How to clean out sump?

ReefTourist · 03/09/2006, 04:25 PM

So I made the mistake of running the return pump during the sand storm from filling the tank, and now the sump has a bunch of silt in it. Any suggestions on how to clean it out?

I was thinking of just mixing it all up, and when it came time to turn everything back on it would eventually find its way to the display to settle.... but not sure that would work.

waldomas · 03/09/2006, 04:32 PM

Try a large turkey baster, or a shop vac!

fio1022 · 03/09/2006, 05:12 PM

I've used a magnum canister filter to vacuum my sump in the past.Works great...

Mike.B · 03/09/2006, 05:21 PM

Haha I did the exact same thing 3 days ago, I added 2 bags of sand, didnt rinse any of it and the sump the overflow had a bunch of sand and white **** in it.

So I first drained the sump to as little as I could, washed all the equipment, then use towels or whatever you can to pick up the rest of the sand, shopvac might work but I doubt it because its kinda stuck to everything because of the water.

It's quite the PITA but, **** happens and you only got to do it once.

ReefTourist · 03/09/2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by subzero420
Haha I did the exact same thing 3 days ago, I added 2 bags of sand, didnt rinse any of it and the sump the overflow had a bunch of sand and white **** in it.

So I first drained the sump to as little as I could, washed all the equipment, then use towels or whatever you can to pick up the rest of the sand, shopvac might work but I doubt it because its kinda stuck to everything because of the water.

It's quite the PITA but, **** happens and you only got to do it once.

Exactly. At least I only have to do it once.... it sticks to everything... I'll try using a sponge to wipe the glass...

03/09/2006, 04:25 PM	#1
ReefTourist Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Culpeper, VA Posts: 108	How to clean out sump? So I made the mistake of running the return pump during the sand storm from filling the tank, and now the sump has a bunch of silt in it. Any suggestions on how to clean it out? I was thinking of just mixing it all up, and when it came time to turn everything back on it would eventually find its way to the display to settle.... but not sure that would work.

03/09/2006, 05:12 PM	#3
fio1022 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: NY Posts: 1,557	I've used a magnum canister filter to vacuum my sump in the past.Works great... __________________ its all about time,space,and money Current Tank Info: 240g,64g acrylic sump/fuge.

03/09/2006, 04:32 PM	#2
waldomas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: south central Pa. Posts: 761	Try a large turkey baster, or a shop vac!

03/09/2006, 05:21 PM	#4
Mike.B Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 548	Haha I did the exact same thing 3 days ago, I added 2 bags of sand, didnt rinse any of it and the sump the overflow had a bunch of sand and white ** in it. So I first drained the sump to as little as I could, washed all the equipment, then use towels or whatever you can to pick up the rest of the sand, shopvac might work but I doubt it because its kinda stuck to everything because of the water. It's quite the PITA but, ** happens and you only got to do it once.