Cleaning pumps and powerheads questions

[dobejazz]

ready for some silly questions?

This is to clean 2 micro jets and 1 tunze 6010 I think is the model #

Should return pumps be cleaned periodically also? my return pump is a sequence dart.

How often should pumps and power heads be cleaned?


I plan on running them in a 5g bucket with water and vinegar.

will just soaking them be enough or should I run them during the process?

Is tap water ok?

what ratio of water to vinegar ?


How long should they soak/run?


anything obvious I need to know?

[Hop]

Should return pumps be cleaned periodically also? my return pump is a sequence dart.

Yup. I do mine about every 6 months. The dart is easy. Just tear the wetside apart and clean everything with a brush after soaking them for about an hour.

How often should pumps and power heads be cleaned?

I do my powereheads about every 3 months and return/skimmer pumps about every 6 months unless they show indication that they need it sooner.

I plan on running them in a 5g bucket with water and vinegar.

Ok Somethimes I just soak them and clean them with a brush, other times I run them in the solution and then clean them with a brush afterward.

will just soaking them be enough or should I run them during the process?

oops. Already answered this

Is tap water ok?

Yup.

what ratio of water to vinegar ?

I'm supposed to measure... I use the fill the water to here and add the about yea much vinegar.... For dirty stuff, more vinegar... For really dirty stuff, even more vinegar!

How long should they soak/run?

Depends on how dirty they are Sometimes I'll take them out and start cleaning them with a brush and realize they need to go back in. Other times 20 minutes is plenty.

anything obvious I need to know?

Just rinse them in tap and don't freak about any extra vinegar that may get to the tank. It's fine

[dobejazz]

Yeah Thanks Hop !

[Hop]

No problem... Beats writing about financial statements used in accounting

[bleedingthought]

Yeah, the stronger the solution (for example, for tough coralline encrusted pumps I use 1:1 vinegar to water ratio) the less time you need to soak it.

[chrischris]

i run them for about 10 min the a good 15-20min soak the i (if im not being lazy) brush it off with a nylon bristle brush and the a 5 min. run/soak in tap water
oo ya i do this to all my pumps every 4-6 months

[Wiskey]

I like Hop's answers

I tend to like about 25% vinager,.. and I try to clean my pumps (If they fit) in small containers so I don't waste a bunch of vinager

I always run the pumps,.. I figure that way you are moving the vinager water all around the impeller and around the motor shaft.

Whiskey

[Loverotties]

All good tips!

[dobejazz]

Thanks everyone

Pump cleaning went well It's amazing how much the flow was reduced in the tunze

[Debs]

Good thread. I learned something.....again

[Doug1]

I like to soak them for an hr or so then fire up the submersables for an hr or so, visually inspect, brush out as needed, then rinse well