Cons of a baffle less sump
- Thread starter cdrewferd
- Start date
Heck yeah! You already know my thoughts, have to say though one of my favorite features about my system is that I skipped the baffles in my sump.
I'm still able to have the sump do everything I wanted it to (including DSB thanks to a Rubbermaid container)...I totally revamped my sump plan and it didn't require pulling any baffles out...down the road I could do on the fly changes similarly...I was able to experiment with ideal water line (for skimmer etc) and make adjustments without having to take my sump offline and mess with baffles...only downside is that I won't have perfect inline waterflow through, such as through successive sump chambers, but I really don't think that's a big deal...
To me personally, the biggest reason I like baffle less is due to water changes. Baffle less let's me do up to 40% water changes very fast and directly from the sump if I want, with much less effort than if I had to mess with complexity that baffles would add (including I may need to move pump to/from sump/display). Some people wouldn't benefit from this...I never anticipated this to be a good reason to skip baffles...but now that I run my tank/changes this way it is a huge plus for my maintenance routine and 100% glad I don't have baffles.
I'm still able to have the sump do everything I wanted it to (including DSB thanks to a Rubbermaid container)...I totally revamped my sump plan and it didn't require pulling any baffles out...down the road I could do on the fly changes similarly...I was able to experiment with ideal water line (for skimmer etc) and make adjustments without having to take my sump offline and mess with baffles...only downside is that I won't have perfect inline waterflow through, such as through successive sump chambers, but I really don't think that's a big deal...
To me personally, the biggest reason I like baffle less is due to water changes. Baffle less let's me do up to 40% water changes very fast and directly from the sump if I want, with much less effort than if I had to mess with complexity that baffles would add (including I may need to move pump to/from sump/display). Some people wouldn't benefit from this...I never anticipated this to be a good reason to skip baffles...but now that I run my tank/changes this way it is a huge plus for my maintenance routine and 100% glad I don't have baffles.
The only prob i see is that your top off would have far more fluctuations. More salinity fluctuations would cause additional stress on fish and corals in my opinion, that's why you try to keep the salinity so stable. Otherwise i wouldn't see anything else it would effect in a negative way
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Yeah there are a few other planning steps you'd have to take to avoid these things. I don't have any fluctuation on my ATO as my surface water line is steady. I achieve this by letting the overflow drain down a length of PVC well below the water line, then placing my ATO sensor far enough away from the slight ripples that remain.
I also use a square cut piece of filter pad that serves as more of a "filter wall" than "filter sock" in sump. This also cuts down on surface line rippling, and you can buy 30x36" sheets (then cut to size) for dirt cheap on drs foster smith site. This ends up being way cheaper than filter socks, as far as I can tell.
Here's a pic to try to show what I'm explaining in my sump. Far right is overflow drain, to left is "filter wall", to left is my DSB, and ATO sensor is placed just left of where picture shows.[attachment=63175:name]
I also use a square cut piece of filter pad that serves as more of a "filter wall" than "filter sock" in sump. This also cuts down on surface line rippling, and you can buy 30x36" sheets (then cut to size) for dirt cheap on drs foster smith site. This ends up being way cheaper than filter socks, as far as I can tell.
Here's a pic to try to show what I'm explaining in my sump. Far right is overflow drain, to left is "filter wall", to left is my DSB, and ATO sensor is placed just left of where picture shows.[attachment=63175:name]
IMO 1 baffle is the best of both worlds. You can keep the skimmer at a constant level, even if your ato malfunctions, but you have the flexibility I think you want. I have done the rubber made seep sand bed thing in the past as well as no baffles. Go for it if you want. My only regret was wanting the 1 baffle.
For the ATO concerns, what I do is a put a delay on my controller.
I have a float sensor (2 actually) When the main one senses low water level in the sump, the controller actually delays the ATO from turing off for 5 minutes. The Sensor has to remain triggered for a full 5 minutes before the ATO will kick on. That way you don't get the fluctuations.
I have a float sensor (2 actually) When the main one senses low water level in the sump, the controller actually delays the ATO from turing off for 5 minutes. The Sensor has to remain triggered for a full 5 minutes before the ATO will kick on. That way you don't get the fluctuations.
Code:
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Switch1 CLOSED Then ON
Defer 005:00 Then ONHow about the problem of overflow failure. In the case that your overflow gets clogged or just discontinues operation your return pump would empty your sump into your main tank. And hence cause a flood which in size would be dictated by sump size. In the case of one or more baffles, specifically a baffle dedicated to your return pump your overflow would fill the sump. Then the pump would empty the remaining overflow water until it leveled with your baffles after this it would empty the return pump chamber and begin to suck air. Is this a legitimate concern?
Have you ever checked into the "duplex sump concept"? He talks about using eggcrate instead of baffles as he suggests the algae breaks up the bubbles. He also talks about most of us using too large of a return pump and has good reasons to back it up.IMO I just ordered an acrylic box that I am thinking about adding acrylic slots so I can remove or adjust the baffles.
If you have dual return, it shouldn't be a problem. If one gets clogged you have the other one for water to drain from.
I have tested in on my system. Cap 1 of the 2 returns. Eventually the open return starts a siphon when it cant keep up with the extra flow. Drains until it breaks the siphon, and then repeats.
I have tested in on my system. Cap 1 of the 2 returns. Eventually the open return starts a siphon when it cant keep up with the extra flow. Drains until it breaks the siphon, and then repeats.