Baffles

[Michelle L]

How high should baffles be mounted off of the bottom of a sump? I was thinking two inches might be about right.

Also, how far apart should they be placed? Again, I was thinking a couple of inches.

Thanks!

[smorrow5773]

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[Michelle L]

I must be missing it somewhere. I refer to Melevsreef.com frequently and have found every measurement known to man, but haven't spotted the measurements of how high the baffles should be placed...? :confused:

[smorrow5773]

I found it in there, but 1" between and 1" up, or for high flow sumps...2".

[LegoZ81]

"Your first piece goes to the floor. The next one should be raised up about 1" from the floor of the sump, and then third one goes back to the floor of the sump." - MelvesReef.com

Your goal is low velocity and the maximium downward travel I'd make the the distance from the bottom of the sump be the same as the gap between the baffles. It's not quite what I did with mine but close.

Here is a pic of how i did my sump.
http://a5.cpimg.com/image/59/9F/57437785-18f0-02000180-.jpg

[Michelle L]

Ah HA! I knew it was there somewhere. Melev's site is too complete to not have it listed. I am notorious for scanning pages too fast.

Thanks so much for the advice (again!) :)

[w2]

For ease of spacing, when I placed my "up" baffle, I set the acrylic on a 2X4 laid on it's long side (the "4" side down). This equals 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the sump.

[tcottle]

I used 1" spacing - anything more would would have been a waste. I spaced mine with machinists 123blocks because precision is important in a sump :rolleyes:


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9648/sump9sz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[w2]

HEY! I recognize that skimmer! Working good for you, Todd?

As for precision, everything else in the sump was measure with a yardstick, marked with chalk, and cut with a chainsaw. That's as precise as I get! :)

[tcottle]

I set up a prop tank about a month ago. It is still cycling and the best that I have gotten from the skimmer is wet skimmate. I believe that this is due to the light biological load in the tank and not the skimmer. You are right - it's a bit tweaky - small adjustments and patience are necessary!