Bottom of sump..blehhh

[frankm88]

I have an all in one system and i am having trouble keeping the bottom of the sump clean. There are three chambers one for the skimmer one for the media basket which i made and one for the return. I cant seem to keep the bottom of the skimmer and return side clean. The middle chamber i have directed the water down through the filter media and back up and the constant bottom flow keeps it clean. Besides using a siphon to vacuum the bottom clean every week, what do you guys do to keep your sump clean? Would adding mud/crushed coral help?

 

[Waters]

Other than using filter socks or some other type of pre-filter material there isn't a whole lot you can do.....I think adding mud/crushed coral would only make it worse. You just won't be able to see it. Each week when I do water changes, I just use a turkey baster and suck up anything on the bottom and just squirt it into the sock. I change the sock as my last step.

 

[ravi197699]

I have an all in one system and i am having trouble keeping the bottom of the sump clean. There are three chambers one for the skimmer one for the media basket which i made and one for the return. I cant seem to keep the bottom of the skimmer and return side clean. The middle chamber i have directed the water down through the filter media and back up and the constant bottom flow keeps it clean. Besides using a siphon to vacuum the bottom clean every week, what do you guys do to keep your sump clean? Would adding mud/crushed coral help?

you can add small power head in those compartments in those compartments and leave them on all the time or turn them on only when you need to stirrup the water. I had same issue in my sump and i added maxijet 900 that keeps water moving and nothings sits on the bottom anymore... I hope this helps...

 

[evolved]

I would argue the sump is doing exactly what you want it to do. The detritus is collecting and settling in a spot where you can then easily export it! That's much preferrable to it setting into the DT and working it's way into the sandbed.

 

[Daddio]

I only clean my sump a couple of times a year - and then not sparkling clean. I agree with evolved. That is exactly what your sump is for (aside from hiding equipment) - to collect larger detritus that your skimmer can't process.

Im not sure you want to stir up the muck in the bottom of your sump though - the sump has worked hard collecting it. Its also a great food for your critters (pods, worms, etc) in your sump. I used to keep mine clean but it is enough work to keep the display tank looking nice!