20 gal Aqueon sump design & baffle help

Sebastiancrab

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I am designing a 20 gal Aqueon sump and don't want a refugium. These are the designs I have found below. The tank measures 30 x 12 x 12.

a) Where should my Reef Octopus 110 be placed? I requires a 7.0 to 7.9 inch water height.
b) How high should each baffle be and which design to go with? Note the last baffles are switched.

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I’ve got this kit for my 20 gal sump:

 
I’ve got this kit for my 20 gal sump:

How is the acrylic holding up? Any bows? I am thinking I really want glass.
 
if the both black baffles are sealed at the bottom I don't see the purpose of the first.
water level will be the same in both chambers. follow the gmac example.

first baffle higher the outlet pipes so there's no noise/splashing.

last baffle sealed at the bottom so no air bubbles, generated by the water flowing over the baffle (second pic) getting sucked in by the return pump.
 
Last edited:
the top design is better at stopping skimmer bubbles but may become clogged if you have macro algae in the middle chamber

the bottom is better to contain macro algae in the middle

I made my baffles about 8" and regret it a bit because when I turn off the pump and the overflow drains in to the sump, there is not much room for error as the sump is nearly full to the rim so I think i should have done 6" tall baffles but is also depends on the size of your skimmer and how much water height it needs in the first chamber to work properly.
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