What size baffles for 40g Breeder sump?

[Vapour1ze]

Having a local glass shop make me a few glass panels for my 40g sump... This is all in the basement and I am only doing a skimmer in the first breeder... I want a basic bubble trap... so I need two panels cut... I just want to know width that you all recommend cutting to fit in the tank, he always wanted to konw if they should smooth the edges or leave sharp?

Regular silicone for glass to glass as well correct?

I am getting the cones co-2 skimmer so I am probably going to run the skimmer in about 9" of water... so would I make the first baffle 8" tall? leave 1" space at the bottom for water to flow under? Next baffle how tall? and how wide?

Cheers guys!

[thegrun]

I would leave a 1/8" gap on each side and the bottom so cut the glass 1/4" undersized for the side to side dimention and 1/8" for the bottom. Smooth all of the the exposed sides. I would use Momentive RTV or GE SCS1200, Momentive RTV 103 is black silicone and 108 is clear silicone. Allow at least 10 days for the silicone to cure before adding water. A 1" gap is good.

[Vapour1ze]

Originally Posted by thegrun

I would leave a 1/8" gap on each side and the bottom so cut the glass 1/4" undersized for the side to side dimention and 1/8" for the bottom. Smooth all of the the exposed sides. I would use Momentive RTV or GE SCS1200, Momentive RTV 103 is black silicone and 108 is clear silicone. Allow at least 10 days for the silicone to cure before adding water. A 1" gap is good.

Perfect, I actually ordered a 10oz tube of the 108 the other day. I'll use this on bulkheads and the baffles.

[asudavew]

I used 17 3/8".

[Vapour1ze]

Originally Posted by asudavew

I used 17 3/8".

Thank You, I think I will copy you.

So an 8" High baffle for first would keep my water level at 9" correct if I left a 1" gap at the bottom

[Drae]

[Vapour1ze]

Originally Posted by Drae

Perfect.

Thanks

[Drae]

Make your first baffle bigger than 9". That skimmer might need to be a little deeper sometimes. I like to make my baffles higher and use a skimmer stand. More water volume helps any tank also imo. Above is a oic of my 40 breeder sump. Skimmer/fuge/return. Works perfectly. Might do skimmer/return/fuge next time though.

[Vapour1ze]

This is basically what I had in mind... The fuge will be in another tank separately fed by my main return and will drain back into this tank...

[Drae]

Use a three baffle design. Over/under/over about 1¼" apart. Traps bubbles like crazy. I get a ton of bubbles just sitting on the top of the water on the middle baffle. I think I put mine 1½" apart but 1¼" works perfect too. I've made this design a dozen times for myself and a few friends. Functions very well.

[Drae]

[Drae]

[Drae]

[Drae]

That small bead of silicone gets applied 24 hours before I build a sump. Holds the baffle tight in place. I shave it down with a razor blade to flatten it out first tho. Works very well. Obviously the tape helps create a uniform edge afterwards. Just a few helpful tips.

[Drae]

[Drae]

Don't mind the dust! When I realized I didn't clean the tank first I was peeved. Had to cut the baffle out and redo it. I've built so many that I overlooked step #1! Lol

[Vapour1ze]

Thank you very much!

[Drae]

Originally Posted by Vapour1ze

Thank you very much!

[Remmers]

Originally Posted by Drae

If you dont mind me asking, what are the heights of your baffles?

[Drae]

Originally Posted by Remmers

If you dont mind me asking, what are the heights of your baffles?

First baffle is 11" ( my aquamaxx em200 said 8"-10") then they get an inch smaller after that ( minus the bubble trap) so 11"/10"/bubble trap/ 9" return section baffle.

[davocean]

Originally Posted by Drae

I really like that silicone bumper trick there for holding in place.
I'm about to do pretty much the same thing also in a 40 breeder, but I do the 3 baffles first after drain/skimmer section, and my last baffle at return is just one baffle, and it's an under, that way if sump level drops for some reason(most of my years have been w/out an ATO) that area does not ever run dry, and micro's floating up should not go under that last baffle.
This has always been my old school way and will probably do the same unless someone points out why not to go that route.

[Remmers]

Thanks for the response, I got my glass cut today I went 10", this way I can have "wiggle room"

Will start on it tomorrow, Kids homecoming game is in a few.

[ecook280]

Very nice !!

[Remmers]

Originally Posted by Drae

First baffle is 11" ( my aquamaxx em200 said 8"-10") then they get an inch smaller after that ( minus the bubble trap) so 11"/10"/bubble trap/ 9" return section baffle.

how much space did you leave between the baffles?

Since I will have the skimmer area, bubble trap, fuge and then return I have a lot of room to work with.

I was thinking around 8" for the skimmer area, 10" for the fuge and 10"' for the return.

I would rather have more room in the return area, since Im not using a ato right now.

As for the fuge, it could be smaller correct, as it really only needs enough room for some rubble rock and cheto?

[Drae]

Originally Posted by Remmers

how much space did you leave between the baffles?

Since I will have the skimmer area, bubble trap, fuge and then return I have a lot of room to work with.

I was thinking around 8" for the skimmer area, 10" for the fuge and 10"' for the return.

I would rather have more room in the return area, since Im not using a ato right now.

As for the fuge, it could be smaller correct, as it really only needs enough room for some rubble rock and cheto?

On the sump pictured I put the baffles 1½" apart bit have since changed that method to putting them 1¼" apart. An 8" skimmer level limits your skimmer options imo as a higher level can accommodate a wide variety of skimmers and you can always raise a skimmer with minimal effort.