Are Teeth on Refugium Baffle Really Necessary?

[Andy V]

Are Teeth on a Refugium Baffle Really Necessary? I know it gives some surface skimming and helps with chaeto not going into the display, but is that a big problem with toothless baffles?

I got my 40g breeder for $40 at the Petco sale and I was just quoted $90 for an acrylic baffle with teeth! I could do glass for like $10.

I know I could bond eggcrate on top of the glass, but that looks horrible IMO...

 

[stingythingy45]

On a refugium baffle,I don't think they're really needed.
On a DT,they definitely keep snails out.

 

[banshee1]

I don't have teeth on my sump baffles with no problems

 

[danzig]

its not really necessary, but helps keep pieces of cheato from going in the return pump or up into the DT. I did put teeth on mine.

 

[reeferpj]

if your makeing it your self holes work just as well and a lot easier to do

 

[JohnK]

Not necessary, but not a bad idea for keeping cheato from spilling over.

Who quoted you $90? That's totally insaine. Shoot me a PM if you want a slotted baffle, it would cost far less than that to say the least.

 

[willray]

An alternative is to use a another pc above the baffle leaving a gap of about 5/16"- 3/8".

 

[Skeeter7424]

i stuck with the eggcrate. I have 2 squares high on both sides of my refugium section. I never get cheato in my pump. I also dont really care what it looks like!

 

[willray]

Teeth IMO add more turbulence than needed... especially if the next section is the return chamber.I went with a straight edge and slanted the baffle so the water slides down.That way the water doesn't "fall" and keeps the bubbles to a minimum as it enters the return chamber.

 

[Andy V]

Not necessary, but not a bad idea for keeping cheato from spilling over.

Who quoted you $90? That's totally insaine. Shoot me a PM if you want a slotted baffle, it would cost far less than that to say the least.

Altec in South Boston. I know it is insane...I ended up just ordering glass. I think I will just drill two holes with uniseal bulkheads and strainers.