newfisher Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 I have a 90g fish only with a 40g breeder sump/fuge. Filter sock, bubble trap,live rock,skimmer then through washable filter pad into fuge with macro and circulation pump. For that side. I am getting quite a bit of large "debris" in the 1st area. Excess food and detritus settling amonst the live rock and around the skimmer body. Not wanting to vacuum it out, should I put a 1. Damsel in there to break down the larger chuncks so the skimmer can be more effective? 2. Snails and hermits or 3. Starfish? What do you think or use? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClayTheSavageFraser Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Come get some of my critter infested macro, and a sea cucumber would do the trick too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 I think you should vacuum it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Why not vacuum it out when you do your weekly water change? Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 Vacuuming would be a 1/2 project due to space restictions. I would have to empty 30lbs of rubble out piece by piece. Like most, looking for a simpler solution,but everything that eats,poops. Was thinking of getting something to break down the larger pieces into something the skimmer could process easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 I agree. I would just vaccum it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCR Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 post a picture of your sump/skimmer. If skimmer in the sump pulls from it's own pump. You can shut down the tank, stirrup the sump and have the shimmer pull out the crap. Then water change the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Get a small shop-vac, some PVC fittings, a threaded hose-barb and some 1/2" vinyl tubing and make something that looks like this: Then either jam or tape the shop-vac hose to the PVC end. Make the vinyl hose long enough and you can target-vacuum the hell out of your sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 Good idea! I tried it with a mag pump that I use for water changes and got more water than debris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted April 12, 2010 Author Share Posted April 12, 2010 posting pics post a picture of your sump/skimmer. If skimmer in the sump pulls from it's own pump. You can shut down the tank' date=' stirrup the sump and have the shimmer pull out the crap. Then water change the sump.[/quote'] I use my phone for internet , usually not at home, and have yet to get the photbucket picture transfer thing figured out....makes me really appreciate those who have taken the time to post pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Good idea! I tried it with a mag pump that I use for water changes and got more water than debris. Yeah, Mag pumps suck but they don't suck that much (laugh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnewhouse Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 I would suck it out also or stick a small powerhead/return from a filter reactor in the area that gets the build up. I have this problem in certain spots but only clean it when I service the pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Re: Whats your opinion on sump/fuge life? I keep a cc star to clean debris and he does great...oh...I dont run a sock...too much of a pita to clean all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I would remove all that rock to a bucket and plumb it inline, or just ditch the rock so you can vacuum that section of your sump. You have plenty of LR in that tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfisher Posted April 13, 2010 Author Share Posted April 13, 2010 Impur, what do you mean by "plumb it inline"? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Like the rock is all in a bucket, the overflow drains into the bucket, the bucket drains into the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Algae Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I have never been a fan of LR in a sump. The LR acts like a magnet for detritus. Instead of dealing with one area that can collect a lot of debris (main tank) you now have two. And the sump is usually harder to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Yah i've gone thru different sump setups, and having nothing but equipment down there has been the best yet. I've got a skimmer, heater, return pump. Float switches and 2 media reactors hang off the side, 1 small pump to feed the reactors. Basically i can pull everything out of my sump in 3 minutes and then vacuum it with my shopvac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Re: Whats your opinion on sump/fuge life? Yah i've gone thru different sump setups, and having nothing but equipment down there has been the best yet. I've got a skimmer, heater, return pump. Float switches and 2 media reactors hang off the side, 1 small pump to feed the reactors. Basically i can pull everything out of my sump in 3 minutes and then vacuum it with my shopvac. you run a fug too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.