I like having lots of rock in my sump and want one with the same vol as my DT (175g each total=350g). I was thinking of just buying a plastic box and using it as a sump. People talk about bubble traps but with a box that large would bubble trap even do much? what else could a baffle do for me with this large a volume?
Does my sump really need baffles?
- Thread starter LadyTang2
- Start date
- Tagged users None
The purpose of sump walls and baffles is to direct water through filtration stages, then to return cleaner water to your tank. If there is nothing to provide the water with a direction much of the water in the sump won’t get filtered. Baffles will allow you to create different levels in the sump. The different levels can be set for a particular skimmer water height, or section for rock.
If you don’t create flow or direction in your sump section you’ll waste allot of energy and achieve very little filtration.
If you don’t create flow or direction in your sump section you’ll waste allot of energy and achieve very little filtration.
Pntbll687
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2017
- Messages
- 2,188
- Reaction score
- 2,721
I would run one single baffle before the return pump, just to keep a consistent water height for a skimmer if running one.
Another thing to consider is evaporation and your ato. If you don't have any baffles it will take until the entire sump level drops to activate the ato. If you have single baffle by the return, the ato won't have to pump as much water. If you're going as big as you say, the ato could be pumping gallons of water to adjust the water height just a little bit.
Another thing to consider is evaporation and your ato. If you don't have any baffles it will take until the entire sump level drops to activate the ato. If you have single baffle by the return, the ato won't have to pump as much water. If you're going as big as you say, the ato could be pumping gallons of water to adjust the water height just a little bit.
Reefer40b
Valuable Member
You do not need any baffles if you choose not too just depends how you wish to run your system. If you use reactors for media, running sponges, filter socks doing a refugium etc.
madweazl
2500 Club Member
A single baffle or some other method to keep one chamber separated from the rest to maintain water level for a sensor/float for an ATO would be the only thing I'd consider must. The water level across a 175g tub may allow for significant salinity fluctuations before an ATO turns on or off. A simple PVC fitting that overflows into another small tank where you monitor the water level should suffice for that though.
Last edited:
joseserrano
2500 Club Member
in a water volume that big, you will have significant swings in salinity if you are using an ATO.
DaneGer21
Valuable Member
How?
joseserrano
2500 Club Member
its just a large volume of water, for any ATO sensor we currently have, water level has to drop to engage it. By the time the ATO is tripped off, a few gallons min will have evaporated. more than likely more than a few.
madweazl
2500 Club Member
To simplify, the salinity of a 40g aquarium wouldnt change much if the water level dropped by 1mm because the surface area is small however, if the surface changed by 1mm across a 175g aquarium, the results would be significant.
joseserrano
2500 Club Member
arguing one does not see/experience any issues does not really pair what most of us are trying to do in this hobby. We are shooting for consistency, to derive the best growth and color out of our inhabitants. Having salinity swings that are large kinda defeat one the main purposes of having an ATO, and take away from the consistency most are chasing. Not just the consistency of salinity, but all the other elements that will fluctuate when a large amount of RODI water is dumped into a tank.
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
I am not arguing. I don't have any issues. It works fine. I have a 400 gallon system and use a 100 gallon stock tank as a sump. The ATO works fine. It adds about 4-5 gallons a day but not all at once. Because the system is bigger the percentage change is proportional. You don't get big swings.
Not needed. The only "filtering" a sump would do with baffles in place would be if you implemented a mechanical sponge in between baffles to trap particles. Another reason for baffles would be to have different flow zones within the sump, for a refugium etc.
All you need is a good ATO to keep water level consistent for your skimmer, and maybe run a filter sock to aid in some mechanical filtration if deemed necessary.
I've ran my sump baffleless for 10 years. All I have is a 40g breeder with a big skimmer (relative to my tank size),a reliable tunzee ATO, a floating santa Monica algae scrubber and every once in awhile I'll run a filter sock when I Turkey baste my rocks to catch excessive detritus.
For me a sump isn't really a "fliter", but rather a vessel to house equipment and add extra water volume to the system.
All you need is a good ATO to keep water level consistent for your skimmer, and maybe run a filter sock to aid in some mechanical filtration if deemed necessary.
I've ran my sump baffleless for 10 years. All I have is a 40g breeder with a big skimmer (relative to my tank size),a reliable tunzee ATO, a floating santa Monica algae scrubber and every once in awhile I'll run a filter sock when I Turkey baste my rocks to catch excessive detritus.
For me a sump isn't really a "fliter", but rather a vessel to house equipment and add extra water volume to the system.
