Cleaning Powerheads

reice05 · 11/01/2009, 01:16 PM

How often should I be cleaning them? They're starting to get ugly with the algea.

sage_commander · 11/01/2009, 01:24 PM

Time to clean them. When you don't like the looks of them, they're too nasty. If you wait until their flow is compromised, you've waited way too long.

I let mine sit in a container of vinegar for 15-20 minutes then rinse them real good while scrubbing them. Then I strain the vinegar back into the bottle (I'm cheap that way).

skip2142 · 11/01/2009, 02:53 PM

Do you just use straight vinegar or a ratio of vinegar-water?

sage_commander · 11/01/2009, 04:28 PM

I use straight vinegar. I imagine I could water it down, but I'm trying to be fast, and it cuts through the algae (even coraline) in short order.

wab · 11/01/2009, 04:33 PM

+1 Vinegar, and when your done putting that on a czar salad, there is no need for anchovies. mm mm mm

Beefer · 11/01/2009, 05:00 PM

I just run them in a about a 3:1 water:vinegar ratio for a day, the scrub em good. I have (4) in the display tank and just do one at a time. I usually do it every (6) months.

jayk198030 · 11/01/2009, 06:28 PM

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How often should I be cleaning them? They're starting to get ugly with the algea.

when they get ugly with algae. i clean mine once a month real good. in between that they may get a weekly tooth brush scrub.

11/01/2009, 01:16 PM	#1
reice05 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 341	Cleaning Powerheads How often should I be cleaning them? They're starting to get ugly with the algea.

11/01/2009, 02:53 PM	#3
skip2142 Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Glen Allen, Va Posts: 375	Do you just use straight vinegar or a ratio of vinegar-water? __________________ Skip Don't take life so seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway. Current Tank Info: Finnex 30 gallon.

11/01/2009, 04:33 PM	#5
wab Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: nj Posts: 512	+1 Vinegar, and when your done putting that on a czar salad, there is no need for anchovies. mm mm mm __________________ 1 year plus and still I DON'T KNOW!!!! LOL Current Tank Info: 45 high 30 breeder sump/refuge diy

11/01/2009, 06:28 PM	#7
jayk198030 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tag, your it! Posts: 783	-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How often should I be cleaning them? They're starting to get ugly with the algea. when they get ugly with algae. i clean mine once a month real good. in between that they may get a weekly tooth brush scrub. __________________ I feel like 1.025 and i look like skimmate. I eat crap and throw up! What am I? Current Tank Info: I need help!!

11/01/2009, 01:24 PM	#2
sage_commander Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Poulsbo WA Posts: 646	Time to clean them. When you don't like the looks of them, they're too nasty. If you wait until their flow is compromised, you've waited way too long. I let mine sit in a container of vinegar for 15-20 minutes then rinse them real good while scrubbing them. Then I strain the vinegar back into the bottle (I'm cheap that way).

11/01/2009, 04:28 PM	#4
sage_commander Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Poulsbo WA Posts: 646	I use straight vinegar. I imagine I could water it down, but I'm trying to be fast, and it cuts through the algae (even coraline) in short order.

11/01/2009, 05:00 PM	#6
Beefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Detroit, Mi Posts: 65	I just run them in a about a 3:1 water:vinegar ratio for a day, the scrub em good. I have (4) in the display tank and just do one at a time. I usually do it every (6) months.