Sump cleaning

[Bj’s Reef]

How are you cleaning the settlement's from your sump? I'm just trying to get some ideas fro everyone as to what works for them. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Griff]

Home Depot 5 gallon bucket clip on shop vac.

I haves 30 gallon sump. I use six 5 gallon Home Depot buckets. I fill them all then use a large filter sock clipped inside the display and pour the water back through the sock into the display.

 

[Griff]

If opt for this route do t forget to take the air filter off the shop vac

 

[Bj’s Reef]

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try.

 

[Griff]

Let us know how it goes

 

[wkscott]

I use the shop vac also. However I do it monthly. I turn off my return pump and suck all of the water and gunk out of the sump. Then I use an aquarium-only sponge to get the remaining fine particles. I don't return the water to the tank, even through a filter sock, because it is full of nasty disolved organics. I replace the old water with freshly made saltwater as part of my water change.This will keep your sump AND your tank fresh and clean.

 

[Griff]

I add the existing water back because I can't seem to get my nitrates up above 0. I'm dosing nitrate balancer from UWC just to keep it above 0. Wkscott has a good point though. You could use fresh mixed saltwater and consider that your water change for the week.

 

[wkscott]

I add the existing water back because I can't seem to get my nitrates up above 0. I'm dosing nitrate balancer from UWC just to keep it above 0. Wkscott has a good point though. You could use fresh mixed saltwater and consider that your water change for the week.

Good point if you have low nutrients. I can't get my nitrates under 50 so I take every opportunity to eport them when possible.

 

[Griff]

Good point if you have low nutrients. I can't get my nitrates under 50 so I take every opportunity to eport them when possible.

I only have 9 small fish in a 140 gallon system. I'm pretty sure that's my issue.