For those who use pythons...need some suggestions

[Wharf]

So I have a a all in one sump. One of those clear for life 180 acrylics with a 4inch backing with sump. So from time to time...I need to clean the overflow chamber of the sump to remove extra detritus/sand so it does not accumulate in the bio-chamber (found I need to do this quite more often). So I live in a bottom floor apartment so I am limited using an outside hose or drain. I have to use my sink.

My question is have any of you what do you guys use to catch the debris from the tank before it goes down the sink. I usually use nothing and I am just really careful with my fine sand substrate; however, when removing garbage from the sump I need to use something to catch the bigger solid detritus. I have been using a huge filter sock....but it clogs in under 60 seconds stalling and overflows...stalling the maintenance.

Has anyone found something that catches the detritus/sand without clogging so easy when using a python?

 

[esoxlucius]

A better pre filter on your overflow is the way to go. This will prevent crud from getting into your bio chamber in the first place.

I'm curious. If it's an overflow system, at the surface, how does sand find it's way, being heavy, from the bottom of your tank to the surface. You must have some crazy turnover or powerhead activity going on if sand is being stirred up that much.

 

[jjohnwm]

I have my tanks drilled up near the waterline for overflows, but all the overflows are equipped with elbows and downtubes that draw water from near the bottom. I use nothing smaller than a 3-inch pipe for the downtube, so it would take some pretty insane flow rates to stir sand all the way to the top of the tube.

But I also put a prefilter around the bottom of the tube to catch the larger particles of waste, particularly plant matter, that otherwise gets sucked up and into the overflow. There is also a finer mechanical filtration sponge above the biomedia to further ensure that only clear water enters the media, to prevent clogging.

Regarding the capture of debris before it enters your sink...can you not simply place a bucket on the floor of your shower, then drop the end of the outflow hose into that, preferably into a fish net laid across the top? Larger debris will catch in the net...sand, if it somehow manages to get that far, will simply sink to the bottom of the bucket...and the siphon action will continue throughout, since this is almost at floor level. Anything small and light enough to escape down the drain will be of no consequence.

 

[Wharf]

A better pre filter on your overflow is the way to go. This will prevent crud from getting into your bio chamber in the first place.

I'm curious. If it's an overflow system, at the surface, how does sand find it's way, being heavy, from the bottom of your tank to the surface. You must have some crazy turnover or powerhead activity going on if sand is being stirred up that much.

Well, I have a Midas that excavates into air stones that I use to help pick up debris. The air stones act as a lift in front of the overflows that greatly helps suspended particles in the column. Before, I was using the air stones on the sides of the tank, I had a lot of suspended particles stayed in the column d/t having top overflows. Unfortunately, I have fine Oolitic sand right now lol...so my Midas loves making clouds in the air stones. He's happy, but it makes me miserable. That's why when I do clean out the sump I have been using a large filter sock under the faucet valve to catch some sand before it goes down the drain. It isn't a lot of substrate, but enough I don't want to send down my drains each time. Next, time I set up the tank I am going bare bottom or using round pebble/gravel lol.

 

[deeda]

What about using a large colander lined with polyester batting as it should fit under the Python pump?

The other choice would be to just use some vinyl hose attached to a long enough length of PVC pipe and manually siphon out the overflow into a 5G pail if you only do this infrequently.