Crud In Sump

[tomstanks]

I have a a sump that has particulate in it. When water is poured into it to top off the 265 gallon tank it causes the water to cloud up. What is the best way to get this stuff out of the sump. I suppose I could siphon the water out and clean it but surely there is another way. Those little gravel vac that have a bag and batteries do not do the trick. Ideas?

 

[Loopee]

hmmm nope

 

[joecoral]

what do you mean by has particulate in it? is it the water in the sump or the main tank that clouds? a slightly little more detailed explanation would probably help people to help you

 

[Daveyg1969]

There is a product by interpet called sludge control or summat thereabouts.
Is the sludge affecting the flow of the filter or not? If not I wouldn't worry too much about it, as it could be a beneficial bacteria buildup.
If it has an earthy smell to it, 10 to 1 it's just beneficial bacteria.

 

[SJ2K]

Very little beneficial bacteria is free swimming so id be surprised if it was.

 

[tomstanks]

Ok, here is the deal.


The sump where the return flow pump is has particulate in it. When you add water to top the tank off it gets stirred up and as the return flow runs water back into the tank it clouds it up to milk-like level. The tank is in a restaurant and the ower does not want this as it take a good while for it to clear again. The particulate resettles in the sump. I was wondering if there was a way to get the stuff out.


Does this make more sense now? Thanks!

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

If it was possible to drain the sump - drill through the bottom and affix a drain cock to it, every once in a while the cock could be opened, let the crap drain off and then closed when it was empty.

Thats only my thought but it depends on the placement of the sump i am afraid.

Apart from that siphon away.

Chris

 

[joecoral]

can you not just siphon it out? filter floss might help to catch up any fine particles in the water too

 

[andywg]

I had this. You need better mechanical filtration in the sump to prevent the sludge from forming (or at least delay it). I find once every 18-24 months I pretty much have to empty the sump out and syphon out the sludge water followed by some kitchen roll to get even more out.

 

[Divetime]

Tom - On my 55 gal reef I added a filter sock at the end of the external overflow before entering the sump. The sock has to be cleaned at least once a week but it clearly cuts down on the debris. I actually have 2 socks, I remove one and replace it with the clean one so there's little down time swapping the socks out. As far as cleaning out the existing debris. I have taken a few pieces of PVC and made an attachment for my wet/dry shop vac. It will definitely clean everything out of there in a hurry I found that it works well at picking up larger items that a python or regular gravity tube would not.

Another option is to add an automatic top off tank with a float valve or regulator so that your not creating such a disturbance when you add top off water.

Good Luck

 

[tomstanks]

. As far as cleaning out the existing debris. I have taken a few pieces of PVC and made an attachment for my wet/dry shop vac. It will definitely clean everything out of there in a hurry I found that it works well at picking up larger items that a python or regular gravity tube would not.

Would you mind detailing the wet/dry PVC vac set-up you have come up with? This sounds like it just might do the trick.