Debris From Sump

[pesto]

I am 8 weeks into my first salt water aquarium. It has been going really well but, I am now getting debris from the sump being pumped back into the tank. This is making the water cloudy. Can anyone offer a remedy? How often should you clean the sump? Should I have a filter sock on the pump? I have an orange spotted goby and first thought he was stirring things up. However, there is far too much stuff floating around.

 

[Behrmon]

Can you describe the layout of your sump? Filter sock would be on the drain.

 

[snowmaker]

I had a tank head South, apparently from detritus build up in sump because after a good vacuuming of sump and display substrate the display is looking much better. Tank was about 1 yr. old at the time and had never been vacuumed out.

 

[Blueflu1]

you could get a sponge to put over the intake of the return pump. Just make sure you clean it regularly or else it will build up detrius and eventually clog and get sucked into the pump.

Other then that, a regular cleaning of the sump

 

[pesto]

What is the process to clean the sump?

 

[jtma508]

I use a Dewalt cordless wet vac. I fashioned a simple adapter that allows me to put some tubing on that is small enough to get down between the baffles and around the skimmer. Works well and is a useful tool to have around the house.

 

[Blueflu1]

you could get a standard gravel vac and just suck up any loose material if you don't wanna get too involved.

 

[pesto]

Wet/Dry vac worked awesome! Went to Lowes and bought attachements for my Shop Vac that made cleaning a breeze. Spent the past two hours cleaning the sump. Much better . . . thanks!

 

[snowmaker]

Great idea re: wet vac. Tough to get a good siphon out of a sump that is practically on the floor.