Empty tank as a sump - No compartments
 

I am still planning things and wanted to do a real basic sump. Essentially a place to house a heater, protein skimmer, and carbon/GFO reactor.

I see a lot of sumps that have glass pieces siliconed in, bubble traps, etc

http://i49.tinypic.com/smww1i.jpg

Is there a big problem just using a tank without any of those separate compartments?

Can I just put a skimmer, reactor, heater, return pump, etc into a tank and leave it at that?

I don't have any compartments in mine and I've run that way for about 8 years now. I do have a filter sock tied to the overflow in the sump to reduce bubbles (no matter what mods I make I can't seem to reduce the bubbles) but thats about it. I have the usual suspects in there, heater, skimmer, couple phosban reactors for carbon etc and a zeovit reactor. Key is to have the length of the sump for bubble reduction (ie tank output at one end, return at the other end).

As mentioned already, baffles help with preventing micro bubbles from getting back into your display. Also, baffles can help keep your skimmer compartment at a constant level so it can operate properly. I prefer to break out areas in my sump but like christy said, you don't technically need them.

Its also super easy to get silicone in one or two or three pieces of glass to stop micro bubbles. The glass needed would be really cheap to have cut.

I've only got 2 baffles in my sump. One to keep a constant level for the skimmer and one for the water to travel under to block bubbles.

I highly recommend putting in the baffles, you will regret it if you don't. All I did the first time was buy some plexi from home depot. That way I could cut it at home, and then just silicone it in. I don't have micro bubbles and my skimmer works great because the level is always the same

Its all about the skimmer and the water level. I had one witout baffles and now one with and I would never set up a sump without a skimmer compartment again. You auto top off works way better too if its in a small compartement. Plexy glass and fishtank safe silicone is all you need. make sure you get fishtank safe though, some silicone will leach into the water. Your LFS should have some...

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14...845844f2a0.jpg


No baffles, no micro bubbles

Was running a herbie and overflow

A quality skimmer also helps

I use a single baffle, this keeps water level perfect for skimmer, gives me smaller fluctuating compartment for the auto topoff.

Sheesh, couldn't you have more cords or salt creep in there or something? We could do a TOTM off that sump :razz: