Sump design question

[Balz3352]

Do I need another baffle on left? Water moves right to left

 

[Balz3352]

This is obviously the end of the sump were outlet for pump will be

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

My sump is like yours is now, sometimes I wonder if one more baffle before the return pump would further reduce micro bubbles?

 

[szavoda]

My sump is like yours is now, sometimes I wonder if one more baffle before the return pump would further reduce micro bubbles?

Correct, to get the most benefit, you need to have 3 baffles.

 

[Balz3352]

Should it be over under over or under over under?

 

[szavoda]

Over - Under - Over

 

[SynDen]

Over - Under - Over

+1

 

[szavoda]

BTW - the baffle that you currently have is pretty wide (by the pic - although that could be deceiving). If you are running tight on space, the third baffle can be closer. The only real downside is that it becomes harder to clean in between.

 

[FishTV]

I don't think you need another baffle, pending your water level in your return chamber. In my most recent sump design, I only run about 1/4" lower in my return chamber, resulting in no micro bubbles. I also don't run my water level so high that I have to worry about overflow, so in my opinion, it really depends on the setup of the rest of your sump.

 

[szavoda]

Correct, but a third baffle will reduce bubbles. As the water rushes down the first baffle and then under the second, a certain percentage of the bubbles will make it under the second baffle and are exposed to the pump.

If you pump intake is far enough away from the baffles, you will probably have no micro-bubbles. However, if that is not possible, or the bubbles still find their way to the intake, a third baffle will give the bubbles a chance to rise and pop before entering the return section.

However, to FishTV's point, if the water level in the return pump area is too low, then the water will "crash" into the return section from the third baffle and create new bubbles. Actually - this is a good indicator for you. If you start to see micro-bubbles or (in my case) hear the cascade of the water, you can be sure that your ATO is probably not functioning as expected. Mine can cascade about 2 inches before it becomes an issue. Mileage will vary based on depth, etc...

 

[Balz3352]

You guys aren't very helpful half say one way other half say the other. I plan on return chamber being pretty full baffle is 9in tall I'll probably run just below that.

 

[Balz3352]

Well threw an extra baffle in. Had a piece that I could jerry rig in that I cut too small earlier in the build so 3 baffles it it