Baffles or No Baffles?

reefer55 · Feb 9, 2013

Ok I'm doing my 250g build now and have run into a but of an issue here...my dilemma is

1. Buy a custom sump and pay money out the a....

2. Or buy a 40g breeder and make my own but with or with out baffles?

I'm not planning on doing a refug, all I typically run is a sock, reactor that hold carbon/ROWA, and skimmer...never had any issues

Well now that I've got the big tank, I'm adding a UV Sterilizer and bigger skimmer of course

What's your opinion here...what would you do, advice on buying a sump in Orlando, online? Or building

"You might be a firefighter if your kids are scared to get in a water fight with you"

Go Gators!!!

Christian

GrampaDon · Feb 9, 2013

DIY the 40b with a minimum of one baffle to maintain water height for the skimmer.
Or use three to make a bubble trap. over-under-over <<<What I feel is minimum

reefer55 · Feb 9, 2013

So def do a DIY one rather than buy one?

ImageUploadedByReef2Reef Aquarium Forum1360470571.158260.jpg

That's my baby so I wonna do it right!! Haha

"You might be a firefighter if your kids are scared to get in a water fight with you"

Go Gators!!!

Christian

gobeach · Feb 10, 2013

No advice, but will be interested in your choice and progress.

Nice tank, did you make the stand?

specvjeff · Feb 10, 2013

I definitely prefer baffles. They really help cut down on micro bubbles.

SDMAS President
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GHill762 · Feb 10, 2013

Diy with baffles. Its easy and you will save a lot of money.

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MrSquid · Feb 10, 2013

You most likely wont regret adding baffles, but you will likely regret it if you don't for the reasons already mentioned here. Especially the bubble trap. Over/under/over at a minimum.

One thing to keep in mind - plexi expands a bit in water. Not much, but enough to crack your tank if the baffles are perfectly cut to size. Make them a bit smaller than they need to be (1/8-1/4") so you don't run into problems.

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reefer55 · Feb 10, 2013

MrSquid said:
You most likely wont regret adding baffles, but you will likely regret it if you don't for the reasons already mentioned here. Especially the bubble trap. Over/under/over at a minimum.

One thing to keep in mind - plexi expands a bit in water. Not much, but enough to crack your tank if the baffles are perfectly cut to size. Make them a bit smaller than they need to be (1/8-1/4") so you don't run into problems.

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Good lookin out!!

"You might be a firefighter if your kids are scared to get in a water fight with you"

Go Gators!!!

Christian

KSzegi · Feb 10, 2013

I would go the diy route. When I set up my 300 I ended up buying a 65 gallon acrylic tank and going without baffles. Just seemed easier to have room for all the equipment and I was not going to run a fuge. I figured I could add baffles if it didn't work well. Been perfectly happy with the baffle-less system. I have no problems with micro bubbles - but some of that may be to do with the bean animal overflow design.

Zack · Feb 10, 2013

I use no baffles and I love it, I have the skimmer on opposite side of return pump to prevent bubbles getting into DT .
More room for equipment and working space, plus its easier and cheaper, just grab an empty tank and your all set!
Although I wouldn't a sump without baffles if I didn't have an ATO. Water level would definitely affect skimmer operation without a baffle or ATO.

reefer55 · Feb 10, 2013

gobeach said:
No advice, but will be interested in your choice and progress.

Nice tank, did you make the stand?

Yes, adding more trim to give it final touches before I plumb it in a few days

"You might be a firefighter if your kids are scared to get in a water fight with you"

Go Gators!!!

Christian

reefer55 · Feb 10, 2013

Zack said:
I use no baffles and I love it, I have the skimmer on opposite side of return pump to prevent bubbles getting into DT .
More room for equipment and working space, plus its easier and cheaper, just grab an empty tank and your all set!
Although I wouldn't a sump without baffles if I didn't have an ATO. Water level would definitely affect skimmer operation without a baffle or ATO.

Ya I need to get a ATO system, which one do you recommend?
Inexpensive?

"You might be a firefighter if your kids are scared to get in a water fight with you"

Go Gators!!!

Christian

NJHC · Feb 10, 2013

All I have to say.... glass-holes.com

Aqua fire/medic · Feb 10, 2013

I would go with the baffles no doubt!

By the way...... Nice sig

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jerl77 · Feb 10, 2013

No baffles here and love it

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GrampaDon · Feb 10, 2013

I think that Gla$$ H0les one needs a RKL or RKE to operate.
I use this AutoTopoff.com its a double switch. And yes a couple times it went up to the second switch till cutoff. So redundant aint so bad.
Also its a little cheaper. Next is a Toms Aqualifter to add the topoff water.

fragmatic · Feb 10, 2013

My take is do the baffels. I will eventually do a DIY sump too. My thinking is to use a baffle to set the depth of my skimmer per the line. I then will add a baffle after/ right next that one to force the water to go low, and one more 1/2" below the first baffle height (bubble trap). This does one more thing, if you set your last compartment's ATO down a fair amount and plenty high to make sure your return pump doesn't suck air, but low as reasonable, you gain overflow volume in case of a power outage. Right now you may think you have enough, but when I decided to add a separate refugium later I was happy I had allowed plenty of over flow volume in my present sump. So the baffle adds safety margins, and you may as well kill the skimmer micro bubbles while you are at it. That's my opinion, you really do not know what you will decide to do in the future, leave yourself options. IE: I now am running two refugiums, and am pleased I left myself that option.

reefer55 · Feb 10, 2013

Aqua fire/medic said:
I would go with the baffles no doubt!

By the way...... Nice sig

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Haha love the pic as well bro!!!

Ya I'm thinking of no baffle but I can't find a 40g breeder for sale decent price

"You might be a firefighter if your kids are scared to get in a water fight with you"

Go Gators!!!

Christian

robf · Feb 10, 2013

I'd go w/ no bubble trap but 2 dividers for cheato. I recommend fewer at least until you see how the sump works with your pumps. I have three darts on my 400 (2 for returns and one to run skimmer and reactors) and my original sump couldn't keep up with them. I'm building this one to replace my old one. They can always be installed later if you need them.

reefer55 · Feb 10, 2013

robf said:
I'd go w/ no bubble trap but 2 dividers for cheato. I recommend fewer at least until you see how the sump works with your pumps. I have three darts on my 400 (2 for returns and one to run skimmer and reactors) and my original sump couldn't keep up with them. I'm building this one to replace my old one. They can always be installed later if you need them.