Detritus Settling in Sump

jrf1175 · 08-14-2007, 10:12 PM

Hey All,

I'm breaking the mold tonight....seems like it chronicle mania today (-;

Over the last month I am starting to notice some sort of detritus or particulate matter settling in my sump chambers. It is a light brown color and very easiely disturbed. With out a doubt it coincides with me adding livestock to the system that has been running about 5 months now....Livestock for almost 2.

I am just wondering it is normal? It is settling out in the less turbulent water I would, but what is it and is it common? I have been trying to siphon it out when I do water changes as that is about the only thing I can think of doing.

Thanks for your help.

Techno-Vicki · 08-14-2007, 10:44 PM

It is common. Do you use a sock or filter pads to collect the large particulate matter? My sump is too small on my 125 and I can't get a sock on it so I have excess detrius in the sump. But, that will change soon

AQTCJAK · 08-14-2007, 11:29 PM

Vicki is right hers will change soon after I make her re-design her tank about 10 more times

Melanie · 08-15-2007, 04:31 AM

I have that too. Because I have the trickle filter, I don't really have a place for a sock. It is hard as heck to siphon that stuff out too. I think I read that you can put a filter sock on a power head and use that to vaccuum. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good. Plus you aren't pulling any water out! bonus.

jrf1175 · 08-15-2007, 07:07 AM

Thanks everyone!

I am not using a filter sock now and am not sure how one would work. I could strap it right on my overflow pipe, but there is not a lot of space in my sump and the sock wouldn't be hanging nicely as I have seen in some sumps. I will give it a try in the next week or so.

BigAl07 · 08-15-2007, 07:18 AM

I don't have a sump but I do have a Fuge (HOB style). What I do just when I stir up the sand or have "issues" is use an old fish net that's VERY fine mess. I just made a small adapter to where it fits right over the inlet (and outlet if I disturb the fuge media any) and run it for a few hours. then I remove it and wash it out. Just note that this is not a long term solution as I am about to upgrade the tank and will have it done correctly from the beginning but it's better than NOTHING

Allen

Woodstock · 08-15-2007, 09:31 AM

It is normal. I vacuum out my sump and overflows every chance I get. I do have a filter sock on the water going into my refugium section that does filter the water (and slows down the flow enough to keep the sand from blowing) BUT it is a pain because I have to replace it with a clean sock every 2-3 days. If you start using socks, be prepared to have at least one extra to use while you are washing the dirty one. (wash with chlorox only in yoru washing mashine, then let air dry)

murph · 08-24-2007, 06:43 PM

Two words SHOP-VAC . When my sump is dirty on the bottom I use a small shopvac to clean out the bottom. Also you are taking out water so its good for doing water changes. Also try to use a sock if you can.

sasquatch · 08-24-2007, 07:25 PM

This is Cougra's word Mulm
efinition: Mulm is the undecomposed fish wastes and other solid matter that accumulates in the aquarium as a fine, brownish, fluffy material requiring periodic removal by siphoning.steve

08-14-2007, 10:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
jrf1175 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 296 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Detritus Settling in Sump Hey All, I'm breaking the mold tonight....seems like it chronicle mania today (-; Over the last month I am starting to notice some sort of detritus or particulate matter settling in my sump chambers. It is a light brown color and very easiely disturbed. With out a doubt it coincides with me adding livestock to the system that has been running about 5 months now....Livestock for almost 2. I am just wondering it is normal? It is settling out in the less turbulent water I would, but what is it and is it common? I have been trying to siphon it out when I do water changes as that is about the only thing I can think of doing. Thanks for your help. __________________ 90gal Miracles Starphire, Acrylic Sump with Fuge, Aqua-Medic Aquaspacelight 2x250 HQI, 2x24w PC, Euro-Reef RS100, Wavy Sea with Blueline HD 40x return pump, 1 Turbelle Nanostream 6045, Profilux II Plus controller Check out my 90 gallon build log Here

08-14-2007, 10:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Techno-Vicki Dancing Mandarins Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sanger, CA (on Kings River) Posts: 1,130 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump It is common. Do you use a sock or filter pads to collect the large particulate matter? My sump is too small on my 125 and I can't get a sock on it so I have excess detrius in the sump. But, that will change soon __________________ AKA - "Speedy" Extreme Reef Addition Videos of Mandarins, reef tank, and "His Majesty's" DIY water changer http://www.murrayproductions.org/Ree...RM_videos.html "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford (1863-1947)

08-14-2007, 11:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,136 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump Vicki is right hers will change soon after I make her re-design her tank about 10 more times __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

08-15-2007, 04:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump I have that too. Because I have the trickle filter, I don't really have a place for a sock. It is hard as heck to siphon that stuff out too. I think I read that you can put a filter sock on a power head and use that to vaccuum. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good. Plus you aren't pulling any water out! bonus. __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

08-15-2007, 07:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
jrf1175 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 296 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump Thanks everyone! I am not using a filter sock now and am not sure how one would work. I could strap it right on my overflow pipe, but there is not a lot of space in my sump and the sock wouldn't be hanging nicely as I have seen in some sumps. I will give it a try in the next week or so. __________________ 90gal Miracles Starphire, Acrylic Sump with Fuge, Aqua-Medic Aquaspacelight 2x250 HQI, 2x24w PC, Euro-Reef RS100, Wavy Sea with Blueline HD 40x return pump, 1 Turbelle Nanostream 6045, Profilux II Plus controller Check out my 90 gallon build log Here

08-15-2007, 07:18 AM	#6 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 11,496 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump I don't have a sump but I do have a Fuge (HOB style). What I do just when I stir up the sand or have "issues" is use an old fish net that's VERY fine mess. I just made a small adapter to where it fits right over the inlet (and outlet if I disturb the fuge media any) and run it for a few hours. then I remove it and wash it out. Just note that this is not a long term solution as I am about to upgrade the tank and will have it done correctly from the beginning but it's better than NOTHING Allen __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

08-15-2007, 09:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,264 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump It is normal. I vacuum out my sump and overflows every chance I get. I do have a filter sock on the water going into my refugium section that does filter the water (and slows down the flow enough to keep the sand from blowing) BUT it is a pain because I have to replace it with a clean sock every 2-3 days. If you start using socks, be prepared to have at least one extra to use while you are washing the dirty one. (wash with chlorox only in yoru washing mashine, then let air dry) __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My QT/Hospital Tank* ~120 Reef Chronicle ~ *~Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ 120 mixed reef, dual Reeflux 10k 250 MHs, dual Geiseman Actinic T5s,Neptune AC III, ASM g3, 2x Korallia #3, Mag 9.5 return

08-24-2007, 06:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
murph Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lake in the hills , IL Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump Two words SHOP-VAC . When my sump is dirty on the bottom I use a small shopvac to clean out the bottom. Also you are taking out water so its good for doing water changes. Also try to use a sock if you can.

08-24-2007, 07:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Detritus Settling in Sump This is Cougra's word Mulm efinition: Mulm is the undecomposed fish wastes and other solid matter that accumulates in the aquarium as a fine, brownish, fluffy material requiring periodic removal by siphoning.steve __________________ castawayreefers.com

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