Roller Mat Sump Kit Options

Roller Mat Sump Kit Options
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.

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.  
Plumbing Guide:

A plumbing guide is a flat plate with holes in it that can be secured to the tank rim to create a neat/convenient place to connect your drain plumbing to your roller mat inlet plumbing. These are shown in the format:

number of holes x size in inches and style of hole. 
2 x 1" Passthrough = a single plate with 2 holes cut to allow 1" pipe to passthrough the plate.

3 x 1" Bulkheads = a single plate with 3 holes cut to accept 1" bulkheads.  Bulkheads are not included.

Media Stand Width (coming soon):

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.