Turning a 20L into a Sump

[Bifferwine]

It's fine to have the heater diagonal. When I bought my baffles, I used the thickest plexiglass they had at the store -- and I think that was 1/4".

Do you have a bubble trap before the return pump? Or just one single baffle?

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

The sump is set-up like this:

Skimmer---->Refugium----->Return Pump

The bubble trap is between the skimmer section and refugium section, and then just 1 single baffle separates the refugium from the return pump.

 

[Bifferwine]

In that case, it can be the same height as the baffles for the bubble trap, or shorter. It doesn't really matter.

 

[Sir Alex]

Whats a bubble trap?

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

A bubble trap typically consist of three baffles in a row that break apart the microbubbles in the sump, so that they don't enter your DT.

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

Thanks for the help, Biff. I want to head to the glass shop tomorrow, so I'm trying to make sure I've got everything planned out okay. :helm2:

 

[Bifferwine]

No problem! It should look great when you are done -- post pics!

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

Thanks! I will! :mrgreen:

 

[Sir Alex]

A bubble trap typically consist of three baffles in a row that break apart the microbubbles in the sump, so that they don't enter your DT.

How far apart do you think the three baffles should be? Is one inch enough?

 

[Bifferwine]

One inch is fine. They have to be staggered in height though, with water flowing over the 1st, under the 2nd and over the 3rd.

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

I'm going with 1" because I'm short space in the sump, and it was what was recommended on melevsreef.com. I read that some people space them out further to increase water flow and to make suctioning detritus out easier. I'm not too worried, though. The refugium will come after my bubble trap, and refugiums don't require much flow (in fact too much flow could cause the sand to start blowing around). And, I own a small siphon if I need to suck detritus out of in between the baffles.

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

The glass shop just cut the baffles! $16 for all of them (which was a third of the price I thought it would be), and they cut them for me right on the spot!! :mrgreen:

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

Another question: How do you silicone the bubble trap? It seems like I'm going to encounter some difficulties trying to silicone the bubble trap baffles in place since there is only going to be 1" of space for me to fit the silicone bottle and my hand into. Do you use an extended nozzle for the silicone bottle, or what? Thank you :)

 

[fastrd400]

You can use an old piece of airline to attach to the tip of the silicone.

 

[SaltwaterNoob17]

Good idea! Thanks!!

 

[fastrd400]

LMAO, yup, that's why I thought of it.