Rosco's Reefs January 11, 2012 Share January 11, 2012 I am planning a water change soon and as I sit here looking at my sump I see a thin layer of what looks like dirt in the bottom of the sump. First I thought I would just stir it up into solution in the water to be removed and then pull it out with the water. Then I began wondering if that ?dirt? was serving any kind of biological function. Seeking advice and opinions. Thx in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheac12 January 11, 2012 Share January 11, 2012 great question, never thought it about it but tagging along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf January 11, 2012 Share January 11, 2012 Usually what you are seeing in the sump is detritus. I vaccum mine to get out as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerseller January 11, 2012 Share January 11, 2012 Usually what you are seeing in the sump is detritus. I vaccum mine to get out as much as possible. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami January 11, 2012 Share January 11, 2012 +2 on the sump dirt. Clean it out as part of your regular, long term maintenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightline January 11, 2012 Share January 11, 2012 my sump for the most part is bare bottom just for this reason a quick vacume every other day at the most 1 gallon and all gone I have found that it is so easy and my tank looks alot cleaner since i started the bare bottom sump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 12, 2012 Share January 12, 2012 Detritus = fish poop, leftover food, other misc tank stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubberFrog January 12, 2012 Share January 12, 2012 It's all future nitrates and phosphorous if you leave it in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cord February 14, 2012 Share February 14, 2012 It's all future nitrates and phosphorous if you leave it in there. Silly question I'm sure, but since your sump is beneath the tank, how do you effectively vacume the detritus on the bottom of the sump, considering the the sump is on the floor and I am unable to siphon since it sits too low? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k February 14, 2012 Share February 14, 2012 Silly question I'm sure, but since your sump is beneath the tank, how do you effectively vacume the detritus on the bottom of the sump, considering the the sump is on the floor and I am unable to siphon since it sits too low? stir it up and pump it out. easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind February 14, 2012 Share February 14, 2012 I use a Maxi-Jet power head connected to a hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosco's Reefs February 15, 2012 Author Share February 15, 2012 That's an internal pump, yes? I wanted to.use external pumps but keep getting stuck on having to prime the pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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