Sump cleaning methods

[hypertech]

I want to clean out my sump. There is sand and other junk in there and I'd like to suck it all out. Here's the deal, I can't really pump it out. Its packed tight so, I won't be able stick a maxi jet in there an pump it. I need to suck it out.

 

Are there any pumps that create suction I could use to pump out the sump? Or is the only real option a shop vac? Unfortunately, the shop vac didn't fit on the moving truck when we moved out to the coast so I am currently without one.

Edited May 27, 2012 by hypertech

[Coral Hind]

I have used the cheap drill pumps from harbor freight for tight places before. I don't know how they would do with sand but they might be fine if you take small amounts of it at a time.

 

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/all-purpose-drill-water-pump-34302.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-drill-powered-pump-98384.html

[surf&turf]

http://www.lowes.com...%7C1&facetInfo=

 

Get one of these. 5 gallon bucket and your set.

Edited May 27, 2012 by surf&turf

[smallreef]

yeah if you can do the shopvac one it should work much better... if there is ANY amount of sand with the drill pumps it will cause it to fail quickly... and using it once in saltwater is about all your going to get out of it anyways :(

[zygote2k]

take all of the stuff out of the sump and clean it real good. only answer.

[Glenn]

take all of the stuff out of the sump and clean it real good. only answer.

 

my addendum to this is move half the 'stuff' to one side, clean that side, let the sump re-settle for a week, then do the same for the other side. It works 'ok' when you don't have spare buckets or tanks to completely empty the sump.

 

As for the cleaning, I use a long piece of vinyl tubing - but I can drain it out my back door because the deck/yard is lower than the sump level. Just start a siphon and clean, clean, clean

[ridetheducati]

As for the cleaning, I use a long piece of vinyl tubing - but I can drain it out my back door because the deck/yard is lower than the sump level. Just start a siphon and clean, clean, clean

 

This method will kill grass.

[Jan]

I syphon out all the detritus every other week with a water change. Once a month I take the skimmer and live rock out, again with a water change, to get it completely clean. I scrub the walls with a soft bristle tooth brush. I have 3 large pieces of rock in there so it's no biggy to take them out.

[hypertech]

This method will kill grass.

 

That would be fine. Then you don't have to mow.

[hypertech]

I syphon out all the detritus every other week with a water change. Once a month I take the skimmer and live rock out, again with a water change, to get it completely clean. I scrub the walls with a soft bristle tooth brush. I have 3 large pieces of rock in there so it's no biggy to take them out.

 

Sump is on the floor so no siphoning. I don't want to eat off of it. I just want to suck out the crud and sand that settled in the corners over the last year or so. It sounds like I need to watch for a sale on shop vacs.

[Jan]

Mine is on the floor too. I'm sure you'll find a way.

[Origami]

Sump is on the floor so no siphoning. I don't want to eat off of it. I just want to suck out the crud and sand that settled in the corners over the last year or so. It sounds like I need to watch for a sale on shop vacs.

Surf&Turf posted a link for one that fit's on a 5 gallon bucket. HD also has something similar. Both run about $20 or so, and may fit your needs just fine.

[zygote2k]

a small powerhead with hose on the intake works just fine. That'll be $5 please. Saved you from buying a shop vac.

[hypertech]

a small powerhead with hose on the intake works just fine. That'll be $5 please. Saved you from buying a shop vac.

 

It would work just fine, but I don't want to pull the skimmer out and I want to get in all the corners. I can't get a pump in the corners with the equipment in the sump. I can stick a hose in the corner though.

 

How do you run a siphon if you can't put the bucket lower than the tank?

 

I'm debating between the bucket lid and the small model. Lowes puts them on sale from time to time. I'll probably just get one next time they go on sale.

[wogga]

a small powerhead with hose on the intake works just fine. That'll be $5 please. Saved you from buying a shop vac.

 

 

It would work just fine, but I don't want to pull the skimmer out and I want to get in all the corners. I can't get a pump in the corners with the equipment in the sump. I can stick a hose in the corner though.

 

How do you run a siphon if you can't put the bucket lower than the tank?

 

I'm debating between the bucket lid and the small model. Lowes puts them on sale from time to time. I'll probably just get one next time they go on sale.

 

+1 to zygote2k

 

hypertech,

you don't insert the pump into the sump. you match a piece of vinyl tubing (i.e. the tube connected to your siphon) to the diameter of the intake port on a small powerhead. put the powerhead into the empty bucket. put the hose in the sump and use it just as you would use your siphon. the pump is just there to create the artificial siphon, filling your empty bucket. this is a very simple and effective way to siphon against gravity.