what do you do for your sump?

[aslmx]

My sump is looking kinda crappy, last year I totally cleaned it and added new sand. Ive read since then that its not good to be cleaning the sump because it might start a new cycle. Is this true because I really want it to look better and add new sand and maybe even use it for a frag tank. What do you guys do for your sump-fuge?

 

[Dog Boy Dave]

some of the sand is at least 15 years old. Oldest anemone was added to system in 1995. 8 to 9 inches deep low flow. 250 watt radium 12 hours a day. Great sump. Helps keep main display nice and clean.

 

[Dog Boy Dave]

Oh, Its a 75 gallon tank. The anomones are bigger than basket balls.

 

[aslmx]

Mine is just 30 gallons. Do you clean yours or have a clean up crew in it? That's amazing. Now I am inspired, I just need some direction.

 

[Dog Boy Dave]

No i pretty much leave it alone. I harvest the algae. Some i throw away some i recycle. Here is a current video. The DSB is just part of the filter system. There are several other ways i export and process nuets beside the sump. Right now its (the sump) is pretty dirty. The way i clean it is by increasing water changes and algae export and cutting back on my feeding. I also have an area that is darker and full of sponge and live rocks. I also grow aptasia in several areas but My fish strip them and the sponges from the rocks any time i recycle them throught he main display. There are no predators in the sump. The sand is full of worms. I have not reseeded it in years but I would if I wasnt a slug. There are several other places in my system where debri tends to settle. I siphon it from there. I do not disturb the sump. Some recent video...
02-11-2012_153224 - YouTube

 

[Dog Boy Dave]

If I was going to put frags in my sump I would use egg crate suspended above the sand or frag racks on the walls. Best to keep the sand as open as you can.