Sump Maintenance Strategy

I recently thought of a way to clean my sump, thoroughly with a minimum of work. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some people doing this, or something similar.

Attached to my sump is an inline pump, into which a 4-port manifold screws. One line is the DT return, one is the chiller, one goes to the phosphate reactor, and one is a spare, capped with a threaded plug.

Eventually I'll plan a shut down, and run from the spare, a line of flexible tubing with a T-valve at the end. It will be cut to length so the T-Valve can be strapped to the horizontal 2x4 upon which my tank rests, with the "out" threads of the valve facing forward.

I'll have another length of flex tubing with a male adapter, that I'll use only during maintenance. With teflon tape, I'll screw it into the T-valve. It will be long enough to come off the valve and sit deep enough in a 5 gallon bucket, or 15G tote to insure it won't whip itself out from the force of the water.

To clean the sump, flow to the DT, chiller and reactor, will be closed off, diverting sump water to new flex tubing. While the water flows, I'll scrub my sump with a soft sponge, and hopefully all the debris will go to the waste container.

Lastly, I'll have to use an old U-Tube from my external overflow days, to hang over the DT's internal overflow. This will to continue removing water from the DT when the level goes under the tank's overflow.

I'll use this line for water changes too. No more standing at the tank holding a flex-tube and filling a 15G Rubbermaid tote.

Just thought I'd share. It seems like a viable scenario, and I'll report back with pics once it's done.

 

cool! thats a good Idea, I've always had problems cleaning detrius out of my sump. I never T'd off my return though so I never could do something like this. will tag along for the pics though 8)

 

nice idea.. just made my sump for my aquarium some i might give it a try..

 

I think I am a bit more lazy here

I have a vortek in the sump on a timer – kicks on at night for 15 minutes or so on pulse, keeps the sump clean and feeds the corals…..No maintenance required

 

Nice idea. I just turn off my return and skimmer pumps and then use my wet dry vac to suck the water out after giving it a good stir. Then I add back my water change water. It takes me like 5 minutes literally.

 

I like the concept, but I need to better understand this. Maybe some pictures? I forgot the phos reactor would need a pump.(I don't know why I thought it wouldn't.) Are there 3-port manifolds or should I just get a 4 and have 2 spares, planning for changes in the future? I want to run 2 reactors (1 phos, 1 calcium), and the return to DT. It will be an in-sump return pump & can pump at 635gph, but I have 5 ft head(How many gallons would I be pumping at this rate?) It is an Eheim 1260 for a 55g reef.