Cleaning apparatus and method

A portable cleaning device for removing sediment from an enclosure retaining water, the device comprising:

• a pump creating a fluid flow to draw water from the enclosure along a flow path through the cleaning device;
• a housing having an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a threaded portion that are fixed with respect to one another, the inlet passage receiving the fluid flow from the enclosure, the outlet passage being connected to the pump;
• a receptacle removably connected to the threaded portion of the housing, the receptacle being in fluid communication with both the inlet passage and the outlet passage, the inlet passage emptying fluid flow into the receptacle, and the outlet passage for receiving fluid flow out of the receptacle, the flow path being at least partially defined by the inlet passage, the receptacle and the outlet passage;
• a filter connected to the outlet passage and preventing relatively large particles in the water from entering the outlet passage;
• and
• a tube threadably connected to the inlet passage and extending outwardly beyond the receptacle, the tube being in fluid communication with the inlet passage.