Baffles For Sump - Help Please

[chatyak]

Going to the store in next few days to pick up glass for my sump. I am going to have 3 compartments. From left to right.

Skimmer / Return / Refuge.

Drain is split to skimmer/ fuge with ball valves.

My question is.....


How thick should the glass be for the baffles and how high should it go up the tank?

The tank is 30x12x22 so roughly 37 gallons.

Thank You

 

[Capt_Cully]

I don't think it matters much as long as they do their job. They help to calm water flow and control bubbles from getting into the return forming microbubbles

 

[bach2pilot]

The baffles can be any thickness of glass/plexiglass if that's your question. They don't really hold very much weight so you can use the really thin glass 1/8th? or 3/16th inch.
I have used 1 to 1 1/4 inch spacing between the baffles (with 1 inch at the bottom) and it works well. It really depends on how much space you need for everything else.

 

[chatyak]

Alright... now for another question.... if the glass goes up the sides won't that create microbubbles when the water falls over the baffle into the return area? Or am I missing something here?

 

[mcmxc17]

Check out melev's reef, lots of info about sumps and designs. He has something for everyone.

 

[ledford1]

Create an over-under system of baffles.

http://www.melevsreef.com has a lot of sump info and designs you can see for yourself

 

[chatyak]

I have used that site for many hours in past days and have never seen that... you are saying instead of the center baffle being 1" up... the two ends ones are and the middle is touching the floor?

 

[jcpatella]

In my sump, I have the center baffle lifted, with the last baffle against the bottom. Even when the water in the return area is low, my flow is low enough that water doesn't pour over the edge. It shouldn't splash and create the microbubbles I think you're expecting.

Also, the nearest baffle on either side of your refugium (or on one side, in your case) should be against the bottom. This way, the sand in the refugium doesn't get carried away.

 

[chatyak]

Thanks for that tip jcpatella... good point on the sand.

Also, does it matter if the glass is tempered or non tempered?

 

[jcpatella]

Are you asking if it's ok that the glass you're using for the baffles is tempered or the glass the sump is made of?

 

[chatyak]

That's right.... I dont think it would since the baffles for the sump are not being drilled... just want to be sure.

 

[jcpatella]

I don't know much about glass other than if it's tempered, don't mess with it. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that tempered glass can't be cut or drilled. If anyone else knows more, please comment...

 

[Playa-1]

The baffles do not need to be tempered.