High Tide Aquatics

What do you use to clean your sumps (and pipes)?

Yeah there bull dozers but really never clog unless you barry it in sand any soft corals don’t stand a chance but can always fish them out ..I have larger shop vacs but only use the dedicated bucket one for aquariums..Easy to keep clean plus can toss livestock/ corals in full bucket then switch to a new clean bucket..
Wondering now if a dimmer switch would work on a shopvac ?? Hmm
 
You could try using a dryer vent cleaning kit to clean your pipes if you don't want to disassemble your plumbing. Probably works best with new/clean plumbing and done on a regular basis, don't think it would be strong enough to knock off stuff with a hard shell like feather dusters, etc.
 
derek_SR said:
I would not plan to return any water you shopvac out unless your shopvac is brand new. You don’t know what junk has collected inside the tube even if you’ve done a good job cleaning the collector.

It works great though- very fast and powerful. I would never use it in the DT though, but it’ll suck out the entire contents of your sump in less than 30 seconds.
Click to expand...
It would only be a one time thing for me to help break down that large tank. Just looking for easier options to remove sand, verse a cup or something taking me forever. Having the right tools makes John so much easier than trying to make what you have available work somehow.
 
I second the Home Depot shopvac bucket head. Fits right on top of their 5 gallon bucket. Cheap and efficient and I only use it a few times a year. It also has an internal float valve or something because it automatically shuts off after the 4.5 gallon (ish) mark.

www.homedepot.com

Bucket Head 5 Gallon 1.75 Peak HP Wet Dry Vacuum Powerhead Shop Vac with Filter Bag and Hose (compatible with 5 Gal. Homer Bucket) BH0100 - The Home Depot

Clean up both wet and dry spillages by using this excellent Wet and Dry Vacuum offered by Bucket Head. Features blower port for added versatility.
www.homedepot.com
 
eksblenny said:
I second the Home Depot shopvac bucket head. Fits right on top of their 5 gallon bucket. Cheap and efficient and I only use it a few times a year. It also has an internal float valve or something because it automatically shuts off after the 4.5 gallon (ish) mark.

www.homedepot.com

Bucket Head 5 Gallon 1.75 Peak HP Wet Dry Vacuum Powerhead Shop Vac with Filter Bag and Hose (compatible with 5 Gal. Homer Bucket) BH0100 - The Home Depot

Clean up both wet and dry spillages by using this excellent Wet and Dry Vacuum offered by Bucket Head. Features blower port for added versatility.
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
Shoot I might consider getting one of these if it works with sand removal. I already have a few home depot buckets if I grab a few more i could use same buckets to haul out the sand. And once full just swap this thing to another bucket. Very having to dump my current vac into the buckets anyway.
 
JVU said:
I’ve tried all of the above and never really been satisfied. Which is why I don’t clean it very often.

Shop vac goes too fast. Doesn’t give critters I want time to move away. And fills up super fast, a few seconds.

Regular passive siphon tube doesn’t have much suction since the difference in water level isn’t much and decreases quickly. I’m thinking of doing it with the outflow water going through filter socks, and a small pump returning the water to the sump so I can keep going.

I’ve tried a couple different versions of suction bulbs and the 1-way valves required for them to work just clog open too quickly when you’re siphoning crap. So you have to stop and clean it frequently.

Similarly I’ve tried small pumps like maxi jet to suck out but the impeller fouls quickly so you have to stop and clean it multiple times.
Click to expand...
This has been my exact experience also lol.


Once every 1-2 years I take the sump outside and soak in citric acid, including plumbing to get rid of worms and growth. It’s an all day affair but satisfying when clean. Every 6 months I drain the sump after scrubbing with a magic eraser pad and try to get as much stuff out. I also run filter socks which helps tremendously on keeping the sump clean.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JVU
@SupraSaltyReefer's pro tip. Get a 7 gallon bucket for the bucket head so you'll be emptying it less often.

I have this kit when I'm sucking out mulm from the sump. The flexible hose and rigid tip lets me get in tight places. It will get clogged on chunky bits like coraline and algae globs though. It has an adjustment ring on the base that allows air to get sucked into the side and therefore less vacuum strength from the nozzle. I imagine you can do something similar for the standard 1-1/4 vac hose. Maybe even hole on the side of the bucket with a valve to control the vacuum strength.

71hHUdFTmWL._AC_SL1280_.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top