Reconfigurable baffles!

In the never-ending world of upgrading/adding equipment, wouldn't it be great if we could reconfigure our entire sump in less than 10 minutes?

If you have a glass sump and want to add acrylic baffles, we all know silicone just doesnt seem to cut it.

Enter the world of pressure locking baffles! baffles

I went to home depot the other day, picked up some EPDM weatherstripping and an acrylic sheet, and after 30 minutes with a typical wood cutting power saw, had three baffles reading to install.

Putting them in was super easy, and then seemed to hold a seal pretty well. I'll update with long term results after a while, and maybe a pic (but the link has pretty much the same pics). Feel free to ask questions.

 

Sacul 1573

I have not seen anything like this before
I can appreciate the benefit, as explained, being able to increase footprint area when upgrading a skimmer for example, would be neat IMO

Thanks for sharing

Steve

 

They've been in use now for about a week, and I'm sold. In a low pressure environment, why would people not use these? The original layout I had allowed too many microbubbles into the DT, and so I've already reconfigured, changing the ups and downs a little, and now no more bubbles!

If I had sealed the acrylic in place with my original design, I would have been screwed.

I did have to take one out and reapply the weatherstripping on one end after my reconfig (30 second fix), but all else seems great.

I'll update in a month or so w/long term impressions.

 

I saw that about a year ago. Cool idea, but doesn't last the long haul. A user on here tried this as well, but had the baffles fall apart after a month or so.

 

i tried this and it did not hold long term. I think it was because i wanted a taller fuge on one side. It was a disaster. That baffle caved in a couple of times, filling my pump and sump with sand. Finally after rebuilding 2 times i gave up and got some glass and did it right. If your water level is about the same in all chambers i could see it working, but looking back on it I would never go back and like the security of knowing that nothing is going to move.

 

My fuge is taller on one side like you're describing, but I opted to seal that part in the "right" way, because I suspected a baffle would not hold... The pressure locking baffles are only good for low pressure areas, like simply guiding water, which is what mine are used for.

 

We've had the weather stripping in a tank for at least 5 years now. You put it in right, you won't have a problem.

 

this is what i've been looking for!

 

The article did specify that it wasn't for use where the water on one side would be significantly higher than the water on the other side.

I like it and is perfect for the baffles between your skimmer and return (as it's meant for)so I can get it just right so I won't have microbubbles, as Sacul1573 stated.

I'll be doing my frst sump soon and this info is perfect because I know I'll be getting a better skimmer and this way I don't have to guess or plan for the biggest one...I can adjust it later when I get it.

 

I went this route because of the unplanned upgrades in the future, but IMO, the real benefit is being able to adjust your baffling to get the flow right to reduce bubble/noise.

Glad you're going to try it. Let us know how it works!