I have what I thought was going to be a simple and easy question but after a significant amount of time searching forums I still haven't found something that works so I decided to start my own thread.
I have a Trigger Systems Ruby Elite 36 Sump and ran a single filter sock for awhile but I've now switched to filter socks in both overflows (Herbie w/"wet" emer). I have a significant buildup of detritus in the sump. I'd like to clean it out (let the debate begin on if that's a good idea) and I'm looking for the most efficient way to do this.
Here's what options I've thought about so far:
A little about me and my tank, I've been reefing for about a year now. I have a 90 ga rimless display with a ruby 36 sump. The tank is a mixed reef with a combination of LPS, softies, and some SPS. Lights are 2x Ecotech Radion XR30 gen 3. Fuge has a 8x8x4 Marine Pure block and a clump of chaeto that's growing well. No miracle mud or sand in the fuge.
Thanks in advance for your advice and discussion.
Chris
I have a Trigger Systems Ruby Elite 36 Sump and ran a single filter sock for awhile but I've now switched to filter socks in both overflows (Herbie w/"wet" emer). I have a significant buildup of detritus in the sump. I'd like to clean it out (let the debate begin on if that's a good idea) and I'm looking for the most efficient way to do this.
Here's what options I've thought about so far:
- Use a brush to stir up the detritus and circulate it back through the DT where it will get picked back up with water changes or filter socks. I worry this is going to stir up too much stuff in the display tank and end up fouling the DT tank.
- I tried to use a small pump (Sicce Nano) to vacuum up the detritus and basically pump it back into the filter sock. once I got the pump primed properly this worked for a very short while until the detritus clogged up the impeller making this not a practical option. I guess I could try a bigger pump that had a lower change to get clogged but I don't have something on hand at the moment.
- Siphon it out during a water change. This doesn't work b/c my sump is on the ground.
- I've read a few threads about a DIY vacuum that uses an air pump to basically create vertical flow to a elbow that has some sort of collection cup with a filter. This device looked interesting but it seems the water level had to be just right to get the material to flow over the elbow into the collection cup. I haven't tried this type of device so if anyone has any experience I'd appreciate it.
- Of course there's the ever popular "just leave it" option. My tank's parameters are good. 0 ppm Nitrate (Red Sea) Phosphate < 10 ppb (Hanna ULR). 0 Ammonia (Read Sea). I do about 15% water changes every 2 weeks and try to clean the sand bed as well as possible with each change. I recently watched the Joe Yaiullo video from MACNA and it's inspired me to be more proactive in my long term tank maintenance specifically focusing on the sump area and not just my display tank. I'm trying to keep salt creep at bay and make the overall sump area as clean and neat as possible.
A little about me and my tank, I've been reefing for about a year now. I have a 90 ga rimless display with a ruby 36 sump. The tank is a mixed reef with a combination of LPS, softies, and some SPS. Lights are 2x Ecotech Radion XR30 gen 3. Fuge has a 8x8x4 Marine Pure block and a clump of chaeto that's growing well. No miracle mud or sand in the fuge.
Thanks in advance for your advice and discussion.
Chris