old plumbing

sabalough · 12/29/2011, 07:15 PM

Is there any good way to clean out old tank plumbing? ????

I have a built in the wall tank with sump / fuge /skimmer in the basement. The system has been up and running for about 8 years. The plumbing is thoroughly encrusted with sponges and tube worms (all manners of life actually)

The decrease in flow of the return line is causing increased noise on the drain line and driving my wife nuts. In the past I've always just cleaned / rebuilt the pump and/or opened the restrictor valve a bit. But now the return line is wide open.

I may have to just replace all of the plumbing...1.5" sch 40 pvc....

Chris27 · 12/29/2011, 08:29 PM

Given that PVC is so cheap, it'll likely be that much easier just to replace it provided it's easily accessible. I've cleaned out small pipes in reactors and such, and it's a royal PITA on a small scale....I would gladly drop the $15 for 20' of pipe and a handful of fittings.

12/29/2011, 07:15 PM	#1
sabalough Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: near canton ohio Posts: 583	old plumbing Is there any good way to clean out old tank plumbing? ???? I have a built in the wall tank with sump / fuge /skimmer in the basement. The system has been up and running for about 8 years. The plumbing is thoroughly encrusted with sponges and tube worms (all manners of life actually) The decrease in flow of the return line is causing increased noise on the drain line and driving my wife nuts. In the past I've always just cleaned / rebuilt the pump and/or opened the restrictor valve a bit. But now the return line is wide open. I may have to just replace all of the plumbing...1.5" sch 40 pvc.... __________________ diy it if you can Current Tank Info: mixed reef/70 thru-wall /basement sump

12/29/2011, 08:29 PM	#2
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Given that PVC is so cheap, it'll likely be that much easier just to replace it provided it's easily accessible. I've cleaned out small pipes in reactors and such, and it's a royal PITA on a small scale....I would gladly drop the $15 for 20' of pipe and a handful of fittings. __________________ Fill your tank with $5 bills, add gasoline and light it on fire.....only then will you know the real cost of reefing. Current Tank Info: 180 Mixed Reef

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