How do you siphon the sump?

[eww]

I'm just curious how you guys do this. We have a bare bottom sump and I'm shocked at how much ditritus has collected on the bottom in a couple months. My question is since the sump is basically sitting at floor level inside the stand how do you get a siphon going with no vertical gravity pull to suck out all the gunk? Maybe there is a simple answer but I'm sure scratching my head trying to figure it out.

 

[Faciosity]

I'm in the same boat. My tank sits on the floor, and I havn't really figured out a good method.

 

[Krish]

I use to use a H.O.T magnum canister filter with the hose attachment to convert it into a sort of shop vac and go to town with it. They come designed to work like that with a polishing cartridge. Other than that, you will probably have hell trying to start a siphon that low.

 

[TheKraken]

Take that small submersible pump you started with and put a 90* over the intake so there is just a small gap. Turn on, stir the gunk, watch everything go away.

Edit: You can also use the method above + filter sock to trap the funk and recycle the water.

 

[Krish]

Never tried it, but it might work, but what about those primer bulbs that you use for starting the gas siphon on boats?? Maybe put one of those inline of your hose and see if that get's it going?? These things... Google Image Result for http://www.wholesalemarine.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/MOE-034790-10_med.jpg

 

[Faciosity]

I have an extra canister filter, so I think I will try hooking it up to the sump and killing my return pump for a while. Then I can just stir it up and cycle it out with the canister. Good call!

 

[NC2WA]

Eric,

I use a wet/dry vacuum and works like a charm. Just make sure you turn off your heaters if they are in the sump.

 

[Krish]

I have an extra canister filter, so I think I will try hooking it up to the sump and killing my return pump for a while. Then I can just stir it up and cycle it out with the canister. Good call!

Yea, that's how the H.O.T magnum canister worked. The intake pipe has a replacement part that turns it into a barb fitting that you put a hose on then you just hang it on the sump (or tank) and turn it on and start vaccuming. It recycles the water while catching the detritus in its polishing cartridge.

Here is a picture of what I sucked out of my sump at one cleaning using just a hose that I was able to get the siphon going on. It was hard, but I did get it going. You risk the chance of swallowing water which is why I switched to using the H.O.T Magnum.

 

[eww]

Eric,

I use a wet/dry vacuum and works like a charm. Just make sure you turn off your heaters if they are in the sump.

Wow Kirk... As in a shop vac type unit? That seems like it would go really quick.

 

[eww]

Take that small submersible pump you started with and put a 90* over the intake so there is just a small gap. Turn on, stir the gunk, watch everything go away.

Edit: You can also use the method above + filter sock to trap the funk and recycle the water.

This sounds like a good idea too. I think I might have all these parts laying around as well and I like the idea of filtering through a sock and recycling the water. I might give this a shot first.

 

[NC2WA]

Eric,

Yes. I am able to siphon out my sump in 5-10 mins.

 

[DonW]

The longer the hose the better. Your house sits higher than your neighbors yard or the street. I would just use the garden hose run out the front door the the neighbors lawn

Don

 

[mfinn]

I use a python water change system.
Works great.

 

[FreakinReefin]

I use a genX 40 external pump with hose for intake sucking it up and a hose going back into another compartment through a filter sock. Recycling the water and I can let it sit for a while and not have to monitor it, just let the filter sock take it all...super simple.