Question about cleaning powerheads

jherrin215 · 04/11/2011, 12:29 PM

I'm trying to clean my powerheads up. I pulled one out and pulled it apart. The inside was FULL of vertimid snails. I'm soaking them one at a time in 50/50 vinegar and water. My question is how long does it normally take soaking in the water to clean these off along with the coraline? Do I just let it soak until its clear or let it soak for a while then scrub it off manually?

reefermad619 · 04/11/2011, 12:38 PM

I'll turn em on in a bucket with some water and vinegar and usually let them run over night. In the morning I pull the PH apart and wipe off with paper towel. I've never had to scrub them because the algea would slide right off.

jflick345 · 04/11/2011, 12:45 PM

Is the powerhead running while soaking? The circulating water makes a big difference in the amount of time to break down the calcium. I just attached my koralias to the side of a bucket and left them run for while. After an hour or 2 it usually gets pretty easy to remove the buildup with a toothbrush or scotch-brite pad though I usually let it run all afternoon. Worst case you just put it back in to soak for longer.

acrohead500ppm · 04/11/2011, 12:54 PM

I usually just use full strength vinegar, no problems, no waiting

Sugar Magnolia · 04/11/2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefermad619

I'll turn em on in a bucket with some water and vinegar and usually let them run over night. In the morning I pull the PH apart and wipe off with paper towel. I've never had to scrub them because the algea would slide right off.

I do this as well. If the vermetids don'nt come right off, use a razor blade to scrape the shell off.

jherrin215 · 04/11/2011, 01:10 PM

No its not currently running. I broke it apart. Guess ill put it back together and plug it up.

snorvich · 04/11/2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefermad619

I'll turn em on in a bucket with some water and vinegar and usually let them run over night. In the morning I pull the PH apart and wipe off with paper towel. I've never had to scrub them because the algea would slide right off.

That is what I do. Be sure to cover the bucket while you run them!!

jherrin215 · 04/11/2011, 05:57 PM

I ran it for several hours. All vertimid snails were gone but the algae was still a pain to clean. Much better now though! 3 to go!

reefermad619 · 04/11/2011, 11:38 PM

Warm water helps too. Some warm water, don't be stingy with the vinegar, and let em run overnight if you can. Works like a charm.

zaheda · 04/12/2011, 06:53 AM

How much of water and vinegar do you guys mix, I need to try this.

Sugar Magnolia · 04/12/2011, 07:58 AM

I usually do 50/50. You can guy gallon jugs of white vinegar for a couple of dollars.

jherrin215 · 04/12/2011, 03:24 PM

I did probably 50 50 also. Seemed to really cut the calcium based filth!

04/11/2011, 12:29 PM	#1
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	Question about cleaning powerheads I'm trying to clean my powerheads up. I pulled one out and pulled it apart. The inside was FULL of vertimid snails. I'm soaking them one at a time in 50/50 vinegar and water. My question is how long does it normally take soaking in the water to clean these off along with the coraline? Do I just let it soak until its clear or let it soak for a while then scrub it off manually?

04/11/2011, 12:38 PM	#2
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	I'll turn em on in a bucket with some water and vinegar and usually let them run over night. In the morning I pull the PH apart and wipe off with paper towel. I've never had to scrub them because the algea would slide right off. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

04/11/2011, 11:38 PM	#9
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	Warm water helps too. Some warm water, don't be stingy with the vinegar, and let em run overnight if you can. Works like a charm. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

04/12/2011, 07:58 AM	#11
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	I usually do 50/50. You can guy gallon jugs of white vinegar for a couple of dollars. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

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04/11/2011, 12:45 PM	#3
jflick345 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 884	Is the powerhead running while soaking? The circulating water makes a big difference in the amount of time to break down the calcium. I just attached my koralias to the side of a bucket and left them run for while. After an hour or 2 it usually gets pretty easy to remove the buildup with a toothbrush or scotch-brite pad though I usually let it run all afternoon. Worst case you just put it back in to soak for longer.

04/11/2011, 12:54 PM	#4
acrohead500ppm Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: No,never,never Posts: 723	I usually just use full strength vinegar, no problems, no waiting

04/11/2011, 01:10 PM	#6
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	No its not currently running. I broke it apart. Guess ill put it back together and plug it up.

04/11/2011, 05:57 PM	#8
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	I ran it for several hours. All vertimid snails were gone but the algae was still a pain to clean. Much better now though! 3 to go!

04/12/2011, 06:53 AM	#10
zaheda Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 674	How much of water and vinegar do you guys mix, I need to try this.

04/12/2011, 03:24 PM	#12
jherrin215 GO COLTS!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 854	I did probably 50 50 also. Seemed to really cut the calcium based filth!