Do I really need baffles? - sump

[~RuSh~]

Yes, the Ultralife float switch. Even if you don't have an ATO it can still work. Put it this way if you've got the time to feed your fish once, twice, maybe three times a day you've got the time to top off the tank too. Just put a piece of tape on the glass as an indicator and keep the water level as constant as you can. Piece of cake. It's real easy to OVERthink these things sometimes. GL.

I definitely don't have the time to feed 3x a day, and sometimes 2x a day is tough. I work for a hospital and take quite a bit of call. So if the 30$ sheet of acrylic cut into a few baffles and some silicone will save me from having to adjust my water level just to make sure my overkill skimmer is skimming... I'll probably just go ahead and do it. Not that much work to save me potentially a lot of head ache. But I appreciate the insight.

 

[davocean]

Try your best to keep glass on glass, and acrylic to acrylic, this works best.
Also while I agree topping off best as you can, there still will be varying levels that can affect a skimmer, could even cause an overflow.

As to multiple feedings, should you feel the need I can't say enough good about the eheim feeders, though probably most people don't have to have one.
I have anthias, so I do.

keep in mind I'm answering what is optimal, not what is doable.

 

[cprdnick]

Try your best to keep glass on glass, and acrylic to acrylic, this works best.

I'm in the middle of building my first sump. Why is this exactly?

 

[davocean]

I'm in the middle of building my first sump. Why is this exactly?

You will get a better bond for one, but also they will expand and contract at different rates, and you could even crack a glass sump if using acrylic baffles.

Acrylic adhere's best when joining w/ weldon, and glass adhere's best when using silicone, mixing the 2 is a compromised build.

 

[Reef noob_]

I currently run my 90g with a 65g baffle-less sump. My skimmer sits on a cement block in the sump which brings it to the right water level and my ATO keeps it constant. My fuge is actually a separate tank that drains back into my sump so if you want to add a fuge I'd say you'll probably want baffles.

Imo baffles are not NEEDED but they would definitely be a welcome addition in my case and yours too probably.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HBtank]

Baffles help with:

1. Water height for skimmer. HOB or external, or a really good ATO, can make this a non-issue or less of an issue.

2. Micro bubbles. Help reduce bubbles getting to the return pump.

3. Filtering. Ensures water moves fully through each compartment and lets waste settle (in an open sump a current could be going right from the overflow to the return), i.e. through live-rock, a refugium, through mechanical filters, etc..

I personally run a sump with baffles that do not control water levels; allows for maximum volume, and I use a recirculating external skimmer, so only 2 & 3 matter to me.

 

[Noah_Count]

I came upon this thread while searching for something else. I too have a 10 gallon aquarium that I use as a sump for my 75 gallon tank. My main purpose for it is to hide equipment. I've looked at the various sump ideas out there, both commercial and DIY, and I think, "maybe someday", but my tank is fine. No water quality issues, either chemical or appearance wise.
With regular water changes and maintenance of course!

Michael