Size of your tank:

Our kits are designed to fit in a tank you already own.  This is the size of the tank you plan to install the baffles into to make you sump or refugium.

Chambers:

Our kits are designed to create distinct chambers in the sump.  Most tanks have the option of 4 or 5 chambers.  Some of the smaller tanks are size constrained to 4 chambers.  Typically, those chambers can be described as follows:

4 Chamber

1. Mechanical filtration (Filter socks, etc.)
2. Equipment/refugium
3. Bubble trap/chemical filtration
4. Return

5 Chamber

1. Mechanical filtration (Filter socks, etc.)
2. Refugium
3. Equipment
4. Bubble trap/chemical filtration
5. Return

Brand of your tank:

Our kits are designed to fit in a tank you already own.  We currently make kits to fit Aqueon and Imagitarium brand tanks.  These tanks will differ in physical dimensions even if they are the same capacity.  An Aqueon 20L has different dimensions than an Imagitarium 20L so the kits for each tank are not compatible with the other.  If you don't know which tank you have, or if you have another brand, please contact us and we can work with you to get the kit you need.

Orientation:

The orientation determines where the inlet holes in the tank will sit once the kit is installed.

Left Hand: This is the most common setup.  The inlet holes will be in the back left of the tank with the water flowing left to right.  The return pump will be on the right.  Alternatively, you can rotate the tank and the inlets will be on the front right with the water flowing right to left.  The return pump would be on the left.

Right Hand: Though less common, the right hand orientation can be the best options for some situations.  The inlet holes will be in the back right of the tank with the water flowing right to left.  The return pump will be on the left .  Alternatively, you can rotate the tank and the inlets will be on the front left with the water flowing left to right.  The return pump would be on the right.

Baffle Height:

The baffle height is how tall the baffles after the sock baffle are in the tank.  This height will set the maximum water depth in the sump when the return pump is running.  Depending on the kit the options will include 8", 10" or 12" tall baffles.  These will allow adjustable water level depths as follows:

8" - Adjustable from 5.5" - 8"
10" - Adjustable from 6.25" - 10"
12" - Adjustable from 7.5" - 12"

If your setup requires different depths please contact us for assistance.  Custom options are available.

Choosing the best depth will depend on your specific situation.  Some things to consider are:

1. Will you be using any equipment which requires a specific water depth?  The most common equipment with specific depth requirements are protein skimmers.  If you plan to use a skimmer with a 9" water depth requirement then you will need to select baffles which are taller than that (10" or 12").
2. Will the baffle height you choose allow enough extra space to retain all the water that drains down from the display tank when your return pump shuts off?  This is a critical consideration to prevent sump overflows.  

Media Stand Width:

The media stands go between the water level weir baffle and the bubble trap baffle.  They are included with the kit but are optional to install.  They are there to support bagged media above the bottom of the tank so water can flow through it and pass under the bubble trap baffle.  The wider the stands, the further apart the two baffles will sit and the more space that section will consume.  Keep in mind that the baffles are 1/4" thick and the weir plate and heads on the thumbscrews also protrude out into the adjoining chambers.  These items add an additional 1" to the total foot print of the bubble trap section.

Inlets:

This is how many inlet holes are in the lid for your plumbing.  For small tank like the 5.5 and 10 gallon we limit these to two (2) holes for 1" PVC pipe.  For tanks 20 gallons and above the standard options go up to three (3).  The most common uses are as follows:

• 1 Inlet - a single inlet line coming from one overfow drain.
• 2 Inlets - Either 2 pipes from 2 overflows drains or a "Herbie" system with one main drain line and a backup emergency drain.
• 3 Inlets - Either 3 pipes from 3 overflows drains, 2 pipes from 2 overflow drains plus an emergency drain or a "Bean Animal" system with one main drain line, a secondary drain line and a backup emergency drain.

Sealed Inlet Holes:

Our lids are CNC cut which allows us to groove the inside of the inlet holes to accept o-ring seals.  This option available exclusively in our kits gives the sealing benefit of bulkheads without the huge space requirements.  This reduces salt creep in the inlet area where it occurs the most while maintaining a compact sock section.  This leaves more space for all the other functions your sump will perform.

Inlet Pipe Kit:

Our pipe kit includes 1" PVC pipes and straight slip/slip pvc couplers for easy connection to your drain plumbing.  The pipes have a relief pattern cut in the end which has three purposes.  The holes allow any air bubbles passing through the pipe to escape out the sides.  This helps keep them from being blown against the bottom of the tank and breaking up into smaller micro bubbles which can pass further into your system.  The also allow the water to escape in over a broader area, lowering high speed turbulance in that chamber further reducing micro bubble production.  Finally, they offer a more polished appearance to the setup.

The pipe kit is optional, Any 1" PVC pipe or tubing of a similar outside diameter will pass through the lid holes just fine.  If you choose the sealed inlet option then you'll want to stick with 1" PVC pipe or similar tubing with the exact same OD as 1" PVC pipe for best results.

Sock Holes:

This is the number and size of the holes in the sock baffle to accept filter socks.  Some things to note here:

Two 7" socks have a lot more filter capacity than three 4" socks.  However, 7" socks have two main drawbacks.

1. They make the sock section up to 2" longer, robbing space from the next chamber.  Using 7" socks will take space away from your refugium or equipment areas.
2. 7" socks are only available from most suppliers in longer lengths than 4" socks.  This can be an issue in shorter tanks like the Aqueon 60 Breeder or the Imagitarium 40 Breeder.  In those tanks, 16" long 7" socks will be heavily bunched up on the bottom of the tank.

Sock Silencers:

These are plastic inserts which fit inside the top ring of your filter socks.  They have small holes in them that allow the water to pass through without making much sound.  They are a nice upgrade and that does an excellent job making your system as quiet as possible.