Best Sump Vacuum

[Ironfish]

Title is pretty straightforward.

I've tried a couple different vacuums over the years but nothing is/was amazing.
Battery operated, plugged in, air pump driven, etc.

I'd like to hear what's your favorite Vacuum for a crystal clean Sump!

 

[Reefing_addiction]

I hate cleaning my sump

I have used a shop vac…on the side with the return pump…pull the divider all the way up and vacuumed the junk out, but doing that on the rest means removing more water than I would with a normal water change…

I’ve also removed as much water as possible and ran it through a filter into my mixing trash can. Then removed all the rocks and cheato and vacuumed out the crud

Too much work

 

[topjimmy]

Bucket head from home Depot

 

[mfinn]

I use a python water change hose connected to my sink in my garage. Sucks most everything out very well.
On the rare occasion when I need to pull the sump out and deep clean, I use a cheap shop vac from harbor freight.

 

[Dom]

Title is pretty straightforward.

I've tried a couple different vacuums over the years but nothing is/was amazing.
Battery operated, plugged in, air pump driven, etc.

I'd like to hear what's your favorite Vacuum for a crystal clean Sump!

I once asked this same question; I'd like to get the junk that has collected over the years out of my sump. But because its so close to the floor, you can't use a siphon.

 

[VintageReefer]

My LFS uses a small portable shop vac

 

[Fish_Fry]

I'm a big fan of the Sicce
Ultra Zero. It sucks down to a couple of millimeters.

 

[VintageReefer]

My LFS uses a small portable shop vac

But I just let the crap stay. That’s my murk and it’s not causing any issues

 

[Ironfish]

I once asked this same question; I'd like to get the junk that has collected over the years out of my sump. But because its so close to the floor, you can't use a siphon.

And that's the case for most of us making it more challenging to clean our sumps.

There should be more/better vacuums to do this.
Or there probably are and I haven't seen them in the marketplace.

 

[mfinn]

And that's the case for most of us making it more challenging to clean our sumps.

There should be more/better vacuums to do this.
Or there probably are and I haven't seen them in the marketplace ‍

That would be a python water change hose, or a small dedicated wet/dry vac.

 

[Zeefishies]

i put a small wavemaker in the sump keeps things from settling on the bottom

 

[Reefing_addiction]

i put a small wavemaker in the sump keeps things from settling on the bottom

That would work except for in my refugium.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

That would be a python water change hose, or a small dedicated wet/dry vac.

I may actually look into a small dedicated dry/wet vac. Currently I use the larger one I have and only when I want to complete clean out the sump.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

And that's the case for most of us making it more challenging to clean our sumps.

There should be more/better vacuums to do this.
Or there probably are and I haven't seen them in the marketplace.

Problem with most “pump operated” sump vacuumed is that they clog easily.

I think @mfinn has the right idea with a small dedicated wet/dry vac

 

[mfinn]

I may actually look into a small dedicated dry/wet vac. Currently I use the larger one I have and only when I want to complete clean out the sump.

I used a small 5-6 gallon one for close to 20 years before I replaced it with a new 6 gallon on from harbor freight.
I would use it and most of the time I would empty it and rinse in. There has been a few times that I used it and forgot there was sump water/detritus in it for a month or so. Pretty stinky, but it still worked.

 

[reeftivo]

i use a big turkey baster and my python to get most the junk.

when i need a deep cleaning which includes rinsing my media bags, i use the python and my little 2.5 gl armor all wet dry for the bottom sludge. works great for me. 2 horse, compact and easy to carry to the sink or gutter . It was like 38 bucks at walmart

here's a pic. much smaller than it looks and has lots of nook and cranny attachments

 

[Ironfish]

I may actually look into a small dedicated dry/wet vac. Currently I use the larger one I have and only when I want to complete clean out the sump.

Did you end up getting one? Which one?
I did my big yearly clean of the sump yesterday and of course started thinking about this again.
I'm now browsing to get one.

 

[Ironfish]

i use a big turkey baster and my python to get most the junk.

when i need a deep cleaning which includes rinsing my media bags, i use the python and my little 2.5 gl armor all wet dry for the bottom sludge. works great for me. 2 horse, compact and easy to carry to the sink or gutter . It was like 38 bucks at walmart

here's a pic. much smaller than it looks and has lots of nook and cranny attachments

I found this Armor all in Amazon. It's not 38 anymore but $69 (2.5gal).
There's also an 8gal for $99.

So you just vacuum from the bottom of the sump? No leaks?
The 2.5gal probably fill up pretty quick? I'm not sure how strong the pump/vacuum is in terms of flow.

 

[reeftivo]

I found this Armor all in Amazon. It's not 38 anymore but $69 (2.5gal).
There's also an 8gal for $99.

So you just vacuum from the bottom of the sump? No leaks?
The 2.5gal probably fill up pretty quick? I'm not sure how strong the pump/vacuum is in terms of flow.

sorry for the late reply

WOW! 69 bucks now? YIKES!

i have 3 shop vacs and they all work great but the bigger ones are a PIA to move out for dumping once full.

These things fill up FAST so beware.

That's why i prefer the smaller one. I use my python connected to my patio spigot to get the bulk of the water out and then i just use the small vac to pull out the sludge. my python will pull down to an inch in the sump and the 2.5 does the rest.

 

[Scoob]

Bucket Head 5 Gallon 1.75 Peak HP Wet Dry Vacuum Powerhead Shop Vac with Filter Bag and Hose (compatible with 5 Gal. Homer Bucket) BH0100 - The Home Depot

The Bucket Head Wet Dry Vacuum Powerhead can be used to turn a The Home Depot brand 5 gal. multi-use bucket (sold separately) into a powerful wet dry vacuum. The powerhead features a 1.75 peak horsepower

www.homedepot.com