Siphon out detritus from sump .

[Curtisw]

Hey All,

I have a Red Sea Reefer 250 and with it get a nice build up of detritus in the 1st chamber where the water enters the sump. Also have some in the skimmer chamber but its nothing to what accumulated in the first section.

Can you show me the ways you go about siphoning your sumps when they are on ground level as its a pain having to drain it all and try to mop up all the detritus that doesn't get collected. Thanks.

 

[cloak]

A cheap powerhead and some vinyl hosing should do the trick. Just put the proper size/length hosing on the outlet of the powerhead and then use the other side to suck up the detritus. Piece of cake.
Some people have been known to use a Shop-Vac for this as well.

 

[Scubabum]

I have used a Bucket head from Home Depot. Recently bought an inline Cobalt pump for siphoning out detritus from my Reefer sump. Both work well. With the inline pump you can just siphon into a filter sock not losing any water.

 

[Whipples]

You can take a small MJ-XXX pump of your choosing (i would recommend a lower flow one so you don't drain water faster than you can suck detritus) and just drop it in, use the inlet to suck the detritus out and the outlet to a wastewater bucket.

 

[Curtisw]

I have used a Bucket head from Home Depot. Recently bought an inline Cobalt pump for siphoning out detritus from my Reefer sump. Both work well. With the inline pump you can just siphon into a filter sock not losing any water.

Something like this?

 

[Scubabum]

Something like this?

Thats the one

 

[BigHildy53]

I've used a shop vac and basically performed a water change via sump. But I like some of the other ideas above.

 

[WVNed]

I run a canister filter on the sump for 1/2 hour periodically.

 

[Highgrade]

I've used a shop vac and basically performed a water change via sump. But I like some of the other ideas above.

+1 on the shop vac. You can only siphon so much out with a pump. Usually I siphon all the clean water out first without stirring up the detritus. Then I use the shop vac to get the rest.

 

[marvelousone]

I use a shop vac. 5 gal

 

[SPR1968]

I use the Python water changer and it works an absolute treat, and makes water changes very easy and you just siphon out the sum at the same time.

In my case the water change is all from the sump so I basically empty and clean out the sump with the Python.

 

[Moebius9]

TeraPump TRHA01 Battery Operated Liquid Transfer Pump

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00APU2X0K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[SandJ]

A lot of people recommend this shop vac that attaches to a 5 gallon bucket.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Can also use one of the cobalt inline pumps, into a filter sock back into your sump, then you don't have to worry about mixing up replacement water.

 

[roberthu526]

Can also use one of the cobalt inline pumps, into a filter sock back into your sump, then you don't have to worry about mixing up replacement water.

+1 on this

 

[maroun.c]

If u have a floor drain a simple hose, place one side in sump water (support it or have someone hold it) suck on next end till water flows (try to avoid drinking the water which tends to happen at times) place end in floor drain go back to sump and move hose around to suck all detritus.

 

[Amoo]

i do the water through a PH into filter sock once a month (even bare bottom)for the DT and once or twice a year for the sump. Works like a charm and I don't have to worry about water changes. I simply consider it part of my "tank maintenance schedule" and do it at the same time I'm doing things like soaking and cleaning pumps/powerheads...etc.

 

[mta_morrow]

i do the water through a PH into filter sock once a month (even bare bottom)for the DT and once or twice a year for the sump. Works like a charm and I don't have to worry about water changes. I simply consider it part of my "tank maintenance schedule" and do it at the same time I'm doing things like soaking and cleaning pumps/powerheads...etc.

^^^^^^exactly the same routine!

 

[ReefWithCare]

Can also use one of the cobalt inline pumps, into a filter sock back into your sump, then you don't have to worry about mixing up replacement water.

The sock catches everything and doesn’t dirty up your sump? I heard about this idea for gravel vacuuming as well

 

[Amoo]

The sock catches everything and doesn’t dirty up your sump? I heard about this idea for gravel vacuuming as well

I sometimes go through 2/3 socks while doing the sump, but yup. you're at least getting 90-95% of it.