Do I need to vacuum out detritus from my sump?

[MysticBlue]

Should I vacuum out the detritus in my sump? I was always told to not vacuum it out because it provides a home for your copopods. Well I have about an inch of it in my sump and one little disturbance makes a huge cloud that gets in my display.

 

[SilvermistInc]

Need to? No. Should you? Yeah, probably.

 

[homer1475]

I clean mine out about once a year. Empty the sump, take out equipment, take out sump, and give it a good rinse/cleaning.

 

[mfinn]

I clean the detritus out at every water change. Pods have plenty of other places to hide/breed/live.

 

[Dburr1014]

Should I vacuum out the detritus in my sump? I was always told to not vacuum it out because it provides a home for your copopods. Well I have about an inch of it in my sump and one little disturbance makes a huge cloud that gets in my display.

I may be weird, but sometimes I stir it up on purpose. Skimmer will take some out and I figure my coral will take some up.
But, I don't let it get to an inch of depth. I would probably suck that up.

 

[attica38]

I have always wondered if I should do this also. I stir mine up some in hopes that the skimmer takes some but I might now reading some of these comments clean it up.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I vacuum it out and have live rock in the 1st chamber so pods have home

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I also have a small pump in skimmer chamber that keeps detritus from building up

 

[billwill]

Detritus build up will eventually cause nitrate and phosphate build up that will require tackling with other methods in my experience.

 

[G Santana]

The way I currently clean it (every 6 months) I have an old power head, i attach a hose to the outlet and the intake sucks up the detritus and the hose I have it in a filter sock.
Works well and fast.

 

[atoll]

Never bother never a problem. Detritus breaks down and becomes inert within a short period.
Have a read of this and link in it.
Thread 'Detritus .... Inert?' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/detritus-inert.351828/

 

[MysticBlue]

So I what I’m gathering is clean it out put some lr in there and keep cleaning it out or clean it out ever so often?

 

[Schweezy]

Anecdotally, yes, clean it as often as you’d do a water change. I notice when I do it that my main display inhabitants appear to be happier and I get lease algae on my glass. Also, go review the detail that WWC puts into cleaning their sumps and the reasoning behind it. Pair that with their results and you’ll be doing it in no time.

 

[homer1475]

Pretty much. If it's unsightly, and causing issues like you said, clean it out. if it doesn't bother you, leave it be.

 

[FSP]

I wouldn't keep live rock in the sump if detritus is of great concern to you. I'm with atoll in the harmless camp, but I don't like rock in my sump either.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

I wouldn't keep live rock in the sump if detritus is of great concern to you. I'm with atoll in the harmless camp, but I don't like rock in my sump either.

my sump is full of live rock and I’m always looking for more on FB lolol

 

[BamaCoastPyrat]

Anecdotally, yes, clean it as often as you’d do a water change. I notice when I do it that my main display inhabitants appear to be happier and I get lease algae on my glass. Also, go review the detail that WWC puts into cleaning their sumps and the reasoning behind it. Pair that with their results and you’ll be doing it in no time.

Do you have a link to this? A quick Google search failed me.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

So the timing is pretty awesome. I finally decided to clean the sump. It was absolutely disgusting. It caused me to realize i need tomredo the sump altogether.

i have a much more accessible,easier to clean set up. 50 gallon insteqd of 29, so i am very happy with the change.

if rocks in your sump, that is fine , but dont put them in an inaccessible area because it definitely will require maintenance. Ended up being the same as a dirty canister filter, clogged and requiring a deep clean.

 

[D3DPrintedThingz]

Do you have a link to this? A quick Google search failed me.

Also would be very interested in checking out this qarticle

 

[RGoltz]

I like to keep my sump clean because it keeps my skimmer clean and then my skimmer works better.