Reef sand in sump?

[TankLife87]

When I put my sump in place I added a lot of extra sand to the refugium area.
I think it has become a place for nitrates and detritus to build up

The sand has made its way to the return area and the skimmer area.

Any benefit to having sand or gravel in the sump? Should I just completely clean this out?

 

[Coralreefer1]

It is a way of increasing beneficial bacteria along with other benthic microorganisms, polychaete worms pods etc. I would leave it if possible.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I would remove it for the reasons you stated - detritus buildup leading to nutrient problems.

 

[Mr Fishface]

What else do you have in your refugium? Is it totally filled with rock or is there very little? If filled with lots of rock then I would leave the sand. Detritus will build up anyways and sand gives more area for bacteria and pods. If there is very little rock and you use a tumbling algae like chaeto then I would say to remove it. That way it would be easier for you to not only see the detritus but to also siphon it out.

 

[Mjrenz]

If the sand is deep then there's a couple things, anaerobic bacteria will grow which will help to process nitrates into nitrogen gas so that part can be beneficial. If you just dig it up to scoop it out you can release hydrogen sulfide gas which can quickly kill almost everything in your tank