Sump with no baffles?

[NittyGritty]

What are your guys thoughts on this? I have a 20 gallon tall I'm going to be swapping my current, extremely narrow sump out for. I need as much room as possible for pumps and I won't be implementing a fuge due to using bio pellets. I have an ATO to keep the water level stable for the skimmer and can add a pre-filter to my mag 9 to reduce micro bubbles. So I'm thinking just a open sump will give me what I need. Am I not thinking of something?

 

[SGT_York]

I'd still add a baffle for the sump level. While an ATO will keep it level there will still be fluxuations unless the ATO is constantaly switching on/off which will be hard on the pump. Better to have the ATO come on for a minute each time to let the pump run instead of constantly cycling the starter.

 

[NittyGritty]

That is a good point

 

[SGT_York]

Just FYI baffles are not near as challenging as they appear to be. They also don't need to be perfect by any means just good enough to hold the acrylic in place. There is an easy equasion to help figure out how much silicone you need. P=plenty.

 

[NittyGritty]

Lol

 

[sparky45]

I have a 20l under my 40b with no baffles. My water level doesn't fluctuate and my ato pump doesn't run constantly.

 

[mrandersonxd]

I second sparky, I run a 40g frag tank and have a stock 20g underneath with an ATO. Never have problems, 2 year old tunze osmolator FWIW.

 

[NittyGritty]

Good to know

 

[evonano]

or u can fill it up with rocks

 

[ReeferNC]

I'd personally be more concerned about the prefilter on the return pump becoming a nitrate factory. I just don't like using any filter socks or foam pads personally. In the end it would just be something to be mindful of and clean/change regularly.

 

[NittyGritty]

I wash my socks weekly, this could easily go in rotation.

 

[ca1ore]

My water level doesn't fluctuate and my ato pump doesn't run constantly.

In a absolute senses this is, of course, not possible. The only way to keep the water level in your sump perfectly constant is by having replenishment exactly equal evaporation which means a pump running continuously. Most ATO systems use a float which has a travel range between on and off - it is this range that determines the degree to which the level will fluctuate in the sump. The travel range will also determine the frequency with which the ATO pump is activated.

The float switches I use maintain a differential of about 1/2 an inch, which is more than acceptable.

 

[sparky45]

You are correct. My sump level goes down due to evaporation. My flat switch only let's 3 Turkey baster's of water leave my system before it kicks in.