Are Baffles really needed in larger setups?

[Treefer32]

So, I've got a 75 gallon tank that had been modified to be a sump (essentially 3 glass baffles to create the return "chamber". Are these needed. I'm looking at redoing my sump, plumbing and everything to be neater, easier to maintain, and fit more equipment. For my overflow rate, I'll probably need 2 Large Bubble magus roller mats (eliminating filter socks!). I don't have room for two filter rollers, my massive skimmer, and ATS unless I remove the three glass baffles. We have to drain the sump anyways to redo some of the plumbing and reposition the sump.

MY ATS is plumbed off my return pump, so, I was planning to run the ATS directly over the top of the Return area. Remove the baffles, move the skimmer to be in between the middle 3rd of the sump and move my heaters to be in between the overflow area and skimmer, and hard plumbing "Y" fashion splitting into two 1.5" overflows off of the primary into two large bubble magus filter rollers.

I realize ATO will be a bit odd at maintaining the level of the entire sump vs. just the return section. If I need a return section, then I'd probably end up shrinking the return section to be half the size it is now, and just use two custom made acrylic baffles.

I would prefer to just remove the baffles and control the overall water level of the sump. I've got a great ATO that can run my top off pump up to 99 seconds before shutting off as a fail safe. So, I think it could easily keep up with the level of the entire sump. My total water volume is in the neighborhood of 350-375 gallons (340g display and 75g sump about half full).

I've had this 75 gallon on multiple tanks for 8 years, and I'm ready now to go to the next level of roller mats vs. socks! (My wife is too.. she gave me the go ahead to buy anything I need to get rid of filtersocks going in the clothes washer. ) I'm pretty sure that's within reason...

 

[shwareefer]

If the skimmer bubbles stay out of your display, and the entire sump is at the skimmer's required depth, there is zero reason to have baffles. A few people on this forum run wide open sumps.

 

[Poochaku]

You can do this if you're really confident in your ato accuracy. Skimmer tuning might be a bit annoying.

Personally I would just keep 1 set of baffles for a return chamber. Otherwise everything else can be the same.

Honestly don't understand high end sump design. Open sump design is endgame imo.

 

[X-37B]

I run a 40 breeder with no baffles on my 120 and 45 frag system.
I run a 7" sock, 9430dc skimmer,
Lifegaurd media reactor, and a modified 6" Skimz media reactor I made into a carx.
My Tunze ato is very sensative and only runs for maybe 15 seconds keeping everything very stable.

 

[Billldg]

I feel the more baffles the better. It will help to smooth out the flow in the sump, thus, create less micribubbles and such.

 

[workhz]

My baffles failed about 4-5 months ago. Haven't fixed them. I even have a spare 29 gallon sump and have been meaning to do it but haven't gotten around to it. ATO keep water level constant enough. One of the failed baffles does kinda lay over/on top of the return pump and I think that helps keep bubbles out of the DT.

 

[homer1475]

Baffles also provide room for the water to fall, and exchange gases.

I see no reason you need baffles, as long as the water height is maintained for the skimmer, and you don't get micro bubbles in the display.

 

[dwest]

I haven’t run baffles in years. I like the flexibility of the wide open space.

 

[Treefer32]

I run a 40 breeder with no baffles on my 120 and 45 frag system.
I run a 7" sock, 9430dc skimmer,
Lifegaurd media reactor, and a modified 6" Skimz media reactor I made into a carx.
My Tunze ato is very sensative and only runs for maybe 15 seconds keeping everything very stable.

My skimmer alone is 12" wide and with the pump is closer to 16-18". It takes up about 1/3 of my entire 75 gallon sump. I don't know if it does 1/3rd of the work.. But, it's dirty. so, there's that!
I like the open concept. I'm leaning towards that as well. My skimmer is sitting on an egg crate stand to maintain the appropriate water level. So, I May go completely open and modify the skimmer stand to be at the appropriate depth and call it good.

 

[dedragon]

The overall water that needs to evaporate would be more than if using an ato in a sectioned off return section so it may keep the salinity a bit more stable just by adding one piece of acrylic at the return side. Microbubbles would be the only thing i would be concerned about as well but you could also throw one of these in there to block microbubbles, i use the green one should handle around 1000gph flow just fine, the black would be if you were running even more flow, or make a standard bubble trap baffle with a second piece of acrylic

Aquamesh Black 1 - Extra Coarse - Lifegard

Progressive density mesh mechanical filtration system can be used as a system or separately. Aquamesh #1 is great for removal of large debris and free floating particles most commonly used as a first stage to allow longer use of finer stages between cleanings. Dimensions:19.5" x 24" x 1.5"...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Aquamesh Green 2 - Coarse - Lifegard

Progressive density mesh mechanical filtration system can be used as a system or separately. Aquamesh #2 is great for almost all filtration applications from capturing free floating detritus to removing microbubbles. Aquamesh #2 and #3 are the most common used. Dimensions:19.5" x 24" x 1.5"...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[dedragon]

Open isnt a bad option at all though especially with a good ato system

 

[landlubber]

if the skimmer is happy, heaters are safe and you're just stuffing equipment into a space then its fine without but it sure limits future adaptability. a refugium for instance sure needs its own divider or things get messy quick. eggcrate is another decent alternative to partition a sump

 

[X-37B]

My skimmer alone is 12" wide and with the pump is closer to 16-18". It takes up about 1/3 of my entire 75 gallon sump. I don't know if it does 1/3rd of the work.. But, it's dirty. so, there's that!
I like the open concept. I'm leaning towards that as well. My skimmer is sitting on an egg crate stand to maintain the appropriate water level. So, I May go completely open and modify the skimmer stand to be at the appropriate depth and call it good.

That skimmer sounds massive.
My Tunze 9430dc takes up maybe 1/3 of my sump, 36", but it is super efficient. Its rated to 925g's or 270g's full sps. My system is 120g's.
The return pump is less than 6" away from the skimmers discharge and I have zero micro bubbles. I pull 300ml a day of skim.
Very underrated skimmers.

No baffles makes servicing your sumps equipment simple.

 

[X-37B]

if the skimmer is happy, heaters are safe and you're just stuffing equipment into a space then its fine without but it sure limits future adaptability. a refugium for instance sure needs its own divider or things get messy quick. eggcrate is another decent alternative to partition a sump

Your right! However Most sumps are really not big enough to get the full effects of a proper fuge, imo. Plus I dont want light in my sump if I can help it.

 

[Yodeling]

Baffles are a relic from the old times before ATOs became a thing. No reason for them whatsoverer.

 

[G Santana]

30 gallon long, no baffles

 

[Dbichler]

My Sump is open as well why use baffles with ato.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I use eggcrate baskets. One has live rock rubble, one has cheato. One has a larger piece of life rock. My sump is a standard 40 gal. Tunze ato works great.