Glass cut for sump having second thoughts on the design.

[b4tn]

So I have my glass inserts and a tube of RTV108 and am ready this weekend to build my sump but I am having second thoughts on baffle placement. Originally I was going to make the skimmer section 12" deep with the settling area and return 10" deep. But now I am thinking of switching it around so that the skimmer section is 11" deep. My reasoning is so that water only falls 1" vs 2". From those that have the experience should I stay with 12" to 10" deep (Skimmer will be on a stand) or change it to 11" to 10"? Does it really matter how far the water falls or is there any benefit from he differences in depth between chambers?

 

[xmas_one]

You're good, it doesn't matter if it's "falling" two inches or one. I'd go lower so you don't have to use a stand, and a lower level will avoid salt creep.

 

[steve&mari]

The fall shouldn't matter. But remember to leave enough room for power failure ect in sump for when tank drains back to sump don't want a flood. I personally went with the most water volume I could and use a diy skimmer stand works great and set so it won't flood when everything is shut off for any reason.

 

[jduck]

How much depth does your skimmer need? Why not make them all 10?
Or even make the last 2 even shorter?

How big of a system/sump? You will always want the last section as big as possible so return pump does not suck air on startup.

 

[b4tn]

Size wise its a 40B. My intent is the same as Steve&Mari to place the skimmer on a stand and run as much water volume as possible but still have enough for over flow. I plan on making the return section 9" wide and the skimmer section will be 10" wide.

 

[steve&mari]

I think you're plan will be fine only difference in ours is I ran 2 baffles after skimmer then bubble trap before return chamber. Works great flow goes over 1st under 2nd over 3rd under 4th and over 5th.

 

[TheClark]

On interesting thing I noticed in the Triton sump guide, was that the skimmer section should empty from the bottom. I have never tried it but thought it was worth passing along. From the Guide:

As the water leaves the skimmer compartment it should pass under the next baffle, this is to aid the skimmer having the most contact time with the proteins in the water as proteins rise. Additional baffles may be used as bubble traps and to maintain the water level in the skimmer compartment,​

 

[b4tn]

On interesting thing I noticed in the Triton sump guide, was that the skimmer section should empty from the bottom. I have never tried it but thought it was worth passing along. From the Guide:

As the water leaves the skimmer compartment it should pass under the next baffle, this is to aid the skimmer having the most contact time with the proteins in the water as proteins rise. Additional baffles may be used as bubble traps and to maintain the water level in the skimmer compartment,​

That is interesting. I may look into that.

 

[b4tn]

There are so many designs and information out there it is hard to decide.

 

[TheClark]

There are so many designs and information out there it is hard to decide.

That is the truth! Well perhaps I muddied the waters... Good luck on the hunt

 

[ReefHeretic]

The only real effect I try to keep an eye out for with height different is with poorly bonded acrylic baffles to glass. The pressure difference can possibly be an issue. However, since you are not using acrylic, AND you're using RTV, I can't imagine there being any pressure issue at all.