sump build questions.

5galnanoreef · 11/23/2008, 04:35 PM

Ok ,I am building a 5 gallon sump. I am going to have 2 baffles in this thing and thats it, I'll rectify the bubbles with a secret remedy I have up my sleeve.

I am wondering though, can both baffles be the same height, as I having a fuge in the sump as well, or do i need to make the imtake side bigger and the return side smaller, vice versa, or just have them the same? if they stay the same, it will be 6 inches high on each baffle. I am unsure of a return pump Ill be using, as the acrylic tank has yet to be built, i'm building it and have not finalized the size (most likely it will be 11.5 gallons if not a little larger).

melev · 11/23/2008, 08:50 PM

This is kind of tough to answer, sight unseen. Two baffles usually aren't enough, and I recommend a triple baffle normally. Since you plan to have a skimmer section and a refugium, and a return ... you probably need at least 3 if not 4 baffles total.

Height-wise, the height of the baffles after the skimmer determine the water level in that compartment, and it should be the mfg's recommended height for that skimmer.

If the next section is the refugium, it would have to be the same height or perhaps slightly lower (1" is good enough). Then it pours into the return zone.

If the next section is the return, and the refugium is at the opposite end, then the baffle can be 10-11-12" tall. Just remember the longer it drops down from that height into the return section, the more likely you'll get microbubbles.

Also, plan for a specific empty area (the top inches of the sump) so the sump won't overflow if the pump fails or the power goes out.

5galnanoreef · 11/24/2008, 02:07 PM

ill have to draw up a sketch, my skimmer is air driven and doesnt need a water level, it's really just a HOB skimmer, but i modded it to fit in the 5 gallon sump. I'll make a sketch of it.

11/23/2008, 04:35 PM	#1
5galnanoreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 50	sump build questions. Ok ,I am building a 5 gallon sump. I am going to have 2 baffles in this thing and thats it, I'll rectify the bubbles with a secret remedy I have up my sleeve. I am wondering though, can both baffles be the same height, as I having a fuge in the sump as well, or do i need to make the imtake side bigger and the return side smaller, vice versa, or just have them the same? if they stay the same, it will be 6 inches high on each baffle. I am unsure of a return pump Ill be using, as the acrylic tank has yet to be built, i'm building it and have not finalized the size (most likely it will be 11.5 gallons if not a little larger).

11/23/2008, 08:50 PM	#2
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	This is kind of tough to answer, sight unseen. Two baffles usually aren't enough, and I recommend a triple baffle normally. Since you plan to have a skimmer section and a refugium, and a return ... you probably need at least 3 if not 4 baffles total. Height-wise, the height of the baffles after the skimmer determine the water level in that compartment, and it should be the mfg's recommended height for that skimmer. If the next section is the refugium, it would have to be the same height or perhaps slightly lower (1" is good enough). Then it pours into the return zone. If the next section is the return, and the refugium is at the opposite end, then the baffle can be 10-11-12" tall. Just remember the longer it drops down from that height into the return section, the more likely you'll get microbubbles. Also, plan for a specific empty area (the top inches of the sump) so the sump won't overflow if the pump fails or the power goes out.

11/24/2008, 02:07 PM	#3
5galnanoreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 50	ill have to draw up a sketch, my skimmer is air driven and doesnt need a water level, it's really just a HOB skimmer, but i modded it to fit in the 5 gallon sump. I'll make a sketch of it.