Sump Maintenance Thread?

[stiggyallen]

I've been taking all of your advice, and reading all the stickies in the newbie forum.
I must say it's all great to read, it's really helped me get an idea of what's to come when my tank arrives.
I was just wondering if there is a thread on sump maintenance, and the types of jobs that are expected of the owner of a sumped tank. I can't find one that's all lol.
Thanks, Steve.

 

[brettandlyndis]

Hi Steve! A lot of it really depends on the equipment you are running and your personal preferences. For instance, in my 30 gallon sump, I run my skimmer, heaters, refugium, purigen, and kalkwasser. I empty my skimmer collection cup every couple of days, and then once a month, break down and deep clean all equipment. I also clean the glass or baffles when they start to look dirty. HTH

 

[stiggyallen]

Hi Steve! A lot of it really depends on the equipment you are running and your personal preferences. For instance, in my 30 gallon sump, I run my skimmer, heaters, refugium, purigen, and kalkwasser. I empty my skimmer collection cup every couple of days, and then once a month, break down and deep clean all equipment. I also clean the glass or baffles when they start to look dirty. HTH

Thank you for your reply, when you say break down and deep clean all equipment, is that just the equipment you mentioned?
You don't actually clean any of the internal surfaces of the sump itself? I'm used to having an external filter on my cichlid tank.
I would remove the foam pads and bio balls etc, wash them in tank water, you know that sort of thing. So in a sumped set up this is not really needed?
And when you clean the glass and baffles do you just use a wet cloth or something like that?
Sorry If I'm not making much sense lol.

 

[Sk8r]

As above, sump is where things collect, and where the skimmer uptakes the spare amino acids. You can have a fuge down there. Heater. ATO. Etc. Basically, it's the Maintenance Closet for the whole tank.

 

[stiggyallen]

As above, sump is where things collect, and where the skimmer uptakes the spare amino acids. You can have a fuge down there. Heater. ATO. Etc. Basically, it's the Maintenance Closet for the whole tank.

Ok thanks, so as far as cleaning the sump itself goes, just a clean of the equipment monthly, and emptying the skimmer every couple of days?
What do you guys do about dust that gathers inside the cabinet?

 

[jeromeit]

I've always wondered how the pros keep their sumps so spotless...do people ever empty their sumps for a day and do a crazy cleaning?

 

[ryeguyy84]

I pull my sump out every now and then and wet vac it to get all the crud out. it's only a 10 gallon sump so moving it isn't an issue.

 

[stiggyallen]

I pull my sump out every now and then and wet vac it to get all the crud out. it's only a 10 gallon sump so moving it isn't an issue.

Would a good time to do this be say every other water change? Just vac the bottom as you syphon out of the sump?

 

[brettandlyndis]

Thank you for your reply, when you say break down and deep clean all equipment, is that just the equipment you mentioned?
You don't actually clean any of the internal surfaces of the sump itself? I'm used to having an external filter on my cichlid tank.
I would remove the foam pads and bio balls etc, wash them in tank water, you know that sort of thing. So in a sumped set up this is not really needed?
And when you clean the glass and baffles do you just use a wet cloth or something like that?
Sorry If I'm not making much sense lol.

Yes, I break down the skimmer, take out the heaters, take out the purigen, the kalkwasser doser, and I have a sponge block to remove particulates. I clean all of those items, and while they are out of the sump, I use my magfloats, or pro-scraper to clean the inside glass and baffles. I also then do a water change where I vacuum out any debris or detritus on the bottom of the sump. I do this once a month, but I've heard recommendations for this type of deep cleaning to be done quarterly, I just have a touch of OCD. LOL

 

[stiggyallen]

Yes, I break down the skimmer, take out the heaters, take out the purigen, the kalkwasser doser, and I have a sponge block to remove particulates. I clean all of those items, and while they are out of the sump, I use my magfloats, or pro-scraper to clean the inside glass and baffles. I also then do a water change where I vacuum out any debris or detritus on the bottom of the sump. I do this once a month, but I've heard recommendations for this type of deep cleaning to be done quarterly, I just have a touch of OCD. LOL

Lol, I know exactly where you're coming from there.
It's great feeling when you know your tank is clean.

 

[stiggyallen]

Do you guys use filters socks on the end of the down pipe?
The tank in getting looked to have the end pushed against a netted bag of some sort of media? Would this be ok or would a filter sock be better??
Thanks.

 

[ryeguyy84]

Would a good time to do this be say every other water change? Just vac the bottom as you syphon out of the sump?

If you can you're better than me. I'd say I do it quarterly.

 

[heathlindner25]

OCD basic rule: if you see something dirty ....clean it.

 

[stiggyallen]

I'm trying to plan ahead for when I get my tank on Saturday. I've just got a few quick questions about the sump.
1) I noticed the first thing the water hits inside the sump was a netted bag of bio balls, or some sort of media. Is this fine, or should I buy filter socks?

2) I also noticed that the protein skimmer was towards the end of the sump, nearer the return. Shouldn't it be in the first section?

3) Should I leave the live rock in the sump or remove it?

 

[scooter31707]

Some people use filter socks and some don't. It's really your preference. I recommend using them because you will be surprise of what they catch especially during your cycling period. 200 microns are the ones I use. When using filter socks you have to change them out around every 2-4 days depending on your bio-load. When I went through my cycle and the 1st couple of fish, I was able to go about a week before changing them out. If they stay in too long, they can become nirate factories and they can clog up and start overflow. I learned the hard way. Once the sock is clogged up, my ATO would turn on to replace the missing water that was caught in the sock. So that was messing with my salinity.

 

[tzylak]

I stopped using a sock filter two months ago. The biological filter is handling the load just fine.
I setup my new sump well over 6 months ago and have not touched it since. I most certainly would not clean it weekly or even monthly, unless I had a serious reason to do so. -Unnecessary disturbance to the system.
Read all that interests you to build your knowledge base. After a while be your own judge on how and how often to maintain your sump.
Have fun!

 

[ZeeSparrow]

I'm trying to plan ahead for when I get my tank on Saturday. I've just got a few quick questions about the sump.
1) I noticed the first thing the water hits inside the sump was a netted bag of bio balls, or some sort of media. Is this fine, or should I buy filter socks?

2) I also noticed that the protein skimmer was towards the end of the sump, nearer the return. Shouldn't it be in the first section?

3) Should I leave the live rock in the sump or remove it?

1) I'd remove the bio balls. Adding filter socks is up to you, though as has been mentioned, you'll need to rinse them regularly. I don't have them.

2) So long as the skimmer is in a section where the water level remains constant, it's probably fine. Usually that's the first section.

3) Again, up to you. I would leave them there unless there is room for them in the display.

 

[ericarenee]

I'm trying to plan ahead for when I get my tank on Saturday. I've just got a few quick questions about the sump.
1) I noticed the first thing the water hits inside the sump was a netted bag of bio balls, or some sort of media. Is this fine, or should I buy filter socks?

2) I also noticed that the protein skimmer was towards the end of the sump, nearer the return. Shouldn't it be in the first section?

3) Should I leave the live rock in the sump or remove it?

I agree with what the others have said.. But i have .50 and 200 micron filter socks i will use the 50 if I AM Doing any maintenance than back to the 200 . The 50 Has to be changed every day. Sometimes a hour or two after i clean the sump and scrape the display tank glass when needed.

As far as the skimmer. its best to have in a Chamber where the water level Does not go low..(Between Two baffles of the same Height. Or for sure a GOOD ato method will be needed...