Baffle Question

[Russjax]

Hi folks. Long time lurker, first time poster.

I have a question about baffles. I hope you all can help. I have a 75g tank that I want to use as a refugium/sump. It is the standard 48"x18"x20" tank. I am wondering what size the baffles should be. I was thinking 17.5"x17" each. What size would you all recommend?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[ReefNeck]

I have only built one sump/fuge and it was only a 10G. I think Mpdharley can answer this easily if he sees it so.....Bump to the top.

 

[mpdharley]

Assuming your skimmer is going to be in section 1, your baffle must be high enough to accomodate your skimmer and pump.

From there, determine how much water you want in the last section, where water is pulled by your pump and returned to the tank.

This section is where you will see the evaporation. This should be high enough to ensure that the pump is not going to create a vortex as it draws in the water, then add another inch or so.

Your first baffle can be higher than your last, but I just make the 1st and last the same, taking the larger requirement of the two sections.

For the midde baffle, I normally make that about one or two inches taller than the other two.

 

[Russjax]

Thank you for the advice, Mpdharley.

I apologize for not getting back sooner. Came down with a really nasty cold a couple of days ago.

My plan is to have a refuge between the first section (inlet with skimmer) and the last section (pump back to tank). now I just have to find some place that will sell all that glass for less than an arm and a leg.

 

[mpdharley]

No problem. Have you thought about using acrylic instead of glass? Farco Plastics (in Jax) will do all the cuts for free. Last time I checked, a 3/8" sheet of cell cast was $160.

The 1/4" was about $100. Depending on the size, you might be able to use 1/4".

 

[mpdharley]

Whoops, forgot you said you had a 75 (glass) that you were going to use. For some reason, I thought you were going to build from scratch.

 

[GoldStripe]

Welcome to the boards Russjax. Are you using an external or internal return pump?

 

[Russjax]

Thank you for the welcome.

Internal (submersible) Cap 2200 pump. Something has me thinking I might need something a bit bigger, but I'll have to hook it up and see first.

 

[GoldStripe]

with a 75 gallon sump and that pump, you pretty much couldn't go wrong no matter what. But, depending on you display I would think about upgrading especially if you wanted to feed a skimmer and / or fuge section from the drains or return pump later on.