Cleaning sump

[ReefJCB]

So I’ve been noticing a bunch of detritus floating around the bottom of my sump. Looking for tips for cleaning this out and what people are doing to maintain their sumps.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Wet/Dry shop vacs work great for sucking up detritus. Usually done during a water change, this one seems to be pretty popular as you can fit it to a bucket.
Otherwise if you're able to, a return pump can be used, but you have to have some water in the bucket first for it to make suction.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yep to a wet vac. Pump out as much water with a pump and finish up the clean up with a wet vac. I do this maybe every 3 - 6 months. The first time I noted the detritus, I wasn't expecting it....it was in the section where the water first goes through a filter sock. Obviously the sock doesn't trap everything....it was a mess:

After the clean up

 

[SPR1968]

I have the python water changer and it works very well for both water changes and cleaning all the rubbish out of the sump

I originally purchased it for cleaning the rubbish out of the sump

 

[SammieT]

Wet/Dry shop vacs work great for sucking up detritus. Usually done during a water change, this one seems to be pretty popular as you can fit it to a bucket.
Otherwise if you're able to, a return pump can be used, but you have to have some water in the bucket first for it to make suction.

That's a good idea to run that on the sump and have the motor return the water back with a filer sock attached to the bottom

 

[Crabs McJones]

That's a good idea to run that on the sump and have the motor return the water back with a filer sock attached to the bottom

I've also heard of this, but never used it. Would be interested to hear first hand experience if anyone has
https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Gravel-Cleaner-Sludge-Extractor/dp/B003C5U2SU

 

[jtl]

I use a Bucket Head and a 5 gallon bucket. Cheap and easy to use.

 

[ReefJCB]

I never would have thought to use a shop vac, had one collecting dust in the garage that got put to use today! Thanks for the advice!

 

[lapin]

I've also heard of this, but never used it. Would be interested to hear first hand experience if anyone has
https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Gravel-Cleaner-Sludge-Extractor/dp/B003C5U2SU

I got one for my old 125g years ago. If you suck up any sand or bigger stuff it clogs in a split second. After a few times it was tossed in the give away pile. The flaw is the same with a lot of home vaccums that suck dirt thru the blades.

 

[cracker]

Tou Folks said it all, Love my bucket Head . Good for other stuff also like tight corners where a big shop vac is impractical .

 

[SammieT]

I've also heard of this, but never used it. Would be interested to hear first hand experience if anyone has
https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Gravel-Cleaner-Sludge-Extractor/dp/B003C5U2SU

I actually run the motor from the sump with a filter sock into a 35 gallon brute and with a pump inside the brute returning back into tank

works fine for me


and I've tried those gravel cleaners, wasn't a fan
lasted a week or two at most