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Aquarist Forums => Equipment / DIY => Topic started by: FocusFin on September 28, 2009, 12:06:41 PM

Title: Baffle height?
Post by: FocusFin on September 28, 2009, 12:06:41 PM

I'm installing baffles in a 18 inch high 47 gallon. I would like them to be as high as possible so I'm thinking 15 inch with the center baffle between 16 and 16.5 inch high. The drainage from my display is 1.5 inch maximum so with 1.5 inches to spare is there any reason I shouldn't make the baffles that high?

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: Vincenzo. on September 29, 2009, 08:36:36 AM
i guess it depends.. How much rock are u putting? With lots of rock u'll have less water with lower baffles. With higher baffles u can have more rock. ya go higher.. U get more water volume.

And u can always make the first chamber the fuge with one low baffle at the bottom and one comming from the top with a small gap between the 2. So water will flow between them.

Followed by all the baffles u want.
Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: mikerobart on September 29, 2009, 08:47:02 AM
If your talking about baffles for a sump, if your running an in sump skimmer that is going to be a major determining factor, unless you want to just go with the tall baffles and then sit the skimmer on a stand, as I was forced to do. 
Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: FocusFin on September 29, 2009, 09:04:04 AM
Quote from: mikerobart on September 29, 2009, 08:47:02 AM
If your talking about baffles for a sump, if your running an in sump skimmer that is going to be a major determining factor, unless you want to just go with the tall baffles and then sit the skimmer on a stand, as I was forced to do. 

Thanks guys,

My main objective was to use as much of the sump volume as possible. However, in looking for a new skimmer I've realized that the skimmer will have to sit 7 to 8 inches high in the sump which will mean that my choice of octopus/vertex/swc will be sitting 3 feet high. The sump is behind my display tank so I don't know if it matters but it is a consideration.
Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: groupie02 on September 30, 2009, 10:59:14 PM
in 16" high sumps, a lot of folks are using 9" baffles with the middle one being higher by 1-1.5".  This allows for easy maintenance and access into the sump. Also, it provides with enough room for extra water in case of a power outage.
Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: FocusFin on September 30, 2009, 11:04:30 PM
Quote from: groupie02 on September 30, 2009, 10:59:14 PM
in 16" high sumps, a lot of folks are using 9" baffles with the middle one being higher by 1-1.5".  This allows for easy maintenance and access into the sump. Also, it provides with enough room for extra water in case of a power outage.

I'm cleaning the silicone of my hands as we speak. Too late, I went with 14 inch but have calculated that for the tank to drain it will only raise the sump level 1.5 inches. This is an 18 inch high sump so by your example 11 inch baffles would be comparable. I'm out by three inches. :-\
Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: groupie02 on September 30, 2009, 11:34:52 PM
well, you calculated it and you should be fine.  The easy solution will be to test it once the silicone is fully cured.  If you don't feel safe, go back to square one and remove the baffles, cut them down and reinstall them.  It's just more work...

Title: Re: Baffle height?
Post by: FocusFin on September 30, 2009, 11:41:45 PM
Quote from: groupie02 on September 30, 2009, 11:34:52 PM
well, you calculated it and you should be fine.  The easy solution will be to test it once the silicone is fully cured.  If you don't feel safe, go back to square one and remove the baffles, cut them down and reinstall them.  It's just more work...

Well, I used your overflow design in my tank so you haven't steered me wrong yet ;)