Sump cleaning

Bj’s Reef · Feb 8, 2017

How are you cleaning the settlement's from your sump? I'm just trying to get some ideas fro everyone as to what works for them. Thanks in advance for your input.

Griff · Feb 8, 2017

Home Depot 5 gallon bucket clip on shop vac.

I haves 30 gallon sump. I use six 5 gallon Home Depot buckets. I fill them all then use a large filter sock clipped inside the display and pour the water back through the sock into the display.

Griff · Feb 8, 2017

If opt for this route do t forget to take the air filter off the shop vac

Bj’s Reef · Feb 10, 2017

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try.

Griff · Feb 10, 2017

Let us know how it goes

wkscott · Feb 10, 2017

I use the shop vac also. However I do it monthly. I turn off my return pump and suck all of the water and gunk out of the sump. Then I use an aquarium-only sponge to get the remaining fine particles. I don't return the water to the tank, even through a filter sock, because it is full of nasty disolved organics. I replace the old water with freshly made saltwater as part of my water change.This will keep your sump AND your tank fresh and clean.

Griff · Feb 10, 2017

I add the existing water back because I can't seem to get my nitrates up above 0. I'm dosing nitrate balancer from UWC just to keep it above 0. Wkscott has a good point though. You could use fresh mixed saltwater and consider that your water change for the week.

wkscott · Feb 10, 2017

Griff said:
I add the existing water back because I can't seem to get my nitrates up above 0. I'm dosing nitrate balancer from UWC just to keep it above 0. Wkscott has a good point though. You could use fresh mixed saltwater and consider that your water change for the week.

Good point if you have low nutrients. I can't get my nitrates under 50 so I take every opportunity to eport them when possible.