[fernandokng]

In my current sump, I have the same set up as you - but I got rid of the baffles.

Do you really need it? It's a nice to have, but I'd rather save space for a bigger skimmer compartment or fuge, so I got rid of it.

Do I notice microbubbles from the skimmer? Nope, all the bubbles are gone by the time it passes through the fuge.

The only time I have microbble issues is when my water in my return pump section evaporates, and the water line becomes lower than the fuge glass. Thus, the drop of the water from the fuge splashes to the return compartment, creating bubbles and sending it to the display via the return pump.

Fortunately, I got an ATO, so that solved the evaporation issue. Hope that was clear.

[autoponicz]

heres a pic...
the first baffle is mainly to keep the water level constant for the skimmer..but if the skimmer is external...then you dont need a baffle there....but i say the baffles help keep each compartment to work for what its intended...like for the fuge area...if i had no baffles then the macro will be floating all over the sump
the fuge area is cool to have...plenty of pods and stuff in there....but im thinking of turning it into a frag section..

[Hungriee]

Quote: Originally Posted by autoponicz heres a pic... the first baffle is mainly to keep the water level constant for the skimmer.. the fuge area is cool to have...plenty of pods and stuff in there....but im thinking of turning it into a frag section..

is there a reason the first baffle after the fuge is so short? Does it do any purpose? For the reactor I plan on putting it where the skimmer chamber will be? In your pic you have it where the return is. Is there a specific reason?

[autoponicz]

the short baffle is for water to flow through and down the fuge for a stronger current...and to keep the sand in 1 place...but thats how i wanted it...seems to work good so far...the reactor is in the return section just because i have room there....and my manifold is on that side..you can put it anywhere you want...
now im not saying that 1 or 2 baffles wont work...like how these guys are explaining...but thats how i like mine...

[Hungriee]

cool.. I just wanted to know how it works b/c in my diagram I planned all the baffles to be the same height. Makes sense for it to increase flow since its lower.

[boardryder]

Nice work! This is very similar to what I'm going for. I decided for using the short baffle at the beginning of the fuge, and the intent was also for better flow through it. I was also planning on two bubble traps, but I'm not sure why exactly.

Question about your extra outlets off the return pump. What is your return pump rated for and how much does using those extra outlets affect your return pump?

[autoponicz]

if i was to do it again....i would make the last baffle (towards the return pump) about 1/2" to 1" shorter than the first baffle so theres a slight waterfall going from the skimmer compartment to the fuge for a bit more water current...right now its almost the same height....

my return is a eheim 1262...rated at 900gph...i was planning to use the other 2 outlets for a calcium reactor and a chhiller......the phosban reactor i have on it now dont need much flow...the return pump is dialed back 1/4-3/8 turn or else the flow in the sump is too fast...

[boardryder]

So you have little current even with your short baffleforcing the water to flow through(not over) the refugium?

I originally had two bubble trap setups in mind, but I was now thinking of setting it up like yours, but the last baffle near the return would be the same height of the baffle between the skimmer and fuge(already got my peices cut).

[autoponicz]

the current is good...but im just saying i want to let the water fall down from the first baffle a little more...like on the left side of the fuge....im not sure if im explaining it right...

[boardryder]

Yeah I understand. You could probably just cut some grooves in the last baffle if it is plastic. I was just curious about how yours is working out before I build my sump.