Refug Nightmare

[Markster]

I have a 30 gal sump with refug on my 75 gal reef. Have had macroalgae growing for over two years in one of the compartments. Last evening, I noticed a large gap in between the algae and when to 'message' it. There was a nasty brown colored sludge just below the top surface and now algae to speak of. Needless to say, the entire tank and sump was consumed with this crap and not it has settled over everything. I have down two water changes but the problem remaining vacuuming the live rock and corals of the settled mess. Any one use a vacuum gravel cleaner that allows water exchange without really changing the water? or any other ideas how to vacuum the rocks and corals?

[txstateunivreefer]

vaccume into a bucket then use a prefiltered pump to pump it back into the tank now when cleanining everything off use a turkey baster or pwr head within close proximity of the hose intake

[Mr_Cool]

Borrow a canister filter and use the intake to suck out the sludge. Then, have the return go back up to the tank. The sludge will get caught in the filter and the filter will return clean water back to the tank without a water change. ;)

[txstateunivreefer]

oh thats a much better idea haha i guess i tried to make something more complicated than it needed to be... except it may clog the filter very quicly

[Richard]

I just siphon from the tank to a filtersock in the sump.

[Markster]

Richard,

The filtersock worked like a charm. Did a fine job and vacuumed the sump with a wet vac. So far so good! Thanks again. Go CB Pets Go!