going filtersock-less!

i have been using a filter sock from the get go. my overflow drain and skimmer discharge flows into it. i mainly like the socks for the mechanical filtration they provide....and bubble trapping. i want to see how my tank does without it. i know it traps alot of beneficial organisms and whatnot. my concern is....i like to blow off my rocks in my tank and other normal maintanance which puts debris in the water. the sock would just catch it all and i would wash it. without the sock all the debris will settle in my sump. people say just siphon clean the sump once in a while. well how do you go about siphoning the sump when it is on the floor, and the bucket for the dirty water is on the floor. the sump would have to be up higher in order for this to work.wouldnt this be impossible?

 

Use a return pump with a hose on the inlet to vacuum and one on the outlet to go into the bucket.

 

well i tried this already with a maxi jet 1200. it wouldnt work unless the pump to was under water. and the hosing was anything but flexible enough to vacuum. so that is out. the only spare pump i have is one that powers coralife super skimmer 65's. i dont know

 

i dont use a filter sock and i dont have a big problem with debris on the sump floor. I have siphoned it out before though. You can still siphon water out of your sump into your bucket untill the water level in your bucket reaches the water level of the sump. So depending on how big your sump is you might be able to siphon out 2-3 gallon before the siphon breaks. Which should give you enough time to clean up the sump floor