baffles in rubbermaid sump

I think you'd have to get a roto-zip and cut some acrylic sheets to really close sizes. You could also try putting in buckets to keep the level high, and feed the overflows directly into those buckets. Good luck.

 

I've used buckets to create different 'chambers' in a large sterilite tote. Works pretty well, and you can have one just for your skimmer.

 

Any household plastic bucket or other container is okay, I'd just buy it new and you'll know nothing has been in or on it. I've used various sizes of the plastic storage totes/boxes you can get at walmart. Lots to choose from and pretty inexpensive.

 

I was considering going the bucket route myself but if you figure something out with baffles I think I may prefer that

 

If you must go the baffle route, get some thick cardboard and use a roto-zip to cut out a single sheet of acrylic that will fit it. Cut it big the first time and test fit it multiple times until you get it just right. It needs to be real snug since it's a funny shape. Then I'm not exactly sure what to reinforce it with. I don't know if 100% silicone will hold it or if weld-on will bond to the rubbermade. Maybe someone else can chime in on this one.

 

Once you get a piece of acrylic that fits good you could test fit it in multiple places and use that piece as a template for another piece if you need more then one...

 

i'd use cardboard to do the templating then cut the acrylic to that.

 

The way the tanks are molded, I think the sides are the same all around (obviously not the angle, but the stepping of the side walls), so if you were going to make a template, you should just have to create one side template. Once you have that, you should just be able to flip it and use it for the other side. Assuming that's the case, then all you would need to do is measure the distance at the top to complete your final test fit pattern. It shouldn't be that difficult...and if you make a few small mistakes, you can cover them in silicone.

Good luck, take pics and publish your process and outcome.

--AJ

 

i made a baflle for my 100 gall rubbermade sump to seperate the refugium from the return just made it out of acrylic. doesn't look the greatest but it works. you could also try setting your skimmer ontop of a all plastic milk crate to raise it higher so you can have a higher water level