Why I don't like gluing 1" baffles

[NY Acrylics]

I really don't like gluing baffles 1" apart. Firstly, I don't believe baffles work at all unless the distance between them is matched to your water's flow speed. Secondly, I can't glue them well because my hands are too big. I'll get one side fine but the middle baffle on the other side will have a funky seam. Here's a pic to show you what I mean.


(click to enlarge)

There are 5 seams on that side, 4 of them are nice and the middle baffle is jacked. Aesthetics aside, I plain don't think they work unless you have a very slow flow going thru them. Sorry for the vent, just a little frustrated because everyone I talk to wants to save space and I have to explain to them that I think they are wasting it.

 

[pecan2phat]

Paul,
Do I see a running sump in the background? Did you setup a tank again

Yep on the 1" baffles, they do nada and is a waste of material and space. I put at least 2.5" between baffles on my diy stuff and I think that is barely enough.

 

[bad coffee]

Put the middle baffle in.

smooth both sides.

Tape the edge where the next silicone will be. Run ONE piece of tape the whole way around the inside of the tank.

Put bead of silicone down and put baffle in place. Smooth outside edge of silicone.

Pull piece of tape and have a clean edge. Who cares if it's concave?

B

 

[NY Acrylics]

Thanks BC but I don't use silicone for baffles when I'm making tanks. If I was doing a diy with glass yes or a pre-made acrylic tank maybe but not likely unless I wanted the baffles removable. The baffle you see in the middle is plenty strong and holds water fine I just think it doesn't look nice. Thanks anyway.

The two issues I'm having are firstly aesthetics, I don't like getting air trapped in the seams and secondly, I just don't think they work unless you have a very slow flow. Air bubbles in water take a certain amount of time to rise. Baffles force the water and air up and down increasing water velocity, but unless you give the bubbles enough time to rise (slow enough water flow) they are going back in the tank.

 

[NY Acrylics]

Paul,
Do I see a running sump in the background? Did you setup a tank again

Nah Warren , soon very soon. I have some really nice pieces that look incredible in daceman's tank so I'm looking forward to it.

Thats actually masterswimmer's place. I was dropping some stuff off and picking up some food for a friend/member. First time I got to see his new (old for him) setup which was pretty nice.