How do you clean your sump?

[squealy]

I apologize if this is a stupid question. I have a 15 gallon sump on the ground under a 90 gal bow front. I don't use a filter sock, so detritus gets into the sump and settles on the bottom. For the life of me, I haven't found a way to suck out the detritus without stirring up the water in the sump. Thanks.

 

[Phyxius]

Some people will hook up a small hose to a pump like a MJ and suck it out doing water change as the same time. I use filter socks but some still get by over time. I actually bought a small wet/dry vac that I use just on the tanks in my house and suck all the water and detrius out and do a water change at same time.

 

[Lawnmower Blenn]

do you need to clean a sump or is it more of a want?

 

[nikon187]

you should clean it every once and a while so there isn't a build up of organics that settle on the bottom of each section of the sump. Either use a python that attaches to the tap to suck out the water or a small powerhead will work with some hose.

 

[frank2926]

I just use a shop vac. I syphon out as much water as I can then go at it with a shop vac.

 

[squealy]

I don't need to clean it, but my nitrates are high and I figure that would help bring them down a little. The shop vac makes sense. I'd rather not have to buy a python just for this. I haven't been able to figure out how to get a powerhead to suck the detritus on the bottom without stirring up the whole sump. And I haven't been able to attach a hose to the inlet of a pump and get it primed to work line an in-line pump. Maybe I'm doing something very wrong?

 

[kfisc]

Depending on the kind of shop vac you have, you can set the top (vac) part on top of a five-gallon bucket to more closely monitor the exact amount you're removing.

 

[squealy]

Thanks. It sounds like I should go with the shop vac. Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[Landon B.]

I siphon all my water change water from my sump. I just use a length of poly tubing and siphon out as much detritus as possible. Has worked great!

 

[Phyxius]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13271694#post13271694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Landon B.
I siphon all my water change water from my sump. I just use a length of poly tubing and siphon out as much detritus as possible. Has worked great!

If your sump is on the floor level like mine it makes it hard to get a good siphon going. Then a pump would be a good choice and then maybe other means....