Baffle Spacing

HardCory · Jul 3, 2017

I'm just about to finish my 40B sump for my 180. I have the skimmer baffle in and the raised baffle, for the return's bubble trap, in and up 2". My question is how much should I space the the other two from the raised baffle; one or two inches?
I'm more concerned with flow, of which, I don't know how much I will be doing. I'm just going to wing it when I get the tank set up (DC pump).
I'd prefer one inch to give more room to the fuge and return chambers, but if I have to, I'm fine with two.
Thanks in advance!

JamesP · Jul 3, 2017

HardCory said:
I'm just about to finish my 40B sump for my 180. I have the skimmer baffle in and the raised baffle, for the return's bubble trap, in and up 2". My question is how much should I space the the other two from the raised baffle; one or two inches?
I'm more concerned with flow, of which, I don't know how much I will be doing. I'm just going to wing it when I get the tank set up (DC pump).
I'd prefer one inch to give more room to the fuge and return chambers, but if I have to, I'm fine with two.
Thanks in advance!

When I siliconed in my baffles I used a couple 2x4s as spacers which gives 1.5" between the baffles. I'm glad I did because any less and it would be a lot tougher to clean. 1" would be too tight IMO. Excuse the wiring mess. I'm in the process of adding the refugium on the right and rerouting a bunch of wires.

HardCory · Jul 3, 2017

JamesP said:
When I siliconed in my baffles I used a couple 2x4s as spacers which gives 1.5" between the baffles. I'm glad I did because any less and it would be a lot tougher to clean. 1" would be too tight IMO. Excuse the wiring mess. I'm in the process of adding the refugium on the right and rerouting a bunch of wires.

Yeah, the more I double check my research (even though I've done built 3 sumps at this point), the more it seems like it'll just be more convenient with wider spacing. 1" is fine but 2" makes it easier to install, clean and makes for a better bubble trap