Sump Cleaning

pumarjr · Apr 20, 2012

How often is a good guess to clean the sump/fugue? Also, is it wise to remove the sand from the fugue area while cleaning?

caudill187 · Apr 20, 2012

I use a shop vac to clean the sump a couple of times a year. I try to keep detritus from collecting in the sump with powerheads in between cleanings. If you are going to disturb the sand, I would take the sump off line. I would probably leave the sand alone and maybe clean it once a year, or if I thought it was contributing to algae issues. If it was a deep sand bed, I would be sure only to disturb the upper layers, if any.

_sludgefactory · Apr 20, 2012

Hey rid of the sand and use mud, just need to top it off as it dissolves. I've never cleaned mine except for the occasional turkey baster down the baffles.

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ritter6788 · Apr 21, 2012

I use no sand or mud. No baffles either. :) just a big skimmer, a few large live rocks, and a big ball of chaeto. I like to run my fuge bare bottom so I can siphon out any detritus when I do water changes.