Looking for a solution to siphoning AIO sumps more efficiently. Small electric vacuum maybe?

[Rcj520]

My previous tanks have been bigger so cleaning out the sump was a really easy job for a shop vac. I have a Nuvo 20 as a frag quarantine tank now, and the shop vac would pull out water way too fast for simple cleaning. With the back sump being so small and having separate chambers, its a real PITA to using a regular siphon back there, and having to restart the siphon after each baffle.

Ideally what I am looking for would be a very small vacuum solution, that would only pull out a couple of gallons a minute, and I could attach some small hosing to it. Anyone have a solution like that?

Edit: I have found kits being sold for Sicce nano pumps and vacuum attachments, but those seem to be a submersed solution for where you can reach with you hand. Can they be used outside of the water with a hose attached to it to reach the bottom of the sump? Basically would it siphon on its own and not damage the motor with the brief time of not being wet.

 

[cylon032]

Just started using a Maxi-Jet Powerhead 1200 with the MJV-SC Vacuum Attachment instead of connecting the attachment straight to the pump I added some hose in between the two so I wouldn’t have to move the pump. The other end would either go to the drain or back to the filter sock

 

[Jbell370]

Just started using a Maxi-Jet Powerhead 1200 with the MJV-SC Vacuum Attachment instead of connecting the attachment straight to the pump I added some hose in between the two so I wouldn’t have to move the pump. The other end would either go to the drain or back to the filter sock

That is too funny. I have been looking at my sump for the past 2 weeks and bought a bucket head vac to clean it, only today did I get around to ordering a MJ and some line. This is exactly what I was looking to do. I'm really shocked there is not a lot for it, my sump is 48*18 and I would use it often.

 

[Rcj520]

Just started using a Maxi-Jet Powerhead 1200 with the MJV-SC Vacuum Attachment instead of connecting the attachment straight to the pump I added some hose in between the two so I wouldn’t have to move the pump. The other end would either go to the drain or back to the filter sock

Awesome thank you! How does it do on startup when it's dry and if you pull the hose out of the water, for example switching to a different section of the sump? Also if you happen to know, about how long do you have before a 5 gallon bucket would be filled from it?

 

[cylon032]

I was also going to get a Bucket vac then I saw this figured why not try it out so I don’t have to do a water change every time I just want to clean or if I want to take time cleaning the back of a aio nano water just goes back in. On start up just fill the hose with the attachment like you would with a regular siphon so it doesn’t start up dry. Switching between chambers of the sump it starts the siphon right back up as I try to do it as quick as possible. Not sure how long it would take never timed it but I can check it tomorrow, doing a water change.

 

[Rcj520]

I was also going to get a Bucket vac then I saw this figured why not try it out so I don’t have to do a water change every time I just want to clean or if I want to take time cleaning the back of a aio nano water just goes back in. On start up just fill the hose with the attachment like you would with a regular siphon so it doesn’t start up dry. Switching between chambers of the sump it starts the siphon right back up as I try to do it as quick as possible. Not sure how long it would take never timed it but I can check it tomorrow, doing a water change.

Sounds like exactly how I would use it. If anything, I'll just make the tubing long enough to sit the pump in the main tank and run the hose over to the sump. Looks like a super easy setup. Im all for making things easy at this point since if its easy, im more likely to do it. I just need to find an outlet with a foot switch to control it now

 

[Jbell370]

I should have mine Thursday, I'm going to just vacuum to a filter sock, should take out the nasty stuff.

 

[cylon032]

Sorry, I finally got a chance to do a water change it took 1 min 20 to fill a 5 gallon bucket.