Sump Vacuum?

[hann1bal]

BucketHead

 

[sleepydoc]

A couple of ways to do it, depending on how much you have, what you want to remove, etc.

I have a maxi jet with a short piece of hose on the intake that I use as a vacuum. This can't handle much without getting clogged, though, so you have to take it slow. You can just hang a filter sock in the sump and have the discharge hose from the pump go into the filter sock to catch the detritus.

If that doesn't work for you then the bucket head or a shopvac will also work. They will suck higher volumes and empty the sump pretty quickly. Personally, I need to do it pretty rarely, so I'd rather deal with the limitations of the maxi jet that I already have over getting another piece of equipment to use only occasionally and store the rest of the time.

Another option is to simply pump all the water out and scrape it up with a plastic spatula or something similar.

 

[ReefHog]

Just use a hang on back filter with a piece of silicone tubing inserted in the suction tube. Very easy and cheap.

 

[robertifly]

At least I'm not the only one with the same problem, yes dead on floor level so siphon is a no go, also can't elevate the sump when I have it empty because when/if I do put the skimmer back in there's no head room to spare. I have a Python and the Home Depot bucket vacuum both would work however both will remove more water than I wanted to I think the drill pump or the maxi-jet with hoses sounds close to what I need. I like the idea of filtering back into the sump as well or course unless I'm wanting to do a water change. Thanks for all the ideas, for some reason I keep thinking "vacuum pump" and a collection jar but maybe that isn't a good idea.....

 

[ReefHog]

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

http://melevsreef.com/catalog/cobalt-ext-800-inline-pump

 

[tkeracer619]

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

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

Python is one of those pieces of equipment that every reefer needs.

And not that aqueon impostor... they're junk.

 

[billdogg]

The python siphon will allow you to siphon water from wherever it might be, regardless of level, and has the added advantage of not having to worry about overfilling a bucket with, well, fish poo that then spills all over the carpet on the way to be dumped.

And +1000 to the Aqueon imitation being absolute junk. Spend a couple more $$ and get a high quality piece of equipment that will last forever.

 

[robertifly]

Hey ReefHog that Cobalt EXT 800 pump looks very interesting and I can just imagine several small pump jobs that it could do, thanks!