What size sump needed for no baffles?

[daveverdo]

I read a few places that if a sump is large enough you do not need baffles.

I was planning on using a rubbermaid trough as a sump. I have seen many pictures of others using these and wondered if they put baffles in and if so how did they do it.

If there aren't any baffles what size is big enough. I am going to set up a tank in the 90-120 gal range and planned to have a sump in the basement (1 floor below the tank).

Would the 100gal rubbermaid be large enough not to have problem without baffles?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/detail.asp?pcID=8&paID=1039&sonID=214&page=5&productID=24965&zz=14905

Dave

 

[Racing1]

That should be fine. I had a 50 gallon rubbermaid for a sump and it worked fine. no bubbles returned to the display... No baffles needed

 

[barbra]

I run a 60g sump on my 120 and I have no bubbles and no baffles. That 100 should more than do it. You may actually need to add a powerhead to maintain enough water movement within it.

 

[sean48183]

I have a 90g sump on my new 150g that I am setting up. I only put one baffle in to divide my fuge from the skimmer and return section. I don't think bubbles will be a problem because the return pump will be so deep. It will be about 20" below water surface. I think you will be fine with a 100g sump and no baffles.

 

[krowleey]

i use a 40 breeder and no baffels, and no bubbles.

 

[poppin_fresh]

I have a 100g stock tank in the basement. I used the built in bulkhead to supply the return pump (GenX Mak4) and I run about 500gph up to the display, the rest is returned to the sump. Even with the skimmer about 8" away from the drain of the stock tank I have no microbubbles.

 

[poppin_fresh]

FWIW... you can use a 10 gallon unbaffled and have no micro bubbles if the sump turnover is low enough. The bubbles simply need time to rise to the surface before they are sucked into the pump.

 

[reefergeorge]

I use a 20L with a mag 9.5 and filter sock and have no bubbles.

 

[pledosophy]

The smallest I have gone was a 5.5g sump on a 20g tank, no baffles, worked fine. Just make sure the intake for the pump is low enough. Now if my drain had ever become clogged, I would have been screwed.