Sump mess, clean out help!

[Outatime]

Hi All
My Water box has been left for a while and I got caught up with work and life, now trying to work on my tank again, phosphate is a little high in this one so I am starting out by cleaning the sump out as it's a mess, I really just want to get the shop vac out and clean it up but it's teaming with life, see video attached below. How can I clean it out please and trying to keep the pods and what not kill to a minimum? I know a few bristle worms in there small ones, what should I do about them? I guess between them all it's my tank is still working after a bit of neglect. Any advice please? I plan on running Rowaphos to try lower the phosphates in a reactor when it's done. Nitrates are about 2.4 right now too, think that's ok ?

Thank you

 

[exnisstech]

I don't know of any way to clean it without removing the small life forms. I typically never clean my sumps. Much of what you will remove is habitat for the creatures you don't want to kill.

 

[Outatime]

Thank you , yeah it just seems really dirty and didn't think it was helping. Maybe a couple of snails would help?