Advice for my sump design

[caseytatum44]

Hey all, I've been doing research on sump designs and wanted some opinions on mine. I'm keeping things simple and am not going to have a refugium, any suggestions on this?

My main concerns/questions:

Should I have another baffle separating the protein skimmer and the return pump?
Do I really even need the baffles?
Do I need any other filter media (sponges/carbon between baffles?)

Probably going to add an autotop off in the future.

Thanks!

 

[Bosco83]

I wouldn't worry about having sponge filters between baffles I think a filter sock is more than enough. I quit using a filter sock after seeing how many pods I was killing. I would keep the bubble trap baffles, but I would make that section larger and put the skimmer in there. I think if your skimmer is after the bubble trap you will get micro bubbles in the display.

 

[Trex]

Personally, I would move the skimmer to the inflow chamber, before the baffles (( or at least put baffles after the skimmer if you want to leave it where it is, otherwise you will have a ton of micro-bubbles )), and create a fuge b/t the skimmer section and the return section. I have used a single baffle separating the fuge and return sections.

Edit to add ---- Plus you will need to have a baffle after the skimmer, otherwise the water level will change over time and decrease the performance --- skimmers need consistent water levels.

This is an older picture (( the skimmer is different )), and was from my 40 breeder, but used the same design with my 65 (( and 75 for that matter )). It is a 20 long tank,

 

[The_wolfeman]

+1 on the skimmer in the first chamber, a constant water level is essential for your skimmer to function properly. I find that a coarse sponge in between Te baffles helps trap large particulate (i.e. food, macro) but still allows pods to pass through.