Sump design, why so many chambers?

[jorjef]

Making a slow crawl to a larger tank with a sump, never having had a sump I always wondered why so many chambers. Other than a refuge and getting rid of micro bubbles is there really a need to divide up a sump and what would the disadvantages be to having a sump with zero baffles?

[Aquattro]

I only have a single baffle to control water height, leaves me a lot more room for equipment. And easier to clean

[daplatapus]

Clean? You're supposed to clean your sump? lol

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by daplatapus

Clean? You're supposed to clean your sump? lol

Duh, of course. Every three years. Mine gets done next month

[jorjef]

I'm guessing it has something to do with the water level for the skimmer

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by jorjef

I'm guessing it has something to do with the water level for the skimmer

Exactly. Not required to keep level, but an easy way. If you had auto topoff with a float valve, that would work too.

[Reef Pilot]

In my last sump that I built, I use a float valve with my ATO to control water levels for my skimmer, and then just one set of baffles to trap bubbles before the return chamber. Works fine.

[jorjef]

Okay this is sounds good. I'm trying to re-define the K.I.S.S. design to the overflow and sump but must be flood proof. The sump will likely be the existing 77 gallon display which is being replaced with a 150. I had some advise to have two 1.5" drains, one main, one emergency and decided on just one return.