Sump design

[reddhaus]

I have purchased a 20L to use as the sump for my 125gal reef tank. I have a feeling that i should put in some baffles to help keep the microbubbles from returning to my tank. I have not been able do decide what the best configuration for the baffles would be. I know that the more you use the better it is for keeping the bubbles away from the return pump but at the same time, i have to remember that i have to fit my skimmer in there too.

So i guess the input i am looking for is:

How many baffles should i use?

How and in what order should they be placed in the sump?
For example, should they be over-under-over or under-over-under or could i get away with two baffles in an over-under or under-over design.

Any insight, experience, or pictures would be very helpful. Thanks

[Reefland]

You should use at least 3 baffles and I prefer under-over-under. The thought is that as the water flows under the first baffle and begin to rise to go over the 2nd, the bubbles will continue to rise and diffuse at the surface while the water flows over the second and continues downwards to go under the third. If you go with the other option, over-under-over, bubbles could potentially flow right over the first and if they make it under the second they will flow right over the third.

Hope that makes since,
Scott Z.

[kevinpo]

I recommend a minimum of 3 baffles and prefer 5. The first one should be over, the 2nd under, the 3rd over, the 4th under, and the 5th over. The baffles should be placed about 1.5 - 2" apart. The height of the baffles will depend on the level you plan to keep the sump filled to. Be sure to leave enough room to take the extra water that will flow down from the tank above when you turn the pump off or you lose power. Water flowing about 1" above the first baffle works well. The next baffle should then be about 1" off the bottom. The first baffle should be about 1/2" taller than the 3rd and 5th baffle.

HTH,
Kevin

[Reefland]

As Kevin as metions in his post, the key is to make sure there is an under-over-under in the equation. This little catch section is what we stop the bubbles from making it to the return pump. If you only have room for 3 baffles, you may consider the flow I mentioned in my first post. Again I think having this "catch" section is key.

Regards,
Scott Z.

[reddhaus]

Thanks for the input. This will help me alot in my planning.

[LittleDevil]

I live in the flint area, if you wanted to come over and check mine out, and see how mine is running that would be fine... I have a 50 gallon sump with a Euro-Reef protein skimmer. I did the under-over over-under, and mine is working really good. No bubbles at all coming out of the return....
Let me know,
Matt

[reddhaus]

Hey Matt!

i know we had talked about getting together once before but my work schedual was really wacked out at that point. Things seem to have opened up for me alittle so it might be easier to set something up now. I know i won't be able to do it this week but i think it would be cool to check out your tank. I will see what is going on in the next couple of weeks and get with you and see if we can set something up.

Thanks