Removing sand from sump

Nickel9 · Jun 14, 2013

I have a 30g sump under my 55g mixed reef with a 3" sand bed. It is about 2 years old but I want to go bare bottom. I plan on putting the flow to the sump in order to siphon the sand out, clean and add fresh salt water. Anyone see any issues with this other than a potential cycle?

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Planedoc · Jun 14, 2013

. I plan on putting the flow to the sump in order to siphon the sand out, clean and add fresh salt water.

Not sure about this... And is 3" sand in sump or tank?

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Liquid360 · Jun 14, 2013

So long as we're sharing opinions... I believe you're making a mistake. Bare bottom is great for display tank but to go without sand at all is a bad idea. Your display will look great bare and your sump will handle the bioload.

Nickel9 · Jun 14, 2013

My apologies...auto correct. Meant to say I would be cutting the flow from the display to the sump. And the 3" sand bed is in the sump, which I want to remove.

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Nickel9 · Jun 15, 2013

I have a 3" bed in the display that I intend to keep. It will be easier to maintain the sump with only macro and rubble. I expect to see a small cycle due to the bacteria I will be removing. Just wondering if anyone had tips or concerns in regards to my methods.

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DSP · Jun 15, 2013

I dont think u would have much of a cycle if any,If there was it would be just a mini cycle and i think the remaining bacteria in your display would convert it quick before it bothered any livestock,But i wouldnt add any new fish for atleast 2 weeks after you did this.I would shut off the flow completly to the display,Take all the sand and water out of the sump and replace with freshly mixed saltwater.Iv done this before with no problems.Basicaly a good size water change lol.When i turned my return pump back on i would just turn it on about a minute then shut it off for 10 minutes or so,That way there was no chance of shocking any of the livestock with all the new water that was put in the sump.

DSP · Jun 15, 2013

And i think its a good call removing the sand out of the sump.Theres not much flow in sumps and sand traps so much detritus and stuff just causes problems imo.And like you said hard to maintain

Nickel9 · Jun 15, 2013

Thanks DSP. I like the idea of slowly mixing the water after this change.

DSP · Jun 15, 2013

No problem man,Yes same here always good to be safe lol.It worked well for me.

aslmx · Jun 15, 2013

Will you have rock and cheato in it? I change my sand in the sump every year but I thought it was a must in the sump. By the way a shop vac works great on getting the sand out.

Nickel9 · Jun 16, 2013

Which I had a shop vac. It took many scoops with my hands, a couple bristle worm stings and quite a few towels. Yes I'm now running rock and chaeto only in my sump. I still have a sand bed in my display which I want to keep. Several LFS run their systems this way with great success.

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DSP · Jun 16, 2013

Yes your tank will be alot better off without the sand in the sump imo,You helped your system.Sand in a sump can realy cause problems in the long run,Unless u realy keep it clean and have lots of flow lol

Liquid360 · Jun 16, 2013

I'd've just stuck a diamond goby in the sump. Sand isn't an aesthetic thing. It serves a purpose. Just felt the need to say that. Ever seen a sandless ocean?

Nickel9 · Jun 16, 2013

Did you read my last post? (#13) I still have sand in my display.

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Liquid360 · Jun 16, 2013

Ah ok cool... my bad

Liquid360 · Jun 16, 2013

just curious... whatcha got in your sump once the sand b gone?

Planedoc · Jun 16, 2013

I run a bare bottom sump. It seems to me that when my diamond goby sifts the sand small particles float away and end up in my filter sock. The even smaller ones (less than 200 microns) make it through sock and end up settling in my sump because of the bubble trap. It's like a fine dust that I remove every 6 months or so with a shop vac a rags. I credit this for having very clear water.

Torx · Jun 16, 2013

I agree with the others. Get a ShopVac of sorts works best unless you can get a good siphon going, which is next to impossible for most in a sump. Only other way is to manually scoop it out with a ladle or something. Just be sure to eliminate the sump from the DT while you are doing it. Get all the sand out and all the water that will not be full of crud that will poison your DT before letting flow back through your sump. Best bet would be just to take the sump outside and clean it right out.