clean sump

jtuco · 05/27/2011, 08:56 AM

How often do you clean refgium/sump have algae build up and fine sandy stuff that went through sponge in sump. I clean sponge out weekly. Can anyone shed light on this for me?

Catchoftheday · 05/27/2011, 08:59 AM

i do mine one time a month the same time i do a big water change I use a shop vac work great

thegrun · 05/27/2011, 09:29 AM

I only clean my return section out once every 6 months or so, but I don't get a lot of build-up in the return section. I clean the refugium once a year, but I blast the rock with a turkey baster monthly.

jtuco · 05/27/2011, 09:38 AM

Thanks all tank only up 4 months cleaned sump few wks ago it took 24gal wish to do 5 gal per wk so couple times a yr would be better for me build up in return minimal now thanks again

cloak · 05/27/2011, 12:30 PM

Since I don't have any baffles or a refuge in my sump, I just stir things up with a powerhead every week right before a water change. Hook up a filter sock for a few hours and I'm set. There are a few pieces of live rock down there so I guess you could call it a cryptic zone, but it never seems to get too dirty as long as I'm consistent with this. Lots of tube worms, sponges, etc.

MA4446 · 05/27/2011, 10:27 PM

I would think the algae in the sump would lower nitrates right? That's why I don't remove it... Well at least if you don't have a display sump and it's not the pest like algae (bubble or slime). Mostly keep the green/brown on the wall type. Just a thought...

muttley000 · 05/28/2011, 07:01 PM

I use some 1/2" tubing every 4th water change to clean the corners and hard to reach places in my sump

05/27/2011, 08:56 AM	#1
jtuco Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	clean sump How often do you clean refgium/sump have algae build up and fine sandy stuff that went through sponge in sump. I clean sponge out weekly. Can anyone shed light on this for me? __________________ Jeff 90gal Caralife super skimmer koralia 1400gph -2 1800gph return 2-250w radium metal halide 4-4ft.T5 bulbs

05/27/2011, 09:38 AM	#4
jtuco Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 64	Thanks all tank only up 4 months cleaned sump few wks ago it took 24gal wish to do 5 gal per wk so couple times a yr would be better for me build up in return minimal now thanks again __________________ Jeff 90gal Caralife super skimmer koralia 1400gph -2 1800gph return 2-250w radium metal halide 4-4ft.T5 bulbs

05/28/2011, 07:01 PM	#7
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	I use some 1/2" tubing every 4th water change to clean the corners and hard to reach places in my sump __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

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05/27/2011, 08:59 AM	#2
Catchoftheday Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Clemente , CA Posts: 1,865	i do mine one time a month the same time i do a big water change I use a shop vac work great

05/27/2011, 09:29 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I only clean my return section out once every 6 months or so, but I don't get a lot of build-up in the return section. I clean the refugium once a year, but I blast the rock with a turkey baster monthly.

05/27/2011, 12:30 PM	#5
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Since I don't have any baffles or a refuge in my sump, I just stir things up with a powerhead every week right before a water change. Hook up a filter sock for a few hours and I'm set. There are a few pieces of live rock down there so I guess you could call it a cryptic zone, but it never seems to get too dirty as long as I'm consistent with this. Lots of tube worms, sponges, etc.

05/27/2011, 10:27 PM	#6
MA4446 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 141	I would think the algae in the sump would lower nitrates right? That's why I don't remove it... Well at least if you don't have a display sump and it's not the pest like algae (bubble or slime). Mostly keep the green/brown on the wall type. Just a thought...