Sump design input (1 Viewer)

[Leicester56]

Building 3 chamber 40 gallon breeder sump. I have placed baffles 1 and 3, but am looking for input on baffles 2 and 4 ( see crappy diagram) In my current sump I have no baffle 2. I wonder if adding this baffle is likely to create better flow at the bottom of chamber 2? Keep in mind that chamber 2 will be a Chaeto/live rock/pod Fuge. In my current sump baffle 4 is used along with some plastic mesh, to prevent Chaeto from going into the return pump in chamber 3. Better way to achieve this goal?

 

[Travis Dragan]

This is my default sump design, The first set of baffels forces bubbles to go down, also allows for a sand bed if you wanted to, in the center section. The last set (3) works as a good bubble trap.

 

[souk]

if its my sump I would not put in baffles 2 and 4. baffle 2 will add some flow but it all depends on your return pump.

 

[Leicester56]

The baffels on the ground will determine the water height in the first and middle chamber.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/Aquascaper/Reef Tank/Sump.jpg

Yes, but if baffle 2 is in place the flow will enter at the bottom of chamber two and exit over the top of baffle 3. I imagine this will create a significant difference in flow pattern in chamber 2? I am worried without baffle 2 that the bottom of chamber 2 will have little flow. Flow through the sump will be about 3000-400gph, so maybe it is a non-issue.

 

[Leicester56]

if its my sump I would not put in baffles 2 and 4. baffle 2 will add some flow but it all depends on your return pump.

flow through sump: 300-400gph. Actual sump water volume with baffles- about 25 gallons.

 

[David Grigor]

I like simple. I'm with Souk on this one. #2 and #4 are not needed and wasting space. #1 is even questionable. If after your go-live and you do find bubbles still getting to your return pump. Simply add a elbow facing down on your pump.

I recommend not using any substrate for the refugium but if you did #2 baffle only needs to be as high as the substrate depth you want to keep.

Now if you do want to use some type of filter media then sandwiching the filter media then between and #1/2 or #3/4 would make sense. I run a little filter floss in my carbon reactor so I wouldn't need #2 or #4.

 

[Leicester56]

I'm with Souk on this one. #2 and #4 are not needed and wasting space. #1 is even questionable. If after your go-live and you do find bubbles still getting to your return pump. Simply add a elbow facing down on your pump.

I recommend not using any substrate for the refugium but if you did #2 baffle only needs to be as high as the substrate depth you want to keep.

Now if you do want to use some type of filter media then sandwiching the filter media then between and #1/2 or #3/4 would make sense. I run a little filter floss in my carbon reactor so I wouldn't need #2 or #4.

I plan on a sock on return drain, but a place to put carbon might be nice. I currently just hang a bag of it in the sump ( likely really inefficient).

 

[jlanger]

You can do without baffle #4.

I would recommend adding Baffle #2.
My original sump design had the frag section being created by two baffles that sat on the bottom (like #1 and #3). Water flow will take the easiest path and that path was straight across the top. Detritus would settle along the bottom since there were "dead zones" in the chamber.
Adding a Baffle #2 will help create a nonlinear path and the water will "mix" more in that chamber. The baffle I added was small; extending only a couple of inches below the water line. It doesn't take much to create a change in water flow direction.

To keep your macro algae from getting carried into the return chamber, you could just add some screen/egg crate to create a barrier at Baffle #3.

 

[BEAV9900]

Personal experience while trying to add a baffle similar to #2. The water forcing out was stirring my sand bed up and causing constant sand storm in fuge. I was trying to create a pretty small opening so the water pressure was probably more then you would have. Just food for thought

 

[Leicester56]

Personal experience while trying to add a baffle similar to #2. The water forcing out was stirring my sand bed up and causing constant sand storm in fuge. I was trying to create a pretty small opening so the water pressure was probably more then you would have. Just food for thought

No plans for a sandbed in the Fuge, just rock, Chaeto, and hopefully a good pod population. . I was thinking of a 1.5 inch gap from the bottom for baffle 2. How far was yours?

 

[Leicester56]

You can do without baffle #4.

I would recommend adding Baffle #2.
My original sump design had the frag section being created by two baffles that sat on the bottom (like #1 and #3). Water flow will take the easiest path and that path was straight across the top. Detritus would settle along the bottom since there were "dead zones" in the chamber.
Adding a Baffle #2 will help create a nonlinear path and the water will "mix" more in that chamber. The baffle I added was small; extending only a couple of inches below the water line. It doesn't take much to create a change in water flow direction.

To keep your macro algae from getting carried into the return chamber, you could just add some screen/egg crate to create a barrier at Baffle #3.

That is what I am hoping to achieve with baffle 2 ( preventing water from just flowing near the surface in chamber 2).


Also, I think the egg crate idea is a great way to go! Thanks. One less baffle "well" to keep clean.

 

[Leicester56]

Sump complete and baffles leak tested. Went with Baffles 1,2, and 3. Plan on using egg crate instead of baffle 4 to keep Chaeto from leaving chamber 2. Thanks for all the input!