Simple Sump Question

[Darth_Tater]

So... everything I read about sumps says they MUST have multiple chambers with baffles and so on. My question:

If I can run all equipment at the same water level and I'm not worried about micro bubbles from the skimmer and I'm not going to run a fuge in the sump, what benefit is splitting the sump into sections going to give me?

I can think of one and it's miniscule in my opinion - salinity will swing ever so slightly more because more evaporation has to happen before the top off will kick on.

Thoughts?

 

[mcgyvr]

ATO (salinity) and potential for display tank overflow should the return pump be on and the overflow not working..

Other than that.. Thats it..

 

[thegrun]

You are not going to be able to get consistent performance from your skimmer if it shares a compartment with your return pump. The micro bubbles are the least of the skimmer issues, it will either end up overflowing or not skim at all if it is not a a location with a consistant water level. Even a 1/4" is a big change in water level.

 

[mikeatjac]

You are not going to be able to get consistent performance from your skimmer if it shares a compartment with your return pump. The micro bubbles are the least of the skimmer issues, it will either end up overflowing or not skim at all if it is not a a location with a consistant water level. Even a 1/4" is a big change in water level.

I think you meant the drain line and not the return pump. The drain line will cause a disturbance and that could mess with your ATO. Your return pump should not be an issue.

 

[A sea K]

You are not going to be able to get consistent performance from your skimmer if it shares a compartment with your return pump. The micro bubbles are the least of the skimmer issues, it will either end up overflowing or not skim at all if it is not a a location with a consistant water level. Even a 1/4" is a big change in water level.

+1, skimmers are a finicky beast at times and a consistant water level is of the utmost importance for internal needle wheel type skimmers.


I get what mcyver is saying also and that is something I had never considered. It might be highly unlikely but certainly possible.

 

[Darth_Tater]

Interesting, thanks for the thoughts! Many points I had not considered.

 

[callsign4223]

I've heard of folks using the big watering troughs. Just use a milkcrate or something to keep the skimmer at the right level. Those seem to work fine and it seems like the same concept.

 

[AlSimmons]

I've been using sumps without baffles for years on end and have never had any problems. The ATO keeps the water level pretty steady so if there is any variation in the skimmers performance it's minimal at best. Really the only thing that could cause any problems is if the U-tube in my overflow got clogged or the float valve got stuck, but the chances of this happening are pretty slim. I'm more worried about an earthquake bringing my tanks down than a flood due to faulty equipment or a lost snail.

 

[Xxero]

I've been using sumps without baffles for years on end and have never had any problems. The ATO keeps the water level pretty steady so if there is any variation in the skimmers performance it's minimal at best. Really the only thing that could cause any problems is if the U-tube in my overflow got clogged or the float valve got stuck, but the chances of this happening are pretty slim. I'm more worried about an earthquake bringing my tanks down than faulty equipment or human error.

+1 to this.

I also use a baffle-less sump, and I have never had any issues.