to prevent chaeto from flowing into chamber 3 Chamber 3: return pump and auto top off sensor Thanks for all the feedback so far!

10/14/2018, 04:43 PM	#9
Beakman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 4	Sorry the egg crate is an EXTRA piece that is pushed up against the glass baffle

10/16/2018, 08:29 AM	#11
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	none of my sumps have ever had baffles. haven't noticed any issues. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.