dirty sump = not a good enough skimmer?

[anjhof]

I recently replaced my old sump about 4 weeks ago. I already have noticed a build up of "scum" on the bottom. There is a thin layer of debris on the bottom of the sump. Does this indicate my skimmer is not doing enough to keep the water clean? I have a 75G tank with an AquaC Urchin in the sump. I also recently started keeping SPS's including acros, so I don't want them to suffer if I need a better protein skimmer.

 

[Gobie]

No the skimmers fine, detritus will accumulate in the sump if you donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t clean it out or have a lot of flow itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s normal.

 

[fishykid9212]

put a power head blowing the water around in the sump for a few days so the skimmer will pick upp all thew stuff

 

[anjhof]

good idea - Thanks

 

[sjm817]

Yes, detritus will accumulate. A filter sock on the drain will fix the problem. I would disagree that an Urchin is a good skimmer. There are many in sump skimmers that are much better.

 

[original-reefland]

I hook a small 4 inch length of hose to a maxijet 1200 power head to suck the detritus off the sump floor and a long hose from the output of the powerhead to a pail to export the gunk. Works well for cleaning out my overflow chambers as well.

Even do it to the rocks from time to time to remove the detritus that settles in openings. Blasting with Turkey baster alone just makes it settle someplace else. I'd rather get it out of the tank if possible.

 

[DMK]

i use a overflow 50 micron filter sock. my sump is very clean.

 

[original-reefland]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6621287#post6621287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMK
i use a overflow 50 micron filter sock. my sump is very clean.

How often do you have to change that? Just toss out the old ones or you have a way to clean them?

 

[stelow]

Everytime I do a water change I remove as much as I can, with a powerhead and siphon hose.

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6621302#post6621302 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by original-reefland
How often do you have to change that? Just toss out the old ones or you have a way to clean them?

I use a 100 micron which needs less frequent cleaning. I change it twice a week. Toss in the washing machine with a little bleach using the extra rinse cycle. Let dry before use.

Filter socks are another maintenance item, but are very easy to change out/clean. They do a great job of catching crud, quiet the drain line, and are good microbubble traps.

 

[petermai]

does anyone else notice this...if you manually clean out your diatom bag(sock)...it smells like raw oysters? haha and i'm being serious too.