Do baffles in the sump really work to prevent micro bubbles?
- Thread starter db_triggerfish
- Start date
crumbletop
New member
Sump dimensions: 24x16x12.
Baffles 1" between at top.
Water height in 1st and 2nd compartment: 11.25"
ATO keeps water height constant in 3rd compartment (~10").
Microbubbles (copious) exit down low from first compartment.
Skimmer in second compartment. Output from skimmer makes the water surface turbulant and dumps microbubbles (no foam on standpipe).
Water flow through sump approx 450 gph.
3rd compartment is placid.
The last baffle is a remnant of another plan. I don't think it does anything in this setup.
Most microbubbles appear to exit after (B) where some of the water loops back up to the surface after spilling over, and other water moves on. Water flows from right to left in the below diagram.
Baffles 1" between at top.
Water height in 1st and 2nd compartment: 11.25"
ATO keeps water height constant in 3rd compartment (~10").
Microbubbles (copious) exit down low from first compartment.
Skimmer in second compartment. Output from skimmer makes the water surface turbulant and dumps microbubbles (no foam on standpipe).
Water flow through sump approx 450 gph.
3rd compartment is placid.
The last baffle is a remnant of another plan. I don't think it does anything in this setup.
Most microbubbles appear to exit after (B) where some of the water loops back up to the surface after spilling over, and other water moves on. Water flows from right to left in the below diagram.
Mine are 2" apart, 12" high and 18" wide. Right now, its O-U-O. It used to be O-U-O-U, but I yanked out the last one since all it did was send the bubbles down low in the sump. With my baffles being spaced 2x as far as yours, 1.5x wider, and having ~ 700 GPH flow, I would think I have a slower flow through the trap. My old 30G sump had 1" spacing, 12" wide and ~ 350 GPH flow. In both cases, microbubbles ride right through. In neither did I ever have them do a U Turn and head back up. Maybe its the size of the microbubbles. When I get around to it, I'll be removing the 2nd two baffles and just have a single over baffle. I may put in a media tray in that space instead to run carbon and what not.
crumbletop
New member
I have basically 0 water movement at the surface in the last compartment. It gets a film on it. These bubbles are super tiny. I have to shine a light on them to see them. Maybe the angle of my next to last baffle has something to do with it -- by maybe creating some turbulance down there that backs things up a little bit so things loop back up. Maybe also aided by the fact that there is really no appreciable downward water movement over the next to last baffle. I know these are microbubbles, and this trap works...
crumbletop
New member
I'd agree with that
Exactly. The whole premise of a bubble trap is bubbles float up against the downward water flow of an "O" baffle. IME, that doesn't happen since the microbubbles (I guess the term is neutral buoyant) dont readily float. You can see them if you shine a bright light in the sump. Maybe one day before I take out the bubble trap, I'll try and make a video. I think it would be hard to get one where you could actually see them.
crumbletop
New member
Neutrally bouyant won't rise period. Microbubbles are bouyant -- just not so if the downward water flow exceeds their "bouyancy" if that is the correct term. I just did the flashlight thing in my sump. My baffle system definitly is working, which means there must be enough calm areas to let them escape. The few that make it through to the last compartment, I can see skidding along the under surface of the water as they enter. There is no downward movement to the bubbles at all in that compartment.
You must be doing something right. I've had 3 sumps. 30G 1" baffles, 40G 1.5" baffles, 75G 2" baffles. All slow flow. 3 different skimmers. None of them stopped micro-bubbles. IME, pretty much any downward flow exceeds the microbubbles buoyancy.
Maybe I just have a talent for making neutral buoyant microbubbles!:rollface:
Maybe I just have a talent for making neutral buoyant microbubbles!:rollface:
my lfs and the other two I regularly visit don't use baffles but instead surround the pump/plumbing hole with rubble. Most of them don't have a series issue with microbubbles. My other lfs uses a sponge and has very few bubbles....would you guys suggest using either for better control of bubbles?
When limiting bubbles in the sump, flow through the sump is most important, I have had very good luck with bubble traps, but they all depend on how much flow you run through the sump.
RichConley
New member
Why do you feel the need to put the EX-1 in the sump? Its an external.
Similar threads
