stuff for in between baffles

[CoralWealth]

So I am wondering what you guys use in between your baffles, just for extra protection from some cheato pieces from going into the DT or stopping snails from going from one section to another.

I am interested in different but price affordable recommendations, that way you can change them out and clean them a couple times a week or along those lines.

 

[m3rcfh]

I use just a block of foam (I purchase the Fluval replacement foam blocks for cannisters, about 3 bucks a box) and cut them to fit. I have a grill that the foam sits on top at the bubble trap

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I have mine filled with live rock rubble I’ve gradually accumulated over the years. Provides some extra filtration and serves as a “cryptic refugium” habitat for filter feeders and pods. Between the baffles is a good place for rubble because water flow is forced over and through the rubble to expose it to all your system water and prevent the rubble from becoming a detritus trap.

 

[CoralWealth]

both of those are good ideas!

I would worry about the small cheato pieces getting stuck in the live rock rubble though when I move the cheato around, usually I get a decent amount of small pieces that make it into the DT right now

 

[mfinn]

I use block foam. From many fish websites you can find Aquaclear 110 or 500 foam or from ebay at a much cheaper price.

 

[CoralWealth]

I use block foam. From many fish websites you can find Aquaclear 110 or 500 foam or from ebay at a much cheaper price.

I use just a block of foam (I purchase the Fluval replacement foam blocks for cannisters, about 3 bucks a box) and cut them to fit. I have a grill that the foam sits on top at the bubble trap

How fast do these usually clog up? Also, how did you make the grill, that sounds like a good idea.

 

[mfinn]

How fast do these usually clog up? Also, how did you make the grill, that sounds like a good idea.

I leave them in for about 3 months, then pull them and clean them. I could go longer as they really don't clog up very fast.
This works 2-3 times, then I toss them and add new.
You can see the water level difference between the 2 chambers and that should tell you how clogged they are.
I've let them go as long as a year before on a smaller tank and the water level between the 2 chambers was only about a inch.

 

[andyg1960]

I have 2 blocks of MarinePure in there

 

[m3rcfh]

I designed my sump based on lessons learned/ideas from existing off-market sumps, so I got a online company to laser cut acrylic to me... the grill was a part of it... here's a picture of the bubble trap area right after I siliconed it all to the wall and a picture pf the geill piece... please don't judge the black silicon, I though it would be a good thing doing a visible bead of silicon to easily detect leaks, but ended up looking horrible

 

[CoralWealth]

I designed my sump based on lessons learned/ideas from existing off-market sumps, so I got a online company to laser cut acrylic to me... the grill was a part of it... here's a picture of the bubble trap area right after I siliconed it all to the wall and a picture pf the geill piece... please don't judge the black silicon, I though it would be a good thing doing a visible bead of silicon to easily detect leaks, but ended up looking horrible

I like this a lot, very good idea. I wish I would have done this when I made my sump haha

 

[m3rcfh]

I like this a lot, very good idea. I wish I would have done this when I made my sump haha

Thanks! The hard-work is even more rewarding when you guys approve it.

One thing thought, I really recommend not gluing down the grill... I cemented the punch-out blocks that came inside the grill slots (leftovers), so I can just place the grill on top of it without gluing permanently. Easy to remove the grill and clean/catch any critter trying to make its way out

 

[evmibo]

Marine pure spheres.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Instead of foam or sponges, I often use quilt batting for this kind of thing with some kind of grate or egg crate. Very cheap from a craft store. Cut to size and then just toss it. I used it in customized freshwater filters for years too.

 

[NY_Caveman]

This is what I use for many aquarium needs. 100% polyester, no chemicals.

 

[BigHildy53]

Another option is egg crate wrapped in BRS 1/8 screen. I have it before and after the fug section of my sump.

 

[ca1ore]

If you use foam or fill, make sure there is a place for the water to go in the event it becomes clogged. When I used block foam (don't anymore), I would always bore a hole in it for a stand pipe. That way if the foam got clogged the water would rise and flow down through the pipe.

 

[ca1ore]

I designed my sump based on lessons learned/ideas from existing off-market sumps, so I got a online company to laser cut acrylic to me... the grill was a part of it... here's a picture of the bubble trap area right after I siliconed it all to the wall and a picture pf the geill piece... please don't judge the black silicon, I though it would be a good thing doing a visible bead of silicon to easily detect leaks, but ended up looking horrible

Very nice. Hope you accounted for acrylic expansion and didn't fit the baffles too tightly. FWIW, sump is functional not aesthetic LOL