How to use inline pump to clean sump?

[ninjamyst]

I thought I was being smart by buying an inline pump so I can suck detritus out of my sump. But it's not working since I need to prime the pump first? How do I even do that if the inlet hose is in the sump and has to go up and down to the pump that then has an outlet hose to a bucket???

 

[Fish Fan]

Are you looking for a pump to pump water out of your sump? If so, I have one like this, it intake water from underneath, and will still pump even when the water level is very low:

Vivosun pump

 

[mfinn]

I don't know of a pump other that the one listed above, or the sicce utility pump, which looks to be the same thing.
I use a cheap 6 gallon shop vac when I do a deep clean on my sumps.
I normally just use my Python water change hose to suck detritus from the settling area I have that collects it all.

 

[ninjamyst]

Not an utility pump. This is a pump with an intake hose so you can just move the hose around and suck up detritus off the bottom.

 

[RobertK]

I used one of these on an old maxijet powerhead, it worked pretty good but the screen got clogged pretty quickly. Next time I'll try it without the screen.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/mjv-sc-vacuum-attachment-vivid-creative-aquatics.html

 

[mfinn]

Not an utility pump. This is a pump with an intake hose so you can just move the hose around and suck up detritus off the bottom.

I think everybody so far has posted their preferred method.
Probably the only way you are going to make your pump work for this situation is to submerge the suction hose, the pump, and the exit hose completely and making sure all of the air is out of all of it. Then raise the hose out of the sump with the end sealed so no air travels down and into the bucket or barrel you want the water and detritus to go.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe build one of Paul B filters and you can filter and reuse the water.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-diatom-filter-for-under-100-00.1023989/

 

[areefer01]

I don't know of a pump other that the one listed above, or the sicce utility pump, which looks to be the same thing.
I use a cheap 6 gallon shop vac when I do a deep clean on my sumps.
I normally just use my Python water change hose to suck detritus from the settling area I have that collects it all.

The wet shop vac is an essential item to have when keeping reef tanks. Aquariums in general. The small ones are more manageable in tight spaces.