LR in sump

[mark]

Wondering what others are doing.

My sump's pump return area is 16x20" that's been filling up over the years as I rearrange or need to make room in the display. Every once and a while I'll siphon it out but always some crud left so today pulled out about 30lbs for a good cleaning. Thinking won't be putting the rock back as nice and open for next time.

[BlueTang<3]

I have about a 40 gallon section in my sump I have crammed with rock for extra filtration, took it out the other day after a year and cleaned but it wasn't that bad for crud in that compartment. But again I have a 1600 GPh pump feeding that compartment to keep stuff from settling

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I rearranged my sump completely a month and a half ago. The center refugium is now crammed with rubble and a few live rock pieces. Major pod factory in there though. Like overrun with pods. Took out two small pieces to add into a new jellyfish tank and saw about 20+ pods run out to explore their new home.

[Spyd]

I use to have 2 compartments crammed, but, I have been pulling out pieces to add to my display in certain spots and my frag tank. Now, there are only a couple larger pieces. I do get crud on the bottom and clean it out once every 4 - 6 months depending on how much is built up.

Running a powerhead in a live rock compartment is all ways a good idea to prevent dietritus build up.

[Taipan]

I had a 90 Gallon sump sectioned off for rubble and live rock. One section had smaller pieces of rock and rubble (not to mention the skeletons of pieces I tried to save.....and failed) in the back that provided ample room for pods, worms (cuc) and macro algae. The front was for my various anemones and served as a 2nd display below the main display.

Every now and then; I would purposely create a "storm" and sift through the rubble and substrate to disturb it. This loosens up any detritus and dead spots my powerheads may have missed.

[paddyob]

I have a cryptic fuge in my sump. Has about 30-40 pounds of rock.

[tytown]

Naa, I keep my sump fairly clean. Throw any bits and excess rock in the FUGE.

[ponokareefer]

I used to have LR in the sump, but it built up with dietritus badly, so I took it out.

[Coralgurl]

Live Rock and coral skeletons in my sump. I've never cleaned the stuff on the bottom, its never gotten that bad with snails, bristleworms etc that find their way there that I've felt like I had to clean it.

[christyf5]

Couple of 2ish pounders and a few chunks of rubble. Sometimes when I can't deal with the bubble algae or mushrooms on it, I put them down in the dark to whither away. Then a few months later I swap them out (or completely forget about them lol). They do tend to collect detritus underneath but I siphon the sump every few months and just move them around to collect the gunk.

[kien]

I used to have lots of live rock crammed in my sump. After my last major sump cleaning I left all the rock out. I much prefer a nice clean sump now with no live rock. Instead, I float dish washing pads in my sump for extra filtration. They are much easier to manage and cleaner.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71CJLu8PPAL._SX466_.jpg

And unlike live rock they also add a nice splash (pun intended) of colour to the sump. :biggrin: