Exotic Marine System Sump Kit Users

[reelss]

Hi. Anyone using the EMS kit? I have a few questions while I am assembling the kit for my 75 gallon sump. @TaylorPilot appears to be missing and I need some questions answered so that I can get this project going.

 

[reelss]

1. What order do you assemble the return section baffles in? Assuming water flow from left to right, is this the correct order for the baffles?

 

[reelss]

2. Where does the adjustable plate go?

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I just put one of these together in a 20L for a seahorse build I am getting ready to do.
The adjustable plate will go to the left then the flat plate. This way you can adjust the water height easy.

 

[dugthefish]

I had the same issue with that particular piece, the pictures on the website show both ways. I did mine the same as you are thinking, under then over. Idk if its "right", but it works to eliminate most air bubbles. Unfortunately, the adjustable plate is mostly rendered useless this way, as the water level in the return chamber is the same as the sump chamber.

 

[don_chuwish]

Photo on the site shows "under-over" which makes sense.

 

[Westoncase]

Photo on the site shows "under-over" which makes sense.

The return section looks backwards. Its the otherway around on my 20L kit

 

[don_chuwish]

The return section looks backwards. Its the otherway around on my 20L kit

Ha! You're right, he has it the other way around on the 20L photo on the website.
@TaylorPilot - what's the story man!

 

[TaylorPilot]

You can install it either way. Over under is the traditional way. Triton started the trend of going under than over. The argument was that it trapped the surface proteins in the skimmer section, so it would have a better chance of the skimmer getting them. The only downside is that the adjustable plate takes all the pressure of the water that way, and can bow out a little if set to the max height. When setup normally, the plate presses against the baffle for support, but any surface proteins are skimmed off into the return pump section. I personally haven't seen much of a difference in performance, so I just install mine in the traditional way. But either way is fine IMHO.

 

[TaylorPilot]

I had the same issue with that particular piece, the pictures on the website show both ways. I did mine the same as you are thinking, under then over. Idk if its "right", but it works to eliminate most air bubbles. Unfortunately, the adjustable plate is mostly rendered useless this way, as the water level in the return chamber is the same as the sump chamber.

You really want the level inside the return chamber and the sump to be very close. If the water had far to fall, the water would make noise. Adjust the plate so that the water is the level you want in the skimmer section, then adjust your ato in the return section so that it is only about 1/8" or less below the top of the adjustable baffle.

 

[dugthefish]

You really want the level inside the return chamber and the sump to be very close. If the water had far to fall, the water would make noise. Adjust the plate so that the water is the level you want in the skimmer section, then adjust your ato in the return section so that it is only about 1/8" or less below the top of the adjustable baffle.

It works out good for me. Kudos to designing and manufacturing a high quality product.

 

[Rafael VANTOLRA]

I had the same issue with that particular piece, the pictures on the website show both ways. I did mine the same as you are thinking, under then over. Idk if its "right", but it works to eliminate most air bubbles. Unfortunately, the adjustable plate is mostly rendered useless this way, as the water level in the return chamber is the same as the sump chamber.

Hi!!!! I just got my 55g kit. Thank you so much for posting this. My question is how long have you have it running,and how do you like it? Alot of people said, skimmer first then refugium.
And how good of performance is on the last baffle. Water goes under and over

 

[dugthefish]

Hi!!!! I just got my 55g kit. Thank you so much for posting this. My question is how long have you have it running,and how do you like it? Alot of people said, skimmer first then refugium.
And how good of performance is on the last baffle. Water goes under and over

Love it. The design necessitates fuge->skimmer->return, but it works well.

Only thing I would do different is add an extra baffle between skimmer and return for an over under over configuration, which would allow me to get a bit finer tuned water levels. But I have no regrets in not doing that.

 

[Rafael VANTOLRA]

Love it. The design necessitates fuge->skimmer->return, but it works well.

Only thing I would do different is add an extra baffle between skimmer and return for an over under over configuration, which would allow me to get a bit finer tuned water levels. But I have no regrets in not doing that.

That's good to know. If you have the chance to re do it again will you go with the traditional way? Over and under , to have more control of your water level. ?

 

[dugthefish]

That's good to know. If you have the chance to re do it again will you go with the traditional way? Over and under , to have more control of your water level. ?

I wouldn't change it now, it works too good to ever mess with. If I did another, for a new tank, I'd add the 3rd baffle. I like under over cuz its drawing from the bottom of the skimmer chamber. I misspoke in the last post, I'd go under over under when I add the 3rd baffle.

 

[JimG1966]

I got the same kit before all the virus stuff hit and just now getting around to putting it all together.. I checked when it arrived to make sure all parts where there and had 1 plate missing but he sent it to me... now there is nothing to go buy on the exotic marine web site on how to put it together...lol... doing a search on it led me here to R2R as just about every search i do on saltwater tanks or anything i am putting in them. Is there any chance of getting you to post a pic of yours finished? I found the pic above to go by on the build but kind of wondering how big to make my input section and my return section to make it as quite as possible.

 

[JimG1966]

The worst part of all of it, they make the kits to fit the tanks from petco and the tank i got is a Aquarium Masters and its not as wide.. the panels would not fit between the glass. I contacted EMS about this and was told to grind/file it down enough to fit..

 

[TaylorPilot]

I got the same kit before all the virus stuff hit and just now getting around to putting it all together.. I checked when it arrived to make sure all parts where there and had 1 plate missing but he sent it to me... now there is nothing to go buy on the exotic marine web site on how to put it together...lol... doing a search on it led me here to R2R as just about every search i do on saltwater tanks or anything i am putting in them. Is there any chance of getting you to post a pic of yours finished? I found the pic above to go by on the build but kind of wondering how big to make my input section and my return section to make it as quite as possible.

Which kit did you get? Did you see the video on the website. I put together one of the smaller ones, and the steps are basically the same. The only difference is if you bought one of the ones with a fuge. Install the plate first with silicone only on the one side. Once it cures, install the vertical braces along the opposite (skimmer chamber side). Basically follow the instructions for the very first brace of the sock holder when installing the fuge baffle. I hope that makes sense.


Call me if you have any questions. Here is my personal cell... 979.292.5764...I can't get to my phone part of the day, so if I don't answer, shoot me a text and I'll respond when I get freed up. I plan on making more videos, but I just don't have the time right now. I have about a 2 to 2.5 week lead time on the overflows and I am trying like mad to get that down right now.