DIY sump/refuge...baffle question

[TRDfan]

what did you guys/girls use for baffles? if you use acrylic, what size/thickness sheet did you use?? local store has .093 and .220 thickness sheets

 

[Lindsay1718]

I hope someone answers I am trying to figure out how to build one too.

 

[TRDfan]

Im going to be using the .220 thickness plexiglass lindsay. The .093 thickness is too thin/flimsy in my opinion besides i plan to make a overflow with the remaining plexiglass

 

[AquaRick]

I use 1/4" cell cast acrylic. Much less flimsy and easy to cut.

 

[h8z2luze]

I just went to lowes and had glass cut. It's pretty thin but I haven't had any issues. It's just Over 1/16"

 

[Ajm]

I just went to lowes and had glass cut. It's pretty thin but I haven't had any issues. It's just Over 1/16"

How much did lowes charge you to do so?

 

[h8z2luze]

Really cheap. Take your measurements in and they will cut it to what u want. I think for 2 baffles it was like 6 bucks

 

[Ajm]

Really cheap. Take your measurements in and they will cut it to what u want. I think for 2 baffles it was like 6 bucks

Oh wow ill definitely have to look into that for sure. Do you remember the type of epoxy you used to secure them?

 

[h8z2luze]

I used the DAP brand aquarium safe silicone it's in a green tube. But aqueon is better I hear.

 

[Ajm]

I used the DAP brand aquarium safe silicone it's in a green tube. But aqueon is better I hear.

Perfect. Thank you so much

 

[h8z2luze]

Not a problem. Good luck!

 

[Lindsay1718]

Quick add on question, does the baffle height need to be top level my protein skimmer can be in?

 

[Mrc8858]

Quick add on question, does the baffle height need to be top level my protein skimmer can be in?

That's preferred but if that doesn't give you a high enough water level then you can build a skimmer stand out of eggcrate/acrylic

 

[h8z2luze]

Agreed. I didn't have to build a stand for mine just made my water level 10"

 

[mfdrookie516]

You need it to be at least as high as the minimum water level for the skimmer. A stand will only help you adjust the water level if it's too high... it won't help you if it's not high enough.

 

[Mrc8858]

You need it to be at least as high as the minimum water level for the skimmer. A stand will only help you adjust the water level if it's too high... it won't help you if it's not high enough.

Ya I should of been a bit more clear I meant if building to the water level of the skimmer leaves excess room in your sump you can prop it up on a stand to add water volume to your system.

 

[Lindsay1718]

Mine is 6-8" and in using a 20 L tank. Should I build stand for skimmer or just do baffles at 8"?

 

[Mrc8858]

Imo I would build a 2-3" stand to have your first baffle around 10" to allow for a couple more gallons in your sump

 

[Lindsay1718]

Sounds good. One more thing my setup is going to be water enters through filter sick into protein skimmer department then bubble trap, then refugium, the return w/ filter bag of charcoal. My question is I wanted to put a sponge somewhere in it to be able to seed my quarantine tank, any suggestions where that should go? Thanks.

Lindsay

 

[Mrc8858]

Put it inbetween the baffles so all water must flow through it to get to the return pump