Sumps are their own little world

[ReefGeezer]

I find the bottom of the return bay really gets caked over with gunk but there is so much little creatures in this section I have to think they live off the gunk at the bottom.

I have a coarse sponge before the return bay and keep a power head running in it to keep anything that gets through stuff suspended so the return pump gets it. The bottom of that bay stays pretty clean. That works well enough that when I'm in a hurry, I just drop frozen cubes in that bay to feed the fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I clean the glass only

 

[Lavey29]

I clean the glass only

But what about all the hydroids, sponges, etc... on the glass

 

[doubleshot00]

I just found a dead shrimp in mine and it’s only been running for about a month. Idk wild

 

[Lavey29]

I just found a dead shrimp in mine and it’s only been running for about a month. Idk wild

A hitchiker?

 

[doubleshot00]

A hitchhiker?

I guess. I didn't add it.

 

[427HISS]

Both.......clean equipment lasts longer and works better.....plus I have a problem when things aren't clean....it keeps me up at night lol. If I could keep everything looking exactly the way it did the day I set it up I would be happy.

I'm the same way. Good or bad ??? lol

 

[427HISS]

Haven't cleaned my sump out in years. It's become it's own little ecosystem. Microfauna loves the mulm that collects in the corners, and it has been shown that the mulm in the corners is pretty inert, and harmless if left alone.

With all the critters in your sump (and other aquarist's here) is that because you have at least one piece of live rock to seed your display ?

 

[Lavey29]

With all the critters in your sump (and other aquarist's here) is that because you have at least one piece of live rock to seed your display ?

I didn't but lots of things just show up for the party.

 

[427HISS]

I didn't but lots of things just show up for the party.

Interesting. I wonder how, on bought corals ?

 

[Waters]

I'm the same way. Good or bad ??? lol

Well, depends on who you ask I guess lol.

 

[homer1475]

With all the critters in your sump (and other aquarist's here) is that because you have at least one piece of live rock to seed your display ?

Same as above, they just show up.

And yes, usually from frags/frag plugs. Even dipping doesn't get everything all the time.

 

[kados]

Quick clean and wipe inside the sump with every water change. I like that new car smell..

Fowlr here, no CUC or critters in the tank so that helps tremendously. No hard build-up.

 

[Lavey29]

Interesting. I wonder how, on bought corals ?

or Poseidon wishes it to be I guess.

 

[BBN Reefer]

Does anyone add CUC to their sump to help tidy it up?

 

[Lavey29]

Does anyone add CUC to their sump to help tidy it up?

I put some trochus snails in mine but limpets just showed up on their own.