Cleaning the sump

[Tuan’s Reef]

I have a AIO (IM Nuvo 20). I don’t have too much going on in the sump area. Skimmer, UV, media caddy , good size bag of seachem matrix and marine pure balls. I have never siphon or clean this area. It’s been running since mid Oct 2018.

What’s best practice for sump cleaning? I’m afraid I could release something toxic.... I could use the return pump to siphon the middle chamber and possibly find a small pump to siphon the other chambers .

 

[JVan82]

I remove everything from mine at least once a quarter, and scrub it down, then syphon the water out of it. That doubles as a weekly water change.

 

[lapin]

Tank and sump started Jan 2018 . I use filter socks. Sump has never been cleaned. I have semi cryptic sponges with some rock in it.
Cleaning yours; I would siphon out all the junk.

 

[mtraylor]

Use a shop vac