Cleaning of your sump

I haven't cleaned my sump yet, but I'm noticing gunk starting to accumulate in the return area of my sump. I plan to suction this out this weekend when I do my water change.
 
I have been running a filter sock on my new tank. I have only had it up about 3 months, but not detrius so far, but there are quite a few different critters growing, especially in the skimmer chamber.

In the past I have used a Python, but with just gravity. The ground outside the window in my tank room is at least a foot lower than the sump so it works fine.
 
I run a filter sock and I'm starting to notice a lot of debris in my sump. I'm going to take the advice of others and clean it out this weekend. I don't want an problems with phosphates being too high so it's better to address now before it gets really bad
 
every water change

every water change

I use a maxijet 1200 and a piece of clear tubing.
I "vacuum" the sump while I'm doing a water change.
 
I built a wood stand under my stand. 16 inches above floor level. This is why I built a 24x24 stand for a 1 foot cube. Leaves me room for a frag tank ato resvoir extra water additves ballasts and all.
 
+1 on the python. I've had mine for at least 10 years . Still works like new.


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Thread revival? Basically I am fairly new to the hobby so take this with a pinch of salt...

But couldn't you just add a couple of shrimp/snails to the section of the sump and put grating to stop them moving to the return section etc? Or is that a bit of a stupid comment?
 
pwoody said:
Thread revival? Basically I am fairly new to the hobby so take this with a pinch of salt...

But couldn't you just add a couple of shrimp/snails to the section of the sump and put grating to stop them moving to the return section etc? Or is that a bit of a stupid comment?
Click to expand...

not stupid but wouldn't work in my circumstance.
about once a month i use an old powerhead and vacuum the bottom of the sump with it. i have no detritus but seem to get deposits of what looks like ash (could be from zeovit coral snow) and particulate gfo that ugly up the sump.
looks terrific after i clean it though.
 
Here is a nice trick...

I plumbed in a tee on the return and also with a valve, the tee runs back to the inlet section of my sump.

I close the valve to the main display tank, and open the "recycle" valve, or so I call it, then stir up every last corner and area in the sump. Turn my return pump on high and recycle/filter all the water back through my filter socks.

I waste no water, and takes less than 5mins. When I'm done I pop in a new filter sock, open and close the appropriate valve and away I go.
 
That's actually a very smart idea. Seeing as I'm redoing all my plumbing at present, I'm going to incorporate that.

Very useful. Thank you.
 
You cam also just buy a stinger wet dry vaccuum from home depot for 20 or 30 bucks real small easy to suck everything oit

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The best thing I have bought for maintenance on my tank is my shop vac with built in bilge pump.

http://m.lowes.com/pd/Shop-Vac-14-Gallon-5-75-Peak-HP-Shop-Vacuum/50159061

I clean the sump and do a water change all at same time. Hook a hose to the back of it and run out to my driveway. Shut off system and suck all the detritus from the sump then just suck all of the water from my sump too. Fill the sump back up with water to the same level and bam. Sump clean and water change done!

I have used that vacuum for everything. I just tore down a 90g tank to sell and drained it in about 5 minutes. Then capped the pump outlet and sucked all the old sand out too. It's awesome!


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Can't keep my sump clean

Can't keep my sump clean

Hi I have currently a 100 litre sump in the first section I have live rock and in the second miracle mud and cheato and in the third section I have my skimmer and return pump between the baffles I have filter floss in my main second section I just can't keep it clean it blooms in algae and covers my cheato and every week I clean it can anyone suggest any way I could better maintain or run my refugium. Thanks
 
coralreefdoc said:
One of the most underrated, and often overlooked aspects of a system, in regards to equipment, is powerful powerhead(s) located in the sump. Not only does it keep detritus suspended to be filtered/skimmed it
Click to expand...

This really makes so much sense but yet such a great idea. Does it clean your water too much???
 
BeanAnimal said:
Likely the removal of the detritus has lowered the overall phosphate and nitrate of the system.

My 7 year old tank is a disaster. High phosphates that I can't keep down, no matter what. I have been dumping the overlfow into a 10 micron filter sock and using a powerhead and stick to blow everything off and stir the substrate. Things are getting clearly better.

I am doing the same for the sump that is full of LR. Again, there is a clear impact on the livestock. 7 years worth of sediment in the sump can not be good... no matter how healthy things look for 6 years!
Click to expand...

Do you think removing all that sediment and detritus removal will clean your water too quickly possibly causing issues in the tank because of the nutrient swing?
 
I was thinking of using an EHEIM quickvac gravel cleaner... Since it doesn't actually take water out but only filters it, I figured this might work.

I've been reading up a little on the topic of this stuff that gets stuck in the sump. Some people say that removing it may cause issues in the tank. Anyone with experience to back that up?
 
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