Sump baffles... Why waste the time?

USC-fan · 01/24/2011, 08:52 PM

I have never had a sump with baffles. I dont see any reason to have them. I have a ext skimmer so water level for skimmer doesnt matter.

I use a filter sock on the return so no bubbles.

What am I missing? there has to be a reason why everyone does it.....

Setting up a new tank so help me out!

dmastracchio · 01/24/2011, 09:43 PM

One thing I have noticed is that where my return pump is located/connected too is a certain amount of water. For any reason my overflows stop working which is hard to believe they would, my pump would only pump about 1/2 gallon of water into the tank before it ran dry, that is as long as no other water was going into the sump.

I guess its not really a huge reason to have baffles, but it's saved my tank from overflowing a few times back before I had ways to keep snails out of my overflows.

arentspowell · 01/24/2011, 10:50 PM

Baffles are nice if you want to add a fuge. But if you have a filter sock on you skimmer and everything I guess you dont need it. I run my carbon in a media bag that I place between my baffles so it makes the water flow through it.

jherrin215 · 01/25/2011, 12:31 AM

Having a good return section is a big reason for me. With my ato system its easier to keep the return section regulated due to the fact that I can let the level drop more without actually losing as much water.

maynardjames · 01/25/2011, 12:32 AM

run a 40 gal breeder with no baffels. use filter socks. everthing works great. i like having the open space

USC-fan · 01/25/2011, 07:52 AM

Yeah might be a good idea for just a return section. Just in case the overflow stop working you dont have a flow....

shiver905 · 01/25/2011, 08:43 AM

Keeps the ATO at a proper level,

and also my skimmer goes nuts if i dont give it a constaint water level.
To do this i need baffels

sirreal63 · 01/25/2011, 08:52 AM

I have gone without baffles for about 7 years, no micro bubble issues and skimmer is recirculating so no issues with water level. It works for me and I have the entire sump to play with for equipment placing.

zero26 · 01/25/2011, 09:37 AM

No baffles for about a 1 1/2 yrs. No filter socks and no problems.

bayoupr · 01/25/2011, 10:25 AM

I have baffles and like to know that if for some reason I loose my siphon on my overflow box I won't flood my tank or house because I have my pump area baffled off.

sirreal63 · 01/25/2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayoupr

I have baffles and like to know that if for some reason I loose my siphon on my overflow box I won't flood my tank or house because I have my pump area baffled off.

If you have a flood it will not be because of the baffles in your sump.

jcw · 01/25/2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayoupr

I have baffles and like to know that if for some reason I loose my siphon on my overflow box I won't flood my tank or house because I have my pump area baffled off.

Depends on how much water is in the return area before the pumps become uncovered and run dry. Also how much extra volume is in the display tank before it overflows.

If the volume in the return area of the sump is larger than the volume unfilled in the display tank then you will still flood. But maybe not as much...

01/24/2011, 08:52 PM	#1
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	Sump baffles... Why waste the time? I have never had a sump with baffles. I dont see any reason to have them. I have a ext skimmer so water level for skimmer doesnt matter. I use a filter sock on the return so no bubbles. What am I missing? there has to be a reason why everyone does it..... Setting up a new tank so help me out!

01/24/2011, 10:50 PM	#3
arentspowell Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 296	Baffles are nice if you want to add a fuge. But if you have a filter sock on you skimmer and everything I guess you dont need it. I run my carbon in a media bag that I place between my baffles so it makes the water flow through it. __________________ Innovative Marine Nuvo 10g AIO Mixed Reef AI Prime Black with Hanging Kit // Vortech MP10QD // InTank Media Basket // Innovative Marine Ghost Skimmer // Tunze 1073.008 Return Pump // AutoAqua ATO

01/25/2011, 12:32 AM	#5
maynardjames Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: west tennessee Posts: 1,600	run a 40 gal breeder with no baffels. use filter socks. everthing works great. i like having the open space __________________ if your 555 Current Tank Info: 120 rr dual overflows, solarflare t5 fixture,octo extreme 200,vortech mp40w esx2. brs reactor for carbon, brs reactor for gfo, 40 gal breeder sump

01/25/2011, 08:52 AM	#8
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I have gone without baffles for about 7 years, no micro bubble issues and skimmer is recirculating so no issues with water level. It works for me and I have the entire sump to play with for equipment placing. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

01/25/2011, 09:37 AM	#9
zero26 MoneyPit Maestro Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington MO Posts: 1,866	No baffles for about a 1 1/2 yrs. No filter socks and no problems. __________________ 90 DT, 50 gal basement sump. Current Tank Info: LPS, SPS

01/24/2011, 09:43 PM	#2
dmastracchio Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Edwards AFB, CA Posts: 190	One thing I have noticed is that where my return pump is located/connected too is a certain amount of water. For any reason my overflows stop working which is hard to believe they would, my pump would only pump about 1/2 gallon of water into the tank before it ran dry, that is as long as no other water was going into the sump. I guess its not really a huge reason to have baffles, but it's saved my tank from overflowing a few times back before I had ways to keep snails out of my overflows.

01/25/2011, 12:31 AM	#4
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Having a good return section is a big reason for me. With my ato system its easier to keep the return section regulated due to the fact that I can let the level drop more without actually losing as much water.

01/25/2011, 07:52 AM	#6
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	Yeah might be a good idea for just a return section. Just in case the overflow stop working you dont have a flow....

01/25/2011, 08:43 AM	#7
shiver905 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 109	Keeps the ATO at a proper level, and also my skimmer goes nuts if i dont give it a constaint water level. To do this i need baffels

01/25/2011, 10:25 AM	#10
bayoupr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,308	I have baffles and like to know that if for some reason I loose my siphon on my overflow box I won't flood my tank or house because I have my pump area baffled off.

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