Siphon out detritus from sump .

[Idoc]

I sometimes go through 2/3 socks while doing the sump, but yup. you're at least getting 90-95% of it.

I tried pumping back into my filter sock with the basic mesh filter socks that BRS sells (200 micron, I think) and it created such a cloudy mess in my sump... and then that shot up into my DT! It was terrible! What micron sock are you using to catch everything? Mesh or felt socks?

 

[Amoo]

I tried pumping back into my filter sock with the basic mesh filter socks that BRS sells (200 micron, I think) and it created such a cloudy mess in my sump... and then that shot up into my DT! It was terrible! What micron sock are you using to catch everything? Mesh or felt socks?

Felt

 

[Pntbll687]

I tried pumping back into my filter sock with the basic mesh filter socks that BRS sells (200 micron, I think) and it created such a cloudy mess in my sump... and then that shot up into my DT! It was terrible! What micron sock are you using to catch everything? Mesh or felt socks?

I use the standard felt socks from aqueon.

I take an old canister filter and have the return go to a sock, then I can clean the sump for as long as i want. I usually end up going through 3-4 socks when I do this. I really only clean the sump once a year or so. You could even pack the canister full of felt if you wanted (get the stuff from a craft supply store super cheap), this way less gets to the sock, and wouldnt have a chance to get to the display.

 

[CDavmd]

I plumbed a line off of my manifold with a ball valve, and there is also another ball valve on the main return to the DT.

When I want to clean my sump- I put in a polishing sock, turn off the ball valve to the display, turn on the ball valve that will dump into the sock chamber, turn up the pump to full and stir things up in the sump. Come back in an hour and all clean.

 

[ReefWithCare]

Felt

I was going to use the Aquamaxx socks that are 200 micron - is that okay?

 

[Mortie31]

I use a length of hosepipe and just syphon it into a bucket, it works well until the bucket fills to the same water level as your sump.. dead simple and cheap

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Something like this?

Interesting!

 

[Amoo]

I was going to use the Aquamaxx socks that are 200 micron - is that okay?

As long as they are felt it should be fine. The mesh socks simply allow too much of the smaller stuff through, the felt ones work much better and like I said you end up catching a good 90-95% of it.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Here's an idea as well I just found. What are you thoughts on using something like this pool filter?

 

[Amoo]

Neat idea @revhtree , I do wonder if that sock is fine enough. My initial thought would be no, but you never know till you try.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

A lot of people recommend this shop vac that attaches to a 5 gallon bucket.

The issue with shop vacs, and I use them, is they suck out too much water too fast! Awesome for emptying tanks!

 

[ksfulk]

The issue with shop vacs, and I use them, is they suck out too much water too fast! Awesome for emptying tanks!

Thats really only a problem if you are using a standard shop vac. The one from home depot that mounts on a 5 gallon bucket has a much smaller diameter hose, and you can also pick up this kit (link) which narrows the diameter even further. I can vacuum my entire sump and only pull out about three gallons of water but get all of the detritus. Its easily worth the $35 for the entire thing. Plus, if you vacuum out 5 gallon bucket worth of water, you can replace it with that exact amount!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Thats really only a problem if you are using a standard shop vac. The one from home depot that mounts on a 5 gallon bucket has a much smaller diameter hose, and you can also pick up this kit (link) which narrows the diameter even further. I can vacuum my entire sump and only pull out about three gallons of water but get all of the detritus. Its easily worth the $35 for the entire thing. Plus, if you vacuum out 5 gallon bucket worth of water, you can replace it with that exact amount!

Oh wow nice to know! I have the HD bucket shop vac as well but never used it much. I'll check the kit out! Thanks.

 

[SandJ]

@revhtree , you are correct. The shop vac method does work best if you are removing water from the sump or back chamber of an all in one tank, and plan on refilling with water (would be like preforming a water change).

If you want to save as much water as possible, a piece of rigid airline attached to a flexible hose works nice. You can customize the diameter and length you need.

I also attach a filter sock to the side of a five gallon bucket and run the water through the filter sock and pour it back into the tank. Or use a pump to return the water. This is where I use a remote controlled outlet switch...I turn the pump on as the bucket fills up and back off when the bucket is empty without having to stop the siphon hose.

I have seen where some people use a hang on the back filter, attach a hose to the intake, and use it to clean up detritus. I am guessing a canister filter may work the same way.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I just went and bought one of those inline pumps. So I am going to use my filter socks within the sump and just suck all the junk into them and then rinse and clean!

 

[Midrats]

How does detritus collect in the first chamber? The flow from the drain pipe keeps that chamber spotless on my Reefer. I'd just pick up one of the filter cups that Red Sea offers and fill it with some Tunze Micro wadding. Take a turkey baster or something and get the detritus into suspension so floss can catch it. Toss the floss.

 

[Raptor72]

TeraPump TRHA01 Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Pump

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00APU2X0K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is what I’ve been using lately also. It’s great for removing detritus at ground level and with the smaller hose, doesn’t remove too much water too fast. I clean my sump about every other month since I don’t use socks, just cups with foam inserts.

 

[Curtisw]

How does detritus collect in the first chamber? The flow from the drain pipe keeps that chamber spotless on my Reefer. I'd just pick up one of the filter cups that Red Sea offers and fill it with some Tunze Micro wadding. Take a turkey baster or something and get the detritus into suspension so floss can catch it. Toss the floss.

Its not the greatest picture but you can see it collected on the siporax and on the bottom of the chamber is covered too, its a red sea reefer 250, so both pipes are right down in the chamber

 

[DesertReefT4r]

You can increase flow in that area of the sump as well. Just pump a small power head in the drain section to keep detritus from settling so the socks and or skimmer can remove it.

 

[Raptor72]

You can increase flow in that area of the sump as well. Just pump a small power head in the drain section to keep detritus from settling so the socks and or skimmer can remove it.

Yes, I’ve seen someone post on the Neptune Forum about having a small powerhead in the sump and programming their Apex to have it come on a couple of times an hour to circulate detritus.