Keeping Sump Clean

HwaRangReefer · 01/21/2009, 01:33 AM

can someone please give me a few tips on keeping my sump clean.

thanks alot

btb72 · 01/21/2009, 01:53 AM

wet-dry shop vac

Michael · 01/21/2009, 01:59 AM

use a filter net bag around the intake from the dt, this way all the detritus will get stopped from flowing around the sump

Playa-1 · 01/21/2009, 05:19 AM

I find that a filter sock over the end of the drain line tends to keep detritus out of the sump.

For the occasional cleaning there are a few different techniques that come to mind. Sometimes I will clean the sump a little during a water change. I will turn the return pump off and drop a powerhead into the section to be cleaned. Then with a small pump and hose I pump the dirty water from that section and replace with freshly mixed saltwater.

If detritus is settling in the skimmer area then turn off the return pump and leave the skimmer running. Drop a powerhead in the skimmer section to get the detritus back into the water column. The skimmer should take care of it from there. This could be done in other area of the sump by using a powerhead to stir up the detritus and then a pump to pump the dirty water to the skimmer section and let the skimmer pull out the detritus.

Another technique that I have used during a water change is to use a wet-vac and vacuum out the detritus. This technique works well if you have detritus or spent filter media in a bubble trap. Precautions should be considered as some wet-vac machines will leak when overfilled with water.

The best way to deal with it in my opinion is to run the filter sock and keep it out of the sump to begin with. This exports the detritus and helps to prevent it from fouling the water quality.

Guygettnby · 01/21/2009, 06:55 AM

i use a filter sock to help keep the sump cleaner. only problem with that is you have to clean it off at least once a week. but i dont have any problems with cleaning it off personally.

vetdog · 02/08/2009, 05:05 PM

definitely using a filter sock will help to keep the sump clean

Whys · 02/08/2009, 05:18 PM

It's hard to follow on your heals playa. Always good advice.

I go more for quantity myself.

+1 on the micron sock. Never thought I would love these things so much, but I do. They reduce micro bubbles and if cinched closed help reduce evaporation as well. Keep it clean. Always keep it clean.

mg426 · 02/08/2009, 05:57 PM

Filter socks here.

01/21/2009, 01:33 AM	#1
HwaRangReefer Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 20	Keeping Sump Clean can someone please give me a few tips on keeping my sump clean. thanks alot

01/21/2009, 01:59 AM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	use a filter net bag around the intake from the dt, this way all the detritus will get stopped from flowing around the sump __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

02/08/2009, 05:05 PM	#6
vetdog Space cadet Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Huntingtown, MD Posts: 1,400	definitely using a filter sock will help to keep the sump clean __________________ Any emotion, if it is sincere, is involuntary. ~Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 300 gallon DD reef tank, RedSea MaxE260

02/08/2009, 05:57 PM	#8
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	Filter socks here. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

01/21/2009, 01:53 AM	#2
btb72 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: KY Posts: 657	wet-dry shop vac

01/21/2009, 05:19 AM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I find that a filter sock over the end of the drain line tends to keep detritus out of the sump. For the occasional cleaning there are a few different techniques that come to mind. Sometimes I will clean the sump a little during a water change. I will turn the return pump off and drop a powerhead into the section to be cleaned. Then with a small pump and hose I pump the dirty water from that section and replace with freshly mixed saltwater. If detritus is settling in the skimmer area then turn off the return pump and leave the skimmer running. Drop a powerhead in the skimmer section to get the detritus back into the water column. The skimmer should take care of it from there. This could be done in other area of the sump by using a powerhead to stir up the detritus and then a pump to pump the dirty water to the skimmer section and let the skimmer pull out the detritus. Another technique that I have used during a water change is to use a wet-vac and vacuum out the detritus. This technique works well if you have detritus or spent filter media in a bubble trap. Precautions should be considered as some wet-vac machines will leak when overfilled with water. The best way to deal with it in my opinion is to run the filter sock and keep it out of the sump to begin with. This exports the detritus and helps to prevent it from fouling the water quality.

01/21/2009, 06:55 AM	#5
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	i use a filter sock to help keep the sump cleaner. only problem with that is you have to clean it off at least once a week. but i dont have any problems with cleaning it off personally.

02/08/2009, 05:18 PM	#7
Whys Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,263	It's hard to follow on your heals playa. Always good advice. I go more for quantity myself. +1 on the micron sock. Never thought I would love these things so much, but I do. They reduce micro bubbles and if cinched closed help reduce evaporation as well. Keep it clean. Always keep it clean.