Clean My Sump

russbriscoe · 07-24-2006, 08:24 PM

I occasionally vacuum the sand on my tank with a siphon cleaner. Today I was trying to clean my sump and that doesn’t wok out too well because can get it to siphon. Does anyone have an idea for this? How do you guys get all the funk off the bottom of your sump?

ScruffyRubicon · 07-24-2006, 08:28 PM

That's odd! I was sitting here wondering the best way to clean mine out too! My old sump was very small and I just emtpied it and pulled it from under the tank for cleaning.

seshapir · 07-24-2006, 08:31 PM

I need to clean mine too and I'm thinking the only way to do it is with a wet/dry vac

ScruffyRubicon · 07-24-2006, 08:34 PM

That may be my answer. Then wipe the inside out and refill.

Tim224DT · 07-24-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seshapir

I need to clean mine too and I'm thinking the only way to do it is with a wet/dry vac

That is one way you can also use a small power head to pump the water out.

Tim

Fly Guy · 07-24-2006, 08:41 PM

shop vac to the rescue once again!!!

Tim224DT · 07-24-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

shop vac to the rescue once again!!!

Tim

cobray · 07-24-2006, 09:48 PM

Great question. It's been rattling around in my head for the last week or so. After I get the rest of these bio balls out, I think I'll try draining it with a power head then vacuuming out the sludge.

volitansman · 07-24-2006, 09:58 PM

I use the python clean and fill system, it doesn't require a siphon as it hooks to your faucet and uses a venturi.

russbriscoe · 07-25-2006, 12:57 PM

I am thinking a powerhead might work. I can not use a shop vac. My sump is very large and I can not drain all the water out of it. Are there any critters that will eat the stuff at the bottom and require no light? Maybe I could put a bunch of them in.

my sump is two 150gal rubbermaid containers.

Fly Guy · 07-25-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russbriscoe

I am thinking a powerhead might work. I can not use a shop vac. My sump is very large and I can not drain all the water out of it. Are there any critters that will eat the stuff at the bottom and require no light? Maybe I could put a bunch of them in.

my sump is two 150gal rubbermaid containers.

Use an attachment to the shop vac channeling it down to about 1/2 " or whatever depending on what you are picking up and suck the crap out.

Loverotties · 07-25-2006, 01:41 PM

How about one of those battery operated vacs?