DIY sump with Fiji cube baffle set

halfdoz · May 22, 2018

I'm new to this site so I'm sorry if I post this in the wrong place.
I have done several things DIY. When I first put my system on it was using a small trickle filter. Then I attached a DIY algae scrubber and due to the extra water if the system power failed I was going to have quite a bit of extra water on the floor. After much searching and I mean hundreds of hours of what was best I went with the FIJI cube Baffle system for a 40 gallon breeder. I want to shout out to them at how awesome this product is. It fit perfectly and I had the system up and running about 2 days later. The quality is fantastic and the socks came with it. Thanks FIJI cube! It has been running a couple of weeks now.

I have attached my algae scrubber to the refugium for now as I could not get my old algae scrubber to work with this system and it has been so effective that I couldn't just take it offline. I will attach some pics. I have 6 children, 3 in college so I am always looking for lower cost ways without affecting the quality of my tank.

Crabs McJones · May 22, 2018

Looks awesome! I was contemplating something like this for my spare 40 gallon breeder, but ended up going with a pre-made trigger sump instead. After seeing this I might just do it anyways and use the 40 as a sump after I move

Bayareareefer18 · May 22, 2018

Crabs Mcjones said:
Looks awesome! I was contemplating something like this for my spare 40 gallon breeder, but ended up going with a pre-made trigger sump instead. After seeing this I might just do it anyways and use the 40 as a sump after I move

I also went with the 40B Fiji cube baffle kit. This is my first build but I am really happy with the kit

DaveNJ · Mar 23, 2019

@halfdoz and @Bayareareefer18 are you still using the Fiji cube baffle kit? What are your thoughts on it? Would you do it again, use glass baffles or buy premade sump?

Thanks!

JimmyV · Mar 23, 2019

I am thinking about that kit also for my sump on my 180. It looks like it works well

Bayareareefer18 · Mar 23, 2019

DaveNJ said:
@halfdoz and @Bayareareefer18 are you still using the Fiji cube baffle kit? What are your thoughts on it? Would you do it again, use glass baffles or buy premade sump?

Thanks!

Running almost a year now and happy

JimmyV · Mar 24, 2019

Bayareareefer18 said:
Running almost a year now and happy

What is that small space next to the socks? Is it for the drains to go to sump then flow into the socks?

DaveNJ · Mar 24, 2019

@James E Volk Yes the small area next to the socks is where the drains would go. Then the water over flows to socks

Rufus’ goofs · Mar 24, 2019

They’re pretty snazzy little kits.
I opted out of using the socks, I just stuffed a bunch of rock rubble in that section.

We’ve got 2 of these kits, 1 for a 20 long, and the one for the 10 gallon.
I did have to trim some of the acrylic to fit the 20 long. Either the tank was too narrow, or the panels too wide, but it all worked out.

Bayareareefer18 · Mar 24, 2019

Rufus’ goofs said:
They’re pretty snazzy little kits.
I opted out of using the socks, I just stuffed a bunch of rock rubble in that section.

We’ve got 2 of these kits, 1 for a 20 long, and the one for the 10 gallon.
I did have to trim some of the acrylic to fit the 20 long. Either the tank was too narrow, or the panels too wide, but it all worked out.

I ended up removing my socks and using the red sea cups with layers of foam. Have three different foams from coarse to fine. I have a small piece of rock in the bottom of each as they tend to float

DaveNJ · Mar 25, 2019

Rufus’ goofs said:
They’re pretty snazzy little kits.
I opted out of using the socks, I just stuffed a bunch of rock rubble in that section.

We’ve got 2 of these kits, 1 for a 20 long, and the one for the 10 gallon.
I did have to trim some of the acrylic to fit the 20 long. Either the tank was too narrow, or the panels too wide, but it all worked out.

How long has it been installed in the tank? My concern is the baffles cracking the tank walls. I like the sock holder feature.

Rufus’ goofs · Mar 25, 2019

DaveNJ said:
How long has it been installed in the tank? My concern is the baffles cracking the tank walls. I like the sock holder feature.

The 20 long has been plumbed into our 125 for the better part of a year.

The tank cracking, is actually why I had to trim down the panels. But I also should have to done it in the first place, they were too wide, and putting pressure on the glass so I cracked my first tank. Fortunately it happened while the tank was curing in the garage. After I took about 1/4 inch off each one though, it fit like a glove, haven’t had any issues since.

Bayareareefer18 · Mar 25, 2019

DaveNJ said:
How long has it been installed in the tank? My concern is the baffles cracking the tank walls. I like the sock holder feature.

A year for me. There was plenty of space for the baffles to fit. Not pushing against the tank sides at all. Using a standard AGA 40B

halfdoz · Apr 5, 2019

DaveNJ said:
@halfdoz and @Bayareareefer18 are you still using the Fiji cube baffle kit? What are your thoughts on it? Would you do it again, use glass baffles or buy premade sump?

Thanks!

Sorry I missed this someone. Yes. I love it and and it has worked very well

Special K · May 8, 2019

Looking at buying this kit as well. Pretty easy to put together and good directions? And why get rid of the socks?

Brooke24 · Dec 3, 2020

halfdoz said:
I'm new to this site so I'm sorry if I post this in the wrong place.
I have done several things DIY. When I first put my system on it was using a small trickle filter. Then I attached a DIY algae scrubber and due to the extra water if the system power failed I was going to have quite a bit of extra water on the floor. After much searching and I mean hundreds of hours of what was best I went with the FIJI cube Baffle system for a 40 gallon breeder. I want to shout out to them at how awesome this product is. It fit perfectly and I had the system up and running about 2 days later. The quality is fantastic and the socks came with it. Thanks FIJI cube! It has been running a couple of weeks now.

I have attached my algae scrubber to the refugium for now as I could not get my old algae scrubber to work with this system and it has been so effective that I couldn't just take it offline. I will attach some pics. I have 6 children, 3 in college so I am always looking for lower cost ways without affecting the quality of my tank.

I’m having trouble screwing in one of the baffles to another, I’m so lost. Can you help me on that?