Detritus in sump

[leon1972]

My nitrates are consistently at 20 and I have a feeling it's due to the detritus that continually collects in my sump. I do my water changes out of my sump but it doesn't seem to grab the detritus. Any suggestions guys?

 

[Bifferwine]

Use a cheap powerhead like a MaxiJet, attach some tubing to it, and suck the muck out when you do your water changes.

 

[Smitty]

Whenever I'm about to do a water change, I take a turkey baster and blow the crap around before I start the siphon.

 

[sen5241b]

I use a good old aquarium vacuum on my sump and fuge to clean the detritus out.
But I would guess that is not the sole source of your nitrates. To get 'trates to zero you need to do a lot of things like:

1. Have Good flow
2. setup Fuge with macro-algae
3. Regular water changes
4. Don't overstock
5. Use RO or distilled water for change outs and topoff
6. Aquascape rock so detritus cannot get trapped in a corner or hole
7. Do not over feed
8. etc.

 

[leon1972]

I already do all that except the aqua scraping part but I never see food get stuck it always flows around and through the aqua scraping I'm thinking of getting one of those bio pellet reactors to help out.

I use a good old aquarium vacuum on my sump and fuge to clean the detritus out.
But I would guess that is not the sole source of your nitrates. To get 'trates to zero you need to do a lot of things like:

1. Have Good flow
2. setup Fuge with macro-algae
3. Regular water changes
4. Don't overstock
5. Use RO or distilled water for change outs and topoff
6. Aquascape rock so detritus cannot get trapped in a corner or hole
7. Do not over feed
8. etc.

 

[leon1972]

Would that. E the same kind they have at petco? I've seen em there but I didn't want to spend the money for something that may have just been a gimmick.
EHEIM Quick-Vac Pro at PETCO

Whenever I'm about to do a water change, I take a turkey baster and blow the crap around before I start the siphon.

 

[Smitty]

I think that's a waste bro...I use a regular baster from the dollar store.

 

[leon1972]

Oops. Wrong post quoted!!!! Hahaha

 

[FishyReef]

I just use some 1/4" airline tubing, start a siphon, and suction it out.

 

[leon1972]

I can't get a siphon started in mine. I've tried several times.

I just use some 1/4" airline tubing, start a siphon, and suction it out.

 

[Bifferwine]

All you've gotta do is suck on the end of the tube while the other end is submerged. :D

 

[leon1972]

I know. But the sump is on the ground. It's too low to keep it going

 

[Reefrookie]

I know. But the sump is on the ground. It's too low to keep it going

That's why you need a small power head to help you out!

 

[leon1972]

Is there a reason you said to use 1/4 inch versus say 2 inch? I ask cuz I'm considering just getting a ball switch fitting for my sumps pump. Then I can just use the same pump for my return hose and my siphon!!!! I shut down my sump when I do water changes already cuz it's where I do my water changes so instead of shutting down I just switch hose is being used.

 

[FishyReef]

I find I can keep the siphon going with the 1/4" tubing - its slow, but it works. I also use a bucket that is shorter than my sump (I think its a 2g bucket) to siphon into, and think that might help.