Sump Vacuum?

[robertifly]

Here's my problem, my sump is on the floor underneath the DT. I need to clean the detritus from the bottom of the 1st section normally where my skimmer goes when I'm using it but going skimmer less presently. I'd really like to be able to remove the detritus while the system is running as opposed to shutting down the returns and flooding all sump chambers as that really creates a stirred up mess. So I've done the wet/dry vacuum before but that requires full systems stop, seems there should be a way to gently pull that off the bottom while the system keeps on going, of course there would be sw on hand to replace what gets removed with the detritus. Any good solutions?

 

[elFloyd]

Turkey baster. I bit slow but you can keep the system running.

 

[robertifly]

thanks for that answer, slow but effective and I have one. Any others?

 

[gotfrogs]

Sump Vacuum?

I have the same problem and would love to have a portable filter I could "shop vac" detritus off the bottom with.

 

[ldc3000]

I saw a YouTube video, I think it was melevsreef, where he had use a maxijet pump with tubing to vacuum out his sump.

 

[duncanpate1]

Jeez, just siphon it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gotfrogs]

Jeez, just siphon it out.

That is the point, without some elevation you can not symphony it out.

 

[hbreef714]

Jeez, just siphon it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scuzy]

Home depot sells bucket head wet dry back 24.95


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[epon]

coil the hose in the bottom of the bucket so the run is longer on the bucket and just dip the end of the hose onto the bottom over and over vs leaving it there.. sorta like pumping the siphon. hth

 

[Celtic_Fox]

Google "Eheim Quick Vac Pro". It might be what you're looking for.

 

[luvreefs23]

I use a python water change hose and hook up to utility sink in laundry room.

 

[mcgyvr]

another vote for turkey baster.. or throw a small powerhead down there to keep it stirred up..

 

[alex93se]

Get a plastic drill pump from lowes or home depot, under $10. It's an attachment that you put on your cordless drill to spin and use as a pump, sort of like a diaphram pump. You're welcome

 

[mcgyvr]

Personally I never really try to "remove" detritus.. Its a great food source for many critters/corals,etc... let it flow man..let it flow..

 

[Lmax8rn]

Next time you empty your sump raise it on some boards or something. I have mine on 4 x 4's because you can siphon using gravity a little easier. Just MO

 

[hann1bal]

I recommend something from HomeDepot called a "Bucket Head". $20 vacuum that you place on the head of a bucket. The nice thing is the attachment kit includes brushes that allow pulling water out very slowly - which i use to clean my sump.

May pull out a gallon of water but sump is clean.

 

[hann1bal]

I've also seen people on youtube pump water through a mesh bag and have the end of the return line go right back into the sump. This way NO water is removed just filtered.

SUMP -- [HOSE] -- [MESH -- [HOSE] -- SUMP

 

[ktownhero]

Maxijet 1200 + 1/2 outlet hose + 3/4 inlet hose = vaccuum.

I personally just siphon and get what I can. It's a slow siphon that can't go very long, but it works. But I mostly follow mcgyvr's advice and just leave it. I like ensuring that my pods have stuff to live on.

People have suggested a shop vac which would surely work well... But I would only do that if it were a dedicated one. I'd be horrified to stick the hose of my shop vac in my tank... that thing has seen it all. Plus you could very easily pick up something accidentally like, say, an entire ball of chaeto or even rock rubble.

 

[billdogg]

I have had a python siphon for 30 years or so and use it for every water change. I cannot imagine doing it any other way