Pump and powehead maintenance frequency

Palting · 02/23/2012, 11:56 AM

Hello, all. Just wanted to see how frequently everyone takes their pumps and powerheads apart to soak and clean them.

Thanks for voting!!

Palting · 02/23/2012, 02:47 PM

Looks like every 6 months is taking an early lead. Interesting!

patsfan1130 · 02/23/2012, 03:06 PM

I soak my Vortechs and Tunze every couple of months. Return pumps...more like once a year

KafudaFish · 02/23/2012, 03:09 PM

I will go with 6 months on PH but longer on return pumps.

If flows have slowed the timeframe can change though.

thegrun · 02/23/2012, 03:32 PM

I voted 6 months, but I try to keep a 4 month regiment.

Palting · 02/23/2012, 07:03 PM

Thanks for voting and for the input, guys.

My powerheads refused to turn back on after a water change, so I've been rotating soaking them in 100% vinegar the last few days. I've been hesitant in shutting off the return pump, since that would mean the sump with the refugium, reactors and skimmer would have to go off-line. Finally did it after almost 2 years of continuous running, and I found so much mineral deposits and junk on the washer beearings I was surprised it was working at all!!

sporto0 · 02/23/2012, 09:02 PM

I would say every 6 months on pumps for sure, I usually clean powerheads in the sink every month but not a good vinegar soak until 6 months.

View Poll Results: Pump and powerhead maintenance fequency
Once a month or more often	8	18.60%
Every 3 months	7	16.28%
Every 6 months	20	46.51%
Once a year or longer	8	18.60%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll

02/23/2012, 11:56 AM	#1
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Pump and powehead maintenance frequency Hello, all. Just wanted to see how frequently everyone takes their pumps and powerheads apart to soak and clean them. Thanks for voting!! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

02/23/2012, 02:47 PM	#2
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Looks like every 6 months is taking an early lead. Interesting! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

02/23/2012, 03:06 PM	#3
patsfan1130 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Woburn, Ma Posts: 2,010	I soak my Vortechs and Tunze every couple of months. Return pumps...more like once a year __________________ My cat's breath smells like cat food Member of the Boston Reefers Society Current Tank Info: 75g lps, 90g sps, 120g mixed, 180 nem tank, 300g reef, 600g up & coming reef

02/23/2012, 07:03 PM	#6
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Thanks for voting and for the input, guys. My powerheads refused to turn back on after a water change, so I've been rotating soaking them in 100% vinegar the last few days. I've been hesitant in shutting off the return pump, since that would mean the sump with the refugium, reactors and skimmer would have to go off-line. Finally did it after almost 2 years of continuous running, and I found so much mineral deposits and junk on the washer beearings I was surprised it was working at all!! __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

02/23/2012, 03:09 PM	#4
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	I will go with 6 months on PH but longer on return pumps. If flows have slowed the timeframe can change though.

02/23/2012, 03:32 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I voted 6 months, but I try to keep a 4 month regiment.

02/23/2012, 09:02 PM	#7
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	I would say every 6 months on pumps for sure, I usually clean powerheads in the sink every month but not a good vinegar soak until 6 months.