Sump baffle question

[saltwaterexotic]

I'm look to get the most gallons in my return area and was wondering does those 3 baffles need to be same height meaning he two outer baffles are 9" and center baffle is 12" with 1" off floor and 1" apart. Could I raise the return side baffle without any affect of water flowing if I went say 10"" high on just one baffle on return side .

 

[woodnaquanut]

I believe the highest baffle will determine the height before (upstream?) of the return section. Of course if you add more water than the highest baffle, they both will be below water level. That's not a problem as long as the sump can still hold all the drain down when the return pump is off and the skimmer is not in water too deep.

 

[saltwaterexotic]

thanks

 

[uncleof6]

I believe the highest baffle will determine the height before (upstream?) of the return section. Of course if you add more water than the highest baffle, they both will be below water level. That's not a problem as long as the sump can still hold all the drain down when the return pump is off and the skimmer is not in water too deep.

This is a problem, as when the water level is above the highest baffle, water flows over the surface of the sump, and is not processed by whatever is in the involved sections of the sump.

For instance, a sump configuration: skimmer -> return <- fuge... (but would be the same for any configuration.)

If the skimmer and return sections are the same height water level wise, (water above the higher baffle) water will flow past the skimmer section to the return section without making it through the skimmer... it will also form an organic slick on the surface, which inhibits gas exchange. Water will go past the skimmer without being processed anyway, but that really is not the point. Don't add to the "problem."

This may seem to be a trivial matter, however, if this is an acceptable practice or can be considered ok, what is the point of having baffles in the first place... the answer is no point. If we continue to advise folks that "everything" is ok, the hobby will never get to the point that there are more folks that know how this stuff really works, than there are that do not.

 

[d0ughb0y]

Your baffle dimensions are correct. To get more volume in return section, just position the baffles further away from the return end. You want the return section to be able to take all the water from the display beyond the overflow when return pump is off without going over the 9" baffle. This way, you can keep your skimmer running even when return pump is off since the skimmer section water level will stay at 9" at all times.

 

[saltwaterexotic]

Will consider thanks. I'm still in design stage on new sump. Another question how do you guys do the wall for the refugium if in glass so chateo don't go over and get chopped up in pump can't do teeth on glass wall ?