pros & cons - sump bubble trap - OUO vs UOU

[Lv2_play]

Hi,

I am converting an aquarium to a sump. I already have a refugium plumbed out side of the sump. Flow is SKIMMER -> BAFFLES -> RETURN.

More people seem to have OUO flow through the baffles. Is this just personal preference or OUO works way better than UOU. I know OUO will create a fall of water to the return area. But will it also cause bubbles defeating the purpose of the bubble trap? And since my refugium is outside of the sump will just 2 baffles work? Either OU or UO?

Thanks for your help

 

[pmcustom]

I used OUO on my last sump, and it was fine as long as the return level didn't drop (then it would create the water fall like you were talking about). Although it was kind of nice, because I always knew at a glance when my auto-topoff reservoir went empty. As soon as the level dropped a little, microbubbles started getting into the tank. I guess it was nice to know that if the topoff failed, I would see it before it caused too much trouble.

I think I would at least go under first, right after the skimmer, because that's where most of the bubbles will be, and they'll try to go to the top. After that, it's up to you how many stages you want/need.

 

[mr pink floyd]

mine goes skimmer, O, fuge, OUO, return

 

[sjm817]

Mine is O-U-O-U

 

[RaveChild]

If you are planning on having any type of substrate in your sump/fuge then U-O-U won't work because the substrate will try and follow the same path and possibly block the water flow.

 

[ChemE]

UOU makes more sense to me.

 

[BeanAnimal]

under over under forces the water down twice. This is more effective in reducing bubbles. It also puts the water into your sump at a low point and forces it to mix well with the other water there, instead of flowing at the surface and over the wall into the return area. In other words it keeps currents moving in the sump.

 

[salt lick]

Think outside the sump! (box)
My acrylic sump is divided into 3 comartments with large mouse holes at the bottom of the dividers. So my water goes front back front. no waterfall or bubbles

 

[gsxrguru2]

I used an UOUO design in my old sump and the water spilled over into my fuge. Seemed to work well with eliminating bubbles. I ended up going with acrylic- cut myself one too many times on glass...

 

[ShiftNation]

I go baffleless with a fat ball of cheato as a bubble trap and I dont have much microbubbles , but thats not for everyone .

 

[Roland Jacques]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7064916#post7064916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by salt lick
Think outside the sump! (box)
My acrylic sump is divided into 3 comartments with large mouse holes at the bottom of the dividers. So my water goes front back front. no waterfall or bubbles

very good i like that. but you have to have a over somewhere or do you have a auto top off?

 

[Lv2_play]

One good thing I've seen with water going over the final baffle is the surface agitation which in turn helps oxygen exchange, evaporative cooling, and breaks up any slime/slick on the surface.

My refugium is plumbed outside of the sump. I am going to use live sand in my refugium. But no sand in the sump, maybe some live rock in sump. So this sump would only be skimmer area and return area.