Best Sump Vacuum

[Gtinnel]

I use the “Hyper Tough” brand bucket head that costs $25 at Walmart. It fits on my empty salt buckets so if I fill up a bucket I can move the head to a different bucket if I don’t want to dump the water out. I do only use it for my aquarium though.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Depending on space, a recirculating setup with filter socks or a canister filter are good options. Or a step further with a diatom filter. They are hard to find anymore, but @Paul B has a pretty simple and well thought out DIY design to replace what can no longer be purchased.

 

[X-37B]

I use a powerhead with a hose attatched. I just turn off the return pump and put the exit hose into a filter sock thats clamped to the side.
I can suck up most of the debri and then just stir the remaining stuff up a few times and let the pump remove the rest until its clear.
SImple and easy to do with equipment you already have.

 

[reeftivo]

Bucket Head 5 Gal. 1.75 Peak HP Wet Dry Vac Powerhead Shop Vacuum with Filter, Hose (Compatible with 5 Gal. Homer Bucket) BH0100 BH0100 - The Home Depot

Clean up both wet and dry spillages by using this excellent Wet and Dry Vacuum offered by Bucket Head. Features blower port for added versatility.

www.homedepot.com

even better

nice find

 

[WvAquatics]

Also use a buckehead shopvac its perfect. I only use it for the aquarium.

 

[TX_REEF]

I use this, easy to slap it on a 5 gallon bucket then dump the bucket down the toilet.

 

[WvAquatics]

Ps in my experiance you wont pull 5g each time. Once water starts covering the base of the head it gets a little rough. I think about 2.5g-3g is a good pull with the buckethead. But i wouldnt change it at all. 2.5 gallons with high suction to pull anything out great tool in the closet!

 

[ReefED!]

I use a shop vac. Probably the worst maintenance job I do on the reef tank, but I clean it out about 3 times a year as needed - especially the gunk and mulm that builds up in the fuge.

I believe that stuff contributes to nitrate/phosphate buildup that you don't want.

Be careful where you dump the water - I had the brilliant idea of pouring it down my driveway to help melt 3" of ice during the big winter freeze in TX a few months ago.

Turns out saltwater and freezing is a great way to completely destroy your concrete.

I use a powerhead with a hose attatched. I just turn off the return pump and put the exit hose into a filter sock thats clamped to the side.
I can suck up most of the debri and then just stir the remaining stuff up a few times and let the pump remove the rest until its clear.
SImple and easy to do with equipment you already have.

This is brilliant and probably the best way to do it. I bet I could clean out tons of crap by just routing the water right back into the fuge and putting the outflow hose into a filter sock.

Whatever doesn't get sucked up, just stir it up like you said...going to try this next.

The one thing I'll say is it sure does feel satisfying to have a cleaned out sump especially if it has a layer of crap on the bottom.

 

[X-37B]

I use a shop vac. Probably the worst maintenance job I do on the reef tank, but I clean it out about 3 times a year as needed - especially the gunk and mulm that builds up in the fuge.

I believe that stuff contributes to nitrate/phosphate buildup that you don't want.

Be careful where you dump the water - I had the brilliant idea of pouring it down my driveway to help melt 3" of ice during the big winter freeze in TX a few months ago.

Turns out saltwater and freezing is a great way to completely destroy your concrete.




This is brilliant and probably the best way to do it. I bet I could clean out tons of crap by just routing the water right back into the fuge and putting the outflow hose into a filter sock.

Whatever doesn't get sucked up, just stir it up like you said...going to try this next.

The one thing I'll say is it sure does feel satisfying to have a cleaned out sump especially if it has a layer of crap on the bottom.

Nice! Mine has 2 years of buildup, lol.

 

[exnisstech]

Nice! Mine has 2 years of buildup, lol.

The only time I've cleaned a sump was when I was moving to a new system. Then I took all the filth that I cleaned out and dumped it in the new sump. There's so much life living in the sludge/ mulm that I see as beneficial.

PS: this was one of the critters i transfered over

 

[ReefED!]

The only time I've cleaned a sump was when I was moving to a new system. Then I took all the filth that I cleaned out and dumped it in the new sump. There's so much life living in the sludge/ mulm that I see as beneficial.

PS: this was one of the critters i transfered over

A little beast of Nurgle there

@BristleWormHater

 

[RobertK]

Anyone try one of these?

MJV-SC – SICCE Syncra Nano Compatible Vacuum Attachment | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com

 

[ReefED!]

Anyone try one of these?

MJV-SC – SICCE Syncra Nano Compatible Vacuum Attachment | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com

Purchased immediately - I'm going to combine this with the "into mesh sock" method so I don't even have to change the water out

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Purchased immediately - I'm going to combine this with the "into mesh sock" method so I don't even have to change the water out

That woks well - get a 10-micorn felt sock. it will capture everything and not let any gunk back into the sump. ive

I use the MJV here at the office to empty/clean the sump during water changes. I don't usual do a lot of work int he display tank so for me that works really well. use the MJV to get all the the detritus that has built up and empty the 25-glalom sump and then fill it back up. - easy peezy :-)

 

[RobertK]

Purchased immediately - I'm going to combine this with the "into mesh sock" method so I don't even have to change the water out

Please report back how you like it!

 

[ReefED!]

That woks well - get a 10-micorn felt sock. it will capture everything and not let any gunk back into the sump. ive

I use the MJV here at the office to empty/clean the sump during water changes. I don't usual do a lot of work int he display tank so for me that works really well. use the MJV to get all the the detritus that has built up and empty the 25-glalom sump and then fill it back up. - easy peezy :-)

I'm really excited about the ability to keep the gunk cleaned out of my sump without the massive effort of a shop vac + water change which had been my go to.

Lugging that water around the house and draining it is such a pain - I should be able to use this to just get all the creep out and keep the water

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I'm really excited about the ability to keep the gunk cleaned out of my sump without the massive effort of a shop vac + water change which had been my go to.

Lugging that water around the house and draining it is such a pain - I should be able to use this to just get all the creep out and keep the water

Yep - that was the exact reason I created this years ago . I don't do a lot of water changes on my tank - maybe once month, but I do like to keep the sump clean. Just runt he pump outlet into a filter bag, right back into th sump.

The MJV will fit both the smaller SICCE Micro pump (great for tight spaces) but also most utility pumps like the of MaxiJet, NEWA, and a few others.