How often do you clean return pumps?

silverfly · 02/22/2010, 03:09 AM

Hi everyone!
I've noticed my return pump in my sump is not as powerful as it was and my coral are not moving in the flow nearly as much. Then i thought-i've had this new tank running since last year and havent cleaned inside the pump yet! My last tank was sumpless. How often do you clean/service pumps and what is your procedure? It seems like its rattling a bit too

Thanks guys

Richie

lordofthereef · 02/22/2010, 04:01 AM

I like to do a vinegar soak once every 6 months. It is nice to have spares. I take the one offline that needs cleaning, add the spare into the system and clean the one that had been running the past 6 months. When that one is cleaned it gets stored as the spare and will be put back online when the next cleaning day comes around.

ludnix · 02/22/2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

I like to do a vinegar soak once every 6 months. It is nice to have spares. I take the one offline that needs cleaning, add the spare into the system and clean the one that had been running the past 6 months. When that one is cleaned it gets stored as the spare and will be put back online when the next cleaning day comes around.

I have to agree, I allowed my return to go a year without cleaning and was amazed at the performance difference after cleaning it. I now try to cycle it and the spare pump between cleanings on the same 6 month schedule. I originally just cleaned the return, but by switching them out I can be sure my spare is actually working.

thenewone · 02/22/2010, 05:32 AM

i go about 6 months as well its a must

maroun.c · 02/22/2010, 05:39 AM

a vinegar bathat 6 months would usually be enough

glaukos · 02/22/2010, 05:40 AM

i try to clean it in every wc that i make every month

that way is much easier getting it cleaned

but the spare pump is better option i think

silverfly · 02/22/2010, 05:48 AM

Thanks guys. I have no spare so i just gave it a good clean and returned it. Everything is as new.
Yeay!!!

Richie

Frick-n-Frags · 02/22/2010, 06:07 AM

it is amazing how the minerals build up in the impeller compartment.

silverfly · 02/22/2010, 06:34 AM

Yes you are right. Glad i cleaned it for sure.

richie

JeF4y · 02/22/2010, 09:14 AM

I'm 6 months in on mine and am noticing that it's getting a little noisy, extra vibration, etc. It's time...

Milky3 · 02/22/2010, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the info, getting ready to start up my tank.

RokleM · 02/23/2010, 09:30 AM

Completely depends on the pump and usage.

For example, my PanWorld 40px is in the "dirty" section of my sump where all my drains are. It's used to feed my skimmer. Every 6-12 months, it gets a cleaning. A good diassembly, wipe down, and possibly applying some vinegar takes care of it. My return Panworlds however have run for nearly three years and I just tore one apart for cleaning. There was nothing but a fine slime that needed a quick wipe down with a cloth.

On the other hand, my eheims and tunze/vortech's need a good vinegar or muriatic acid bath somewhere between every month to three months to stay in perfect working order.

lostintheocean · 02/23/2010, 12:23 PM

never cleaned return but i have it turned down anyways so.. I did just scrub down my k3 power heads for the first tiem in a year and the flow now is probally twice what it was before cleaning. I have brittle micro brittle stars adn all sorts of stuff living the the power heads

02/22/2010, 03:09 AM	#1
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	How often do you clean return pumps? Hi everyone! I've noticed my return pump in my sump is not as powerful as it was and my coral are not moving in the flow nearly as much. Then i thought-i've had this new tank running since last year and havent cleaned inside the pump yet! My last tank was sumpless. How often do you clean/service pumps and what is your procedure? It seems like its rattling a bit too Thanks guys Richie

02/22/2010, 04:01 AM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I like to do a vinegar soak once every 6 months. It is nice to have spares. I take the one offline that needs cleaning, add the spare into the system and clean the one that had been running the past 6 months. When that one is cleaned it gets stored as the spare and will be put back online when the next cleaning day comes around. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

02/22/2010, 05:32 AM	#4
thenewone Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: houston tx Posts: 105	i go about 6 months as well its a must __________________ whats another thing, please i promise it will be the last.... sike Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

02/22/2010, 05:39 AM	#5
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	a vinegar bathat 6 months would usually be enough __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

02/22/2010, 06:07 AM	#8
Frick-n-Frags Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: north central OH Posts: 10,740	it is amazing how the minerals build up in the impeller compartment. __________________ Only Dead fish swim with the current. Current Tank Info: 2 50 gal tanks, sump, still BB

02/22/2010, 05:40 AM	#6
glaukos Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,106	i try to clean it in every wc that i make every month that way is much easier getting it cleaned but the spare pump is better option i think

02/22/2010, 05:48 AM	#7
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Thanks guys. I have no spare so i just gave it a good clean and returned it. Everything is as new. Yeay!!! Richie

02/22/2010, 06:34 AM	#9
silverfly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: england Posts: 579	Yes you are right. Glad i cleaned it for sure. richie

02/22/2010, 09:14 AM	#10
JeF4y El Conquistidor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,057	I'm 6 months in on mine and am noticing that it's getting a little noisy, extra vibration, etc. It's time... __________________ I've made a small fortune in Reefing! I just started out with a large fortune and the rest came easily. Want a Cleaner Wrasse? Consider a shower! ;-) Current Tank Info: 60 Cube!

02/22/2010, 10:46 AM	#11
Milky3 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harlingen ,Tx Posts: 148	Thanks for the info, getting ready to start up my tank.

02/23/2010, 09:30 AM	#12
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	Completely depends on the pump and usage. For example, my PanWorld 40px is in the "dirty" section of my sump where all my drains are. It's used to feed my skimmer. Every 6-12 months, it gets a cleaning. A good diassembly, wipe down, and possibly applying some vinegar takes care of it. My return Panworlds however have run for nearly three years and I just tore one apart for cleaning. There was nothing but a fine slime that needed a quick wipe down with a cloth. On the other hand, my eheims and tunze/vortech's need a good vinegar or muriatic acid bath somewhere between every month to three months to stay in perfect working order. __________________ -Eric-

02/23/2010, 12:23 PM	#13
lostintheocean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: deep blue Posts: 467	never cleaned return but i have it turned down anyways so.. I did just scrub down my k3 power heads for the first tiem in a year and the flow now is probally twice what it was before cleaning. I have brittle micro brittle stars adn all sorts of stuff living the the power heads