Cleaning acrylic sump

Lovefish77 · Sep 21, 2022

Hi everyone

I am about to do a major clean up in my acrylic sump (way overdue). Any tips on how to clean the gunk on the acrylic walls of the sump without scratching? I read using vinegar but there is algae and like calcium build up on the acrylic.

Let me know what you think

Thanks a lot

Timfish · Sep 21, 2022

It sounds like you're taking the sump off line which I wouldn't do. I also wouldn't do more than just simply wipe the sides off and siphon some of the gunk out. The biofilms and sponges that are grwoing on the sides are important components of a reef ecosystem and I wouldn't remove them myself.

Lovefish77 · Sep 21, 2022

Timfish said:
It sounds like you're taking the sump off line which I wouldn't do. I also wouldn't do more than just simply wipe the sides off and siphon some of the gunk out. The biofilms and sponges that are grwoing on the sides are important components of a reef ecosystem and I wouldn't remove them myself.

Thanks but not removing the sump at all. Just taking out all the equipment out, siphoning all water in the sump ((with gunk at the bottom) and that is it. But the walls are so dirty with those tiny white dots so wanted to clean those out. All the equipment will be taken out and cleaned as well.

Timfish · Sep 21, 2022

If you're taking all the water out and thinking of cleaning the sump with fresh water aor vinegar it sounds to me like you're taking it off line.

FWIW I look at my sumps and see all that stuff and gunk and think how important it is to a reef ecosystem. Even the detritus that collects at the bottom can be helpful to maintaining carbonate chemistry in a reef ecosystem.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1015895108

nereefpat · Sep 21, 2022

There are scrapers made for acrylic. Credit card works okay.

Lovefish77 · Sep 21, 2022

Timfish said:
If you're taking all the water out and thinking of cleaning the sump with fresh water aor vinegar it sounds to me like you're taking it off line. FWIW I look at my sumps and see all that stuff and gunk and think how important it is to a reef ecosystem. Even the detritus that collects at the bottom can be helpful to maintaining carbonate chemistry in a reef ecosystem.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1015895108

You are tempting me to proceed with being lazy lol. I have thick crud at the bottom, also like 1/4" crud at the bottom of overflow boxes (I have 2). So you dont want me to clean that stuff? I wanted to clean that as i cannot get my nitrates below 20ppm even with all the filtration i have in the tank.
For instance have a bunch of these things on the wall that I need to clean. Any idea what they are?

nereefpat · Sep 21, 2022

Lovefish77 said:
I have thick crud at the bottom, also like 1/4" crud at the bottom of overflow boxes (I have 2).

Shop vac works good for that.

Lovefish77 · Sep 21, 2022

nereefpat said:
Shop vac works good for that.

Thanks or I can use the pump I use for water changes (the one that sucks water from the bottom).

nereefpat · Sep 21, 2022

Lovefish77 said:
Thanks or I can use the pump I use for water changes (the one that sucks water from the bottom).

Yes, the suction end of a powerhead or submersible pump can work if it doesn't clog.

Lovefish77 · Sep 21, 2022

Thanks guys, anyone know what those white stringy algae in the pic is?

SPS2020 · Sep 21, 2022

I use an electric fuel pump from amazon to vacuum detritis off the bottom of the sump and an Original Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Sponge for the sides. Those two items are staples for me.

nereefpat · Sep 21, 2022

I'm bad at invert ID. Various worms/filter feeders, instead of algae

Lovefish77 · Sep 21, 2022

nereefpat said:
I'm bad at invert ID. Various worms/filter feeders, instead of algae

Filter feeders? Really? Always thought they are white algae

nereefpat · Sep 21, 2022

Lovefish77 said:
Filter feeders? Really? Always thought they are white algae

As far as I know, anything photosynthetic would have pigment (color)

SlugSnorter · Sep 22, 2022

Lovefish77 said:
Thanks guys, anyone know what those white stringy algae in the pic is?

bacteria or worms

Timfish · Sep 22, 2022

Lovefish77 said:
You are tempting me to proceed with being lazy lol. I have thick crud at the bottom, also like 1/4" crud at the bottom of overflow boxes (I have 2). So you dont want me to clean that stuff? I wanted to clean that as i cannot get my nitrates below 20ppm even with all the filtration i have in the tank.
For instance have a bunch of these things on the wall that I need to clean. Any idea what they are?

The white stringy things are small feather dusters that make a calcium tube. The white spiral dots are a filter feeding snails. Both I would consider beneficial and leave alone. As far as the nitrates the primary source is the food you're adding to the system. Any of the methods mentioned above will remove the detritus without having to kill the animals on the sides but I'd leave it myself. I don't know what your water change regimen is but since water changes are the best way to reduce the unfavorable DOCs produced in your system I would focus on increased water changes and experimenting with how much food is being added to reduce nitrates long term.

Lovefish77 · Sep 22, 2022

Timfish said:
The white stringy things are small feather dusters that make a calcium tube. The white spiral dots are a filter feeding snails. Both I would consider beneficial and leave alone. As far as the nitrates the primary source is the food you're adding to the system. Any of the methods mentioned above will remove the detritus without having to kill the animals on the sides but I'd leave it myself. I don't know what your water change regimen is but since water changes are the best way to reduce the unfavorable DOCs produced in your system I would focus on increased water changes and experimenting with how much food is being added to reduce nitrates long term.

I do a 25% wc once a month. Filtration I have a skimmer and a ATS scrubber. I feed a lot like 4-5 cubes a day or more. Plus I have black widow anemones that get fed pieces of sea food like once a week (like 5 table shrimps in total lol)

SteveMM62Reef · Sep 22, 2022

I use two Lab Wash Down Bottles, One has the Internal straw cut off for upside down use. Wash the Salt Creep Down. Toothbrush for the Corners, and Edges. Once or Twice a year, I’ll suck the Gunk out. Made a vacuum Isolation Bucket with a couple of fittings. Saltwater is terrible on Shop Vacs, LOL. Couldn’t stand the Bearings Whining. Yes, I put new bearings in, gluten for punishment.