Best method to clean return pump?

messina06 · 12/19/2011, 09:18 PM

Tomorrow I will be doing some maintainence on my tank and was curious what the best method to clean out my return pump. I used to use white vinegar with water. Curious what others use.

caliking · 12/20/2011, 03:20 AM

I use warm water and a tooth brush. Works everytime

Plumbcrazy · 12/20/2011, 10:06 PM

Vinegar bath mixed with warm water. I clean all my equipment that way.

karsseboom · 12/21/2011, 12:44 AM

Put the pump in warm water with vinegar and let it run in a bucket of water over nite. You can't just rinse it with vinegar you have to let it sit in there all day.

discus513 · 12/21/2011, 12:58 AM

I take as much of it apart as I can and clean it with warm water. If you can do without the pump for a day or so, the water/white vinegar works great but most of us can shut down our return pumps for a whole day without problems.

aleonn · 12/21/2011, 02:17 AM

I also use hot water and a toothbrush because I don't have a backup return pump. Otherwise I'd soak in vinegar overnight.

jfingers8 · 12/21/2011, 02:21 AM

I don't think you really have to sit there all day and soak it in vinegar. I don't have backup equipment either and usually soak it for a couple of hours and it comes out very clean. Your tank would obviously be fine without a return pump for a couple of hours and just let the powerheads run.

sirreal63 · 12/21/2011, 08:45 AM

I use hot vinegar and a stiff tooth brush. Heating the vinegar helps to speed up the cleaning. You do not want it hot enough to warp plastic, but warm enough to improve the cleaning. I can clean every pump in my tank in a few hours.

12/19/2011, 09:18 PM	#1
messina06 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: ft lauderdale, FL Posts: 364	Best method to clean return pump? Tomorrow I will be doing some maintainence on my tank and was curious what the best method to clean out my return pump. I used to use white vinegar with water. Curious what others use.

12/21/2011, 08:45 AM	#8
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I use hot vinegar and a stiff tooth brush. Heating the vinegar helps to speed up the cleaning. You do not want it hot enough to warp plastic, but warm enough to improve the cleaning. I can clean every pump in my tank in a few hours. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

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12/20/2011, 03:20 AM	#2
caliking Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 242	I use warm water and a tooth brush. Works everytime

12/20/2011, 10:06 PM	#3
Plumbcrazy Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 117	Vinegar bath mixed with warm water. I clean all my equipment that way.

12/21/2011, 12:44 AM	#4
karsseboom Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 2,183	Put the pump in warm water with vinegar and let it run in a bucket of water over nite. You can't just rinse it with vinegar you have to let it sit in there all day.

12/21/2011, 12:58 AM	#5
discus513 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hamilton, Ohio Posts: 63	I take as much of it apart as I can and clean it with warm water. If you can do without the pump for a day or so, the water/white vinegar works great but most of us can shut down our return pumps for a whole day without problems.

12/21/2011, 02:17 AM	#6
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	I also use hot water and a toothbrush because I don't have a backup return pump. Otherwise I'd soak in vinegar overnight.

12/21/2011, 02:21 AM	#7
jfingers8 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: MA Posts: 562	I don't think you really have to sit there all day and soak it in vinegar. I don't have backup equipment either and usually soak it for a couple of hours and it comes out very clean. Your tank would obviously be fine without a return pump for a couple of hours and just let the powerheads run.