Baffles

ribs · 03-24-2002, 12:54 PM

Hi all,
Getting ready to set the baffles in the sump I'm making, and would like feedback on the locations and positions before I cement them in.
Flow will be around 750-1000gph, I haven't decided on the pump/flow yet, but it's around there.
Thanks!!

Doug1 · 03-24-2002, 01:01 PM

Looks good, you may want to have about an inch under the under baffle.
Also try to figure out how much throughput you have actually going thru the skimmer and not exceed that for total flowrate thru the sump, that way you get max efficiency from the skimmer

ribs · 03-24-2002, 01:24 PM

So by efficiency you mean that I'd want the water flowing over the second baffle to be mostly from the skimmer output, right? At least that's what I should shoot for when deciding on a return pump? Match or slightly exceed the mag12/skimmer flow?
I'm still deciding on a return pump, smaller the better because it's a tight fit down under the stand. Maybe a T3, but I'll get flow specs from the skimmer dude and see how it goes.
I'll also have a closed loop, so fortunately sump flow can be tweaked alittle.
Btw, this is for a 120g reef, with a 17x17x19 refugium next to the 120.

....and I thought the 4" space on the under baffle was alot hehe. I'll move it up to 5", assuming this'll help decrease turbulence in there?

Anyone else have feedback, too?

ribs · 03-24-2002, 01:27 PM

Doh! You said move the under baffle down!!! Will that be better for de-bubblerizing?

Casie · 03-24-2002, 01:45 PM

Looks good to me. =D Remember to space your probes about 3 inches apart to ensure that they do not interfere with each other. =)

I won't admit to knowing much about optimum flow rate or baffle placement, but Doug's suggestions sound right on.... as always!

ribs · 03-24-2002, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the probe spacing tip!

Doug1 · 03-24-2002, 07:34 PM

An inch under clearence should be fine and will drive the water farther down increasing dwell time, allowing more bubble to float up.
IMO opinion flow rates exceeding the thruput of the skimmer allow unskimmed water to get thru, and skimming is the point of having a Beckett skimmer, eh
you can slow it down esp if your using a closed loop to increase in tank circulation any way. Generally slower drain rates make less noise

ribs · 03-24-2002, 08:38 PM

That's it, I'm going to get to it.
I'll put the first (left) baffle in, to raise the air generated from the tank overflows, then the second one to raise any skimmer generated microbubbles, then I'll install the sump, make everything up and run it for a while. Maybe even increase bubblies entering the sump just to test, with an airstone in the overflow section. If I don't like what I see, I'll add the 3rd baffle (under), with about an inch clearance at the bottom and see the results from adding that much more 'dwell'. If that isn't up to par, last resort would be the fourth baffle, being another 'over' one, giving the microbubbles one last chance to fly towards the heavens.
I predict alittle difficulty adding baffles with sump under the tank, but I tend to overglue anyways, maybe the cement drippies will all flow to the bottom instead of squirting out sideways

Doug1 · 03-24-2002, 08:55 PM

Its all R and D till it works for you
remember the higher the last wall the nore noise and bubbles in the return side. Allow for tank draindown if the pumps off