Powerheads in sump compartments?

[kevin_e]

What are the thoughts on that? I don't use a filtersock so the sump becomes a place where sediment falls out, which is part of the intent, right? Should I siphon that material out from time to time or keep it suspended with powerheads?

 

[virtual reality]

I would siphon it out. What are you doing for mechanical filtration?

 

[kevin_e]

I would siphon it out. What are you doing for mechanical filtration?

I have a skimmer.

 

[virtual reality]

You should have something. Even a sponge you could clean every couple days. The sediment will lay
in the bottom of your sump, and slowly decline the cleanliness of your water. That's not good for anything.

 

[jda]

Let it settle and then pump it out. "Keeping everything suspended until the skimmer can get it" is a pipe dream. If you do not let it settle in your sump, it will settle in the tank. It is going to be benign, so get it out, but there is no hurry.

 

[ca1ore]

I have a pump in my chaeto section to, in theory, keep it tumbling. Of course, power head gets all clogged up with chaeto in about 5 minutes. Mostly pointless.

 

[Jonreefer]

i have a filter sock but I have a little 80gph pump in that chamber since the heater is in there to help circulate the heated water better and to circulate the solution when my dosing pumps go off so get less precip

 

[KJoFan]

I have a pump in my chaeto section to, in theory, keep it tumbling. Of course, power head gets all clogged up with chaeto in about 5 minutes. Mostly pointless.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with this exact problem. The powerhead tumbles the chaeto for...a week? after I trim it, then it gets bigger and doesn't move at all. And then some breaks off and clogs up the powerhead. Rinse, repeat.

I struggle with how to manage my sump as well. I have a Triton sump, so no mechanical filtration except a skimmer. I actually slowed my return pump down recently to slow the flow in the sump (I don't actually use the Triton method) and let detritus settle in the sump instead of the display. But, my chaeto ends up all full of detritus and it all just looks a mess. Add to that I have more hair algae than anything growing in the sump. But, I guess nutrient control is nutrient control, eh?

I do wish I could implement filter socks or something from time to time to manage the detritus a bit more.

 

[ryeguyy84]

I have a cobalt mj1200 in my chaeto section. I cut out the plastic piece on the inlet and any chaeto that's sucked up just shoots right back out.

Those pumps can take abuse