ShopVac for your reef !!!

[potatocouch]

My tank is 55G.

10% weekly WC = 5G.

I intend to suck detritus that are in the sump but at the same time, I was thinking, with 5G capacity of ShopVac, i could do my weekly WC too.

Question 1: has anyone does this before? safe?

I mean not just suck detritus but also to suck out the water up to max capacity of ShopVac, which is usually 5G.

Question 2: do you attach the filter that comes with it or take it out?

 

[MarcWeaver]

I do it all the time. The shop vac has a float that cuts off the suction when it gets full. The 5 gallon shop vac will only hold about 4 gallons until cutoff, though. Use the foam filter, do not use the paper filter.

 

[potatocouch]

Thanks @MarcWeaver !

Can I run it without any filter? I mean what's the point of putting filter ... at the end of the day, solids will be going into the same bucket and get thrown away anyway.

 

[potatocouch]

When picking up detritus, do you see yourself racing with time as I heard water fill up pretty quick (especially if it only fills up to 4 gallon and not 5) ?

 

[MarcWeaver]

Not sure, I never ran it without the foam filter, but I can't see where it would hurt. I used the 5 gallon bucket-topper version for wet pick-up. It's nice to have 2 buckets handy. With an empty one beside it, you can remove the vacuum top from the filled bucket and sit it on the empty bucket and keep the mess to a minimum. I don't worry about hurrying because I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid sump and I use it to vacuum the detritus out once every few months. It takes 3-4 bucket fulls to get the last 4-5 inches of water out.

 

[potatocouch]

I used the 5 gallon bucket-topper version for wet pick-up. It's nice to have 2 buckets handy. With an empty one beside it, you can remove the vacuum top from the filled bucket and sit it on the empty bucket and keep the mess to a minimum. I don't worry about hurrying because I have a 100 gallon rubbermaid sump and I use it to vacuum the detritus out once every few months. It takes 3-4 bucket fulls to get the last 4-5 inches of water out.

Sorry @MarcWeaver ... slightly confused with your reply there.

So you used the 5 gallon bucket that comes with the shopVac, right?

And you also also have another empty bucket beside it ... so when the 5 gallon shopVac bucket filled up, you pour that water into the empty bucket then carry on vacuuming ...

so with your 100 gallon sump, with 3 - 4 buckets full, you're only removing 20 gallon out from your sump, yeah?

 

[jaws789832]

Home depot sells a shop vac top that fits onto the homer buckets. I think that's what he is talking about. I was thinking about getting one for that purpose and now that I know it will work I am pretty sure I will.

 

[MarcWeaver]

Yup, you can't beat it for $25, including the two buckets. I use it for wet pickup only. The thing that sucks the most about regular shop vacs is that when you take the top off of one without a tank drain, it drips water everywhere. The smaller ones did not have tank drains when I was looking for them. With 2 buckets, I just remove the top, install it on the other bucket, then dump the full bucket, and keep going.

 

[hybridazn]

That's what I use. I just strap it to a 5 gallon bucket and go to town. I run it without the foam filter since it's not nessesary

 

[jetmaker]

Thanks @MarcWeaver !

Can I run it without any filter? I mean what's the point of putting filter ... at the end of the day, solids will be going into the same bucket and get thrown away anyway.

Yes

 

[Polyp Addict]

This is what I use and have no issues. I also run it without a filter and just dump once full. This is how I do my water changes as well. Just suck up all the detritus from the sump. Just buy the bucket head from home depot and then a 5g bucket.

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Ha...-Wet-Dry-Vacuums/Bucket-Head/N-5yc1vZc2f8Z4oz

 

[monkiboy]

you can also just get the shopvac with the built in pump and run your hose to the sink or drain and not worry about swapping container or emptying yourself. once it senses it's near full the built in pump starts up or you can turn it on manually and it'll pump out while you vacuum up; it's nice not having to move water buckets or a shop vac full of water around if that's what you're currently doing when cleaning out your sump.

 

[dbl]

you can also just get the shopvac with the built in pump and run your hose to the sink or drain and not worry about swapping container or emptying yourself. once it senses it's near full the built in pump starts up or you can turn it on manually and it'll pump out while you vacuum up; it's nice not having to move water buckets or a shop vac full of water around if that's what you're currently doing when cleaning out your sump.

Please share maker of vac with built in pump. Love this idea.

 

[monkiboy]

Please share maker of vac with built in pump. Love this idea.

it's a shop-vac model, sir. yes, it is very convenient.

edit: this is the one I have used http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-9689...BYK4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1456365706&sr=8-6

 

[dbl]

it's a shop-vac model, sir. yes, it is very convenient.

edit: this is the one I have used http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Vac-9689...BYK4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1456365706&sr=8-6

Ordered! Thanks for sharing this.

 

[monkiboy]

Ordered! Thanks for sharing this.

you're welcome, sir.

 

[bozo]

I use a shop vac. Clean out my skimmer section and call that a 8 gallon water change lol

 

[ImGood]

I'm glad to see this posted,I was curious myself about using a shopvac , thanks for the info

 

[potatocouch]

Some people said not to use shopVac to vacuum the water ... but only aim for the detritus ...

So what they're suggesting is to pump majority of the water out .. then what's left is the detritus and small amount of water .. that's what you shopVac.

Agree/Disagree?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Hey everyone! ADD AN AVATAR! HAHA! Good thread.