white sponges populating my sump

jimeluiz · 11-22-2003, 01:00 PM

I am toying with the idea - when I get the energy - of cleaning out my sump. It collects very fine grit in the chamber beyond the baffles which gets blown into the tank via the returns if I ever have to turn off the pump then restart it. I cleaned it out about 6 weeks ago.

Today when I stuck my head in there to contemplate the magnatude of the task I noticed LOTS of little white sponges all over the place: on the plexi, on the skimmer, on the end of the thermometers. Could be nearly 50 of them, about the size of a pencil eraser, or smaller.

Gosh - it would kill me to kill them while cleaning up the joint.

Is this just the cost of doing business? I am assuming the sponges are a good thing - further filtration, sign of good water quality, etc.

Am I just putzing around too much? Should I just let the grit accumulate?

Any thoughts?

mojoreef · 11-22-2003, 01:10 PM

jimeluiz can you not just suck out the detritus using a syphon or some kind of canister filter???? that way you dont hurt anything and just remove the stuff.

Mike

essmaker · 11-22-2003, 01:13 PM

I have the same thing. Mine look kinda like big pieces of rice. I also have other things that are white cotton ball looking things. Then there are the white spider web looking things also.

I can't get over how we spend a lot money for the corals and animals we put in our tanks and then end up with dozens of small wonderful freebee's.

My wife and I can spend countless amounts of time finding the odd little creatures in the tank and sump.

I hadn't ever thought of cleaning out the sump. I figure what's in there is probably helping to filter the water and helps stablaize the tank in general.

mwrager · 11-22-2003, 01:14 PM

Put a clean up crew in. That is how I do it.

jimeluiz · 11-22-2003, 01:22 PM

DUH!! Thanks for the great idea mwrager! Oh what a joy to not have to clean it out (as frequently.)

mojo- all I have at this point is a syphon vacuum I use in the tank during water changes. I cannot get the syphon to click in off the bottom of the sump. Say more about the canister filter idea. How would that work?

Thanks folks

Cosmic · 11-22-2003, 01:25 PM

I agree with mojoreef. I siphon my bare-bottom sump chamber once a month to remove any built-up organics and mulm that gather there. What you are seeing is the debris settling out of the water column, much like it does in your tank. Biggest difference here is you don't have a substrate to hide the waste

By siphoning it carefully, you shouldn't hurt any of the existing (scypha) sponges you have. Talking from experience here.

-HTH-
Cos

mojoreef · 11-22-2003, 01:29 PM

Jimeluis thats the way I syphon my tank and so on when time arises, I use a magnum canister filter and just suck out the crud and allow the clean water to return to the sump.

Mike

jimeluiz · 11-22-2003, 01:30 PM

It does help, Cosmic. But I'm still stumped on what gizmo will work to draw out the water/crap. The bottom of the sump is about three inches from the floor. I've had no luck getting a syphon going at that height. Am I just a lousy syphoner?

mojoreef · 11-22-2003, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Biggest difference here is you don't have a substrate to hide the waste

LOL man it just seems to easy doesnt it...

jimeluiz · 11-22-2003, 01:36 PM

Thanks mojoreef - I'll check into it

One more toy/tool to add to my growing collection...

wooddood · 11-23-2003, 07:06 AM

thanks for the info all,im learning more and more.

Craig Manoukian · 11-23-2003, 07:46 AM

Cosmic,

Your sump is bare bottom, but what about your refugium? Thanks!

Cosmic · 11-23-2003, 08:21 AM

Quote:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biggest difference here is you don't have a substrate to hide the waste
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOL man it just seems to easy doesnt it...

Someone's just trying to stir up a can 'o worms I think

Quote:

Cosmic,

Your sump is bare bottom, but what about your refugium? Thanks!

True, while my sump chamber is bare bottom, my refugium is closing in on umm... 9" of DSB

Take THAT Poo!!!
ROFL

The siphoning part is a bit tricky down that low Jimeluiz, but not impossible. Mine is at about the same height. I just make sure I use an empty bucket to drain to. The magnum350 mojo refers to is a mechanical canister filter that will suck the junk for you without need of a siphon hose. Check them out, very worthwhile as a detrital remover during water changes if nothing else.

-HTH-
Cos

mojoreef · 11-23-2003, 01:13 PM

Quote:

True, while my sump chamber is bare bottom, my refugium is closing in on umm... 9" of DSB Take THAT Poo!!!
ROFL

ROFL thats not a refugium its an ant farm with water

Mike

Witfull · 11-23-2003, 04:51 PM

i use a vortex diatom filter to suck out my sump and to put a polish on the water. and they are cheaper than magnums,,,,lol

11-22-2003, 01:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	white sponges populating my sump I am toying with the idea - when I get the energy - of cleaning out my sump. It collects very fine grit in the chamber beyond the baffles which gets blown into the tank via the returns if I ever have to turn off the pump then restart it. I cleaned it out about 6 weeks ago. Today when I stuck my head in there to contemplate the magnatude of the task I noticed LOTS of little white sponges all over the place: on the plexi, on the skimmer, on the end of the thermometers. Could be nearly 50 of them, about the size of a pencil eraser, or smaller. Gosh - it would kill me to kill them while cleaning up the joint. Is this just the cost of doing business? I am assuming the sponges are a good thing - further filtration, sign of good water quality, etc. Am I just putzing around too much? Should I just let the grit accumulate? Any thoughts? __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

11-22-2003, 01:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	jimeluiz can you not just suck out the detritus using a syphon or some kind of canister filter???? that way you dont hurt anything and just remove the stuff. Mike __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

11-22-2003, 01:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
essmaker Midas Blenny Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 110 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have the same thing. Mine look kinda like big pieces of rice. I also have other things that are white cotton ball looking things. Then there are the white spider web looking things also. I can't get over how we spend a lot money for the corals and animals we put in our tanks and then end up with dozens of small wonderful freebee's. My wife and I can spend countless amounts of time finding the odd little creatures in the tank and sump. I hadn't ever thought of cleaning out the sump. I figure what's in there is probably helping to filter the water and helps stablaize the tank in general. __________________ ~~There was once an empty spot in the living room, and now....

11-22-2003, 01:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Put a clean up crew in. That is how I do it. __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

11-22-2003, 01:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	DUH!! Thanks for the great idea mwrager! Oh what a joy to not have to clean it out (as frequently.) mojo- all I have at this point is a syphon vacuum I use in the tank during water changes. I cannot get the syphon to click in off the bottom of the sump. Say more about the canister filter idea. How would that work? Thanks folks __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

11-22-2003, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cosmic Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 173 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with mojoreef. I siphon my bare-bottom sump chamber once a month to remove any built-up organics and mulm that gather there. What you are seeing is the debris settling out of the water column, much like it does in your tank. Biggest difference here is you don't have a substrate to hide the waste By siphoning it carefully, you shouldn't hurt any of the existing (scypha) sponges you have. Talking from experience here. -HTH- Cos __________________ ReefKeeping FAQ'S

11-22-2003, 01:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	Jimeluis thats the way I syphon my tank and so on when time arises, I use a magnum canister filter and just suck out the crud and allow the clean water to return to the sump. Mike __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

11-22-2003, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	It does help, Cosmic. But I'm still stumped on what gizmo will work to draw out the water/crap. The bottom of the sump is about three inches from the floor. I've had no luck getting a syphon going at that height. Am I just a lousy syphoner? __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

11-22-2003, 01:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks mojoreef - I'll check into it One more toy/tool to add to my growing collection... __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

11-23-2003, 07:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	thanks for the info all,im learning more and more. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

11-23-2003, 07:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 17,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Cosmic, Your sump is bare bottom, but what about your refugium? Thanks! __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

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