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#1
03-27-2012, 05:58 PM
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Who uses a Wet/Dry Shop Vac on their Reef?
Just wondering who out there uses a wet/dry shop vac to clean out their sump? I seen people mention this, but want to know how effective they are. Can they overflow and make a mess, or do they switch off when full of water?
Thinking of getting one to easily clean the bottom of my sump, as trying to create a syphon with a gravel cleaner doesn't work well due to lack of height. Thanks for any input.
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 Setup: 180G DT, 105G Refuge (approx. 300lbs LR, 150lbs Aragonite) Hardware: Super Reef Octopus SSS-3000, Tunze ATO, Mag 18 return, 2x MP40W, 2X Koralia 4's Wavemaker Lighting: 5ft Hamilton Belize Sun (2x250W MH, 2X80W T5HO) Type of Aquarium: mixed reef (SPS & LPS) with fish Dosing: Mg, Ca, Alk 
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#2
03-27-2012, 06:07 PM
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I have been for a while now, first I remove as much water as possible via other means, then out comes the vac and crevice tool. My vac has a big float/ball valve that closes when it gets full (shopvac brand)...very effective and easy to do during a WC, IMHO
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Glass box with stoney stuff and fisches...
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#4
03-27-2012, 07:32 PM
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I'll probably use my shop vac for tank stuff when I finish using it for all the construction (kind of a pain to switch between wet and drywall bags). Mine has a hose attachment so you can actually pump the water directly to a drain as appose to just filling it up.
All shop vacs should have a shut off, they won't typically turn off but when full a float of some sort will cut off the suction.
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#5
03-27-2012, 08:16 PM
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I do, mine has a ball that when its full it shuts off the suction.
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Feed the bear goodies, make a new friend, don't feed the bear............... 8' - 165gal Reef DIY LED's Build 2012 Nano Contest Winner Febuary 2013 POTM Winner 300 gal + 60 gal Complete DIY Build
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#7
03-27-2012, 08:32 PM
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The thought makes me nervous as salt water is very conductive, little bit of mist in the vac and whammo you have an afro. Freshwater is not very conductive so I would do it then. I would first make an extension cord with a GFCI and plug the vac into it.
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www.oceanfreshaquarium.com/foz-down.html - Foz Down - an easy way to eliminate algae outbreaks caused by Phosphate and bring back the fun of reef keeping.
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#8
03-27-2012, 08:42 PM
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I use an old salt bucket, I cut 3 holes in the lid, 1 for the shop vac hose, 1 for a 3/4" hose I use for vacuuming and a 1" hole to let some air in so the bucket doesn't collapse and it slows down the suction so I don't suck the water out too quickly which gives me more time to get the gunk. Saves getting the smelly gunk into the shop vac.
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Crap happens, that's why they sell toilet paper in 48 roll packs!
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#9
03-27-2012, 08:51 PM
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Quote:
 Although I think I'd skip the third hole, seems to me unlikely a shop vac could collapse a standard pail but perhaps a valve for some adjustment would be wise... hmmm Last edited by sphelps; 03-27-2012 at 08:53 PM.
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#10
03-27-2012, 09:09 PM
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If using a shop vac rinse out the bucket and let it dry after use. I had a bout of small leaks and let the cruddy salt water sit for a while before I emptied it out. A few Weeks later I go to use the vac and the motor would not fire. Assuming corriosion from the salt. I was going to hack it apart to look at but after getting a replacement on sale cheap it got turfed. It was fairly new and should not have burnt out yet I have punnished shop vacs pretty hard at work.
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