to baffle or not to baffle...

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I'm currently running a 50 breeder as a sump/fuge. It has no baffles. Should I add baffles or just keep running it as it is? Opinions and why you feel how you do are appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

[chazde3]

Funny you should bring this up Tom. I am currently running a 40g breeder as a sump without baffles and just cut the glass yesterday to add baffles to it. I am adding them so that there is a consistent level for my skimmer and to section off my fuge.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Funny you should bring this up Tom. I am currently running a 40g breeder as a sump without baffles and just cut the glass yesterday to add baffles to it. I am adding them so that there is a consistent level for my skimmer and to section off my fuge.

Good to know I'm not alone in the baffle-less sump land. My water level is maintained by an osmolator so that's not an issue. However, I do get some macroalgae stuck to the skimmer pump intake, which would be eliminated if I added baffles. Where did you get your glass? I looked at HD and could only find thin stuff.

Tom

[tazzy695]

when I ran my sump I would do a small bubble wall baffle just before the return pump simply to eliminate the bubbles from the skimmer and keep them out of the tank

I got my glass for the skimmer from the local hardware store and the thin window pane glass works just fine for this purpose as there isn't much of any pressure to worry about breaking the baffles

[Tom@HaslettMI]

when I ran my sump I would do a small bubble wall baffle just before the return pump simply to eliminate the bubbles from the skimmer and keep them out of the tank

That's a good point. I hadn't thought of just a single baffle. All long I've been thinking all or nothing.

I got my glass for the skimmer from the local hardware store and the thin window pane glass works just fine for this purpose as there isn't much of any pressure to worry about breaking the baffles

You didn't have an issue with glass breaking during maintenance? I'm a little concerned that I'll break it while cleaning the glass or removing the skimmer.

Tom

[tazzy695]

my baffles were not by the skimmer so i had no issues there they were on the return pump end so the majority of the sump stayed consistently level unless it happened to be over filled due to shutting the return off or something like that

I actualy used 3 baffles total one high main wall a second wall with a gap at the bottom and a third wall that the water had to go up and over to get into the return chamber

this preformed a couple of functions one of which already mention stopped bubbles from the skimmer from getting to the DT and the second was it prevented macro algae and things from getting plugged up in the return pump

as for glass breakage I didn't really worry about it too much as I only accessed that part of the sump once every 3 or 4 months and the only things in there was the return pump and the float switch for my ato

believe it or not the glass is actually very forgiving and can take a decent hit if you are very worried about it breaking go with the acrylic plexy glass instead

[dputt88]

i cant wait to have a sump with baffles. great for organizing and maintaining appropriate water levels.personally i like the 3 baffle design that many use as a bubble trap.

[tcp316]

Where did you get your glass? I looked at HD and could only find thin stuff.

Tom

I bought mine at a glass shop here in Flint, Henderson Glass. I am sure there are glass shops in Lansing that you can choose the thickness. The 1/4" also can bow out with pressure. I was afraid of breaking it as well. I made mine twice. The first time I put in the thin and did not feel good about it so I cut it out and started over.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I bought mine at a glass shop here in Flint, Henderson Glass. I am sure there are glass shops in Lansing that you can choose the thickness. The 1/4" also can bow out with pressure. I was afraid of breaking it as well. I made mine twice. The first time I put in the thin and did not feel good about it so I cut it out and started over.

Thanks for the info! There's a Henderson Glass in the East Lansing area. For some reason I thought they only did auto glass... I'll have to check them out. What glass thickness did you end up using?

Tom

[tcp316]

I went with 1/2" I think. If I remember right. I just took my measurements in and asked them to be sure and polish the edges so they wouldn't be sharp. They did within the hour and I went back to pick it same day.