Cleaning powerhead suction cups

newbiemike · 08/09/2006, 11:39 AM

What works well? Mine are falling off the glass creating quite a mess.

Divetime · 08/09/2006, 11:46 AM

I just washed the suction cups on my MJ powerheads lastnight with a little vinegar & hot water. Used an old toothbrush to scrub them clean.

jezzeaepi · 08/09/2006, 11:53 AM

Really the only solution is to keep buying new suction cups, or buy one of the suregrip magent holders to mount it securely. The suction cups will keep wearring out.

splateee · 08/09/2006, 01:55 PM

I clean the suction cups with the algae pad that i use for cleaning the glass. Also clean the glass area where the suction cups stick to, ours would get a film behind them and fall off even after cleaning them. Also depending on how the top of the tank is, you can try using a clothes pin or some type of clip to hold the power cord in place, this way if it does fall it will be held in place and fall into the sand or turn in such a way to blow sand.

IslandCrow · 08/09/2006, 09:15 PM

If it's just coraline on your suction cups that are keeping them from sticking, soaking them in a 50/50 vinegar/water solution works really well for me. If there's starting to get deformed, it's just time for some new ones like jezzeapi said. So far, pretty much all of mine seem to be working acceptably well after a year or so.

outy · 08/10/2006, 12:53 AM

in the long run its best to find other means to attach anything in your tank. suction cups suck lol

newbiemike · 08/10/2006, 05:26 AM

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input!

szwab · 08/10/2006, 06:30 AM

i'd also reccomend getting rid of the suction cups. They will keep falling off. not worth the hassle IMO

Teeka · 08/10/2006, 06:47 AM

After the 3rd rock tumble caused by the suction cups. I got the sure grip magnetic holders. They are pricey but worth it.

RudeBoy · 08/10/2006, 08:24 AM

Are they Rio pumps or what???

flameangel88 · 08/10/2006, 08:32 AM

I just had that happen last night with one of the three MJ 1200 and sand kicked all over. One of the suction cup just will not hold and the PH constantly tilting down and finally had to scrub the glass and was fine after that.

How much are those suregrip magnets? Hope they are not too expensive as I'll need a total of 5 sets.

Teeka · 08/10/2006, 09:21 AM

flameangel88 you have pm.

ShellBell · 08/10/2006, 03:16 PM

I have boiled them to help them get their shape back but it is only a temporary fix - get knew ones and save yourself some headaches!! I ended up glueing mine to a mag float, then I went closed loop - no more powerheads.

superman1013 · 08/10/2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flameangel88
How much are those suregrip magnets? Hope they are not too expensive as I'll need a total of 5 sets.

And where can you order them, LOL, I may need some as well

jezzeaepi · 08/10/2006, 06:12 PM

They are 25 a piece(for .5inch glass, 35 for 3/4inch glass), so you may want to go with the magfloat + glue method if you need that many of them. They work for tunze and seios as well.

flameangel88 · 08/10/2006, 07:59 PM

Teeka: thanks again for the PM.

$25 each is just too much right now for 5 sets and if buy a magnet I'll need to buy one for the Tunze first.

Oh well, just have to clean the glass more often.

08/09/2006, 11:39 AM	#1
newbiemike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 71	Cleaning powerhead suction cups What works well? Mine are falling off the glass creating quite a mess.

08/09/2006, 09:15 PM	#5
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	If it's just coraline on your suction cups that are keeping them from sticking, soaking them in a 50/50 vinegar/water solution works really well for me. If there's starting to get deformed, it's just time for some new ones like jezzeapi said. So far, pretty much all of mine seem to be working acceptably well after a year or so. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

08/10/2006, 06:30 AM	#8
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	i'd also reccomend getting rid of the suction cups. They will keep falling off. not worth the hassle IMO __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

08/10/2006, 08:24 AM	#10
RudeBoy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Greece, NY Posts: 728	Are they Rio pumps or what??? __________________ "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for mankind..." - Horace Mann Current Tank Info: 65g AGA RR, 20g long Sump, ASM G2 Skimmer, Closed Loop System w/ Mag 9.5 Return, 2 AI Prime HD LED Modules, Custom Stand/Canopy, Various residents

08/10/2006, 03:16 PM	#13
ShellBell Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, Illinois Posts: 448	I have boiled them to help them get their shape back but it is only a temporary fix - get knew ones and save yourself some headaches!! I ended up glueing mine to a mag float, then I went closed loop - no more powerheads. __________________ *Michelle* My username was msim001s and I had a lionfish avatar - I needed a change! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon reef, 30 gallon sump, closed loop, 2 250W reefstar MH's

08/09/2006, 11:46 AM	#2
Divetime Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 179	I just washed the suction cups on my MJ powerheads lastnight with a little vinegar & hot water. Used an old toothbrush to scrub them clean.

08/09/2006, 11:53 AM	#3
jezzeaepi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 385	Really the only solution is to keep buying new suction cups, or buy one of the suregrip magent holders to mount it securely. The suction cups will keep wearring out.

08/09/2006, 01:55 PM	#4
splateee Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flower Mound, Texas Posts: 561	I clean the suction cups with the algae pad that i use for cleaning the glass. Also clean the glass area where the suction cups stick to, ours would get a film behind them and fall off even after cleaning them. Also depending on how the top of the tank is, you can try using a clothes pin or some type of clip to hold the power cord in place, this way if it does fall it will be held in place and fall into the sand or turn in such a way to blow sand.

08/10/2006, 12:53 AM	#6
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	in the long run its best to find other means to attach anything in your tank. suction cups suck lol

08/10/2006, 05:26 AM	#7
newbiemike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 71	Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the input!

08/10/2006, 06:47 AM	#9
Teeka Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 75	After the 3rd rock tumble caused by the suction cups. I got the sure grip magnetic holders. They are pricey but worth it.

08/10/2006, 08:32 AM	#11
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 3,998	I just had that happen last night with one of the three MJ 1200 and sand kicked all over. One of the suction cup just will not hold and the PH constantly tilting down and finally had to scrub the glass and was fine after that. How much are those suregrip magnets? Hope they are not too expensive as I'll need a total of 5 sets.

08/10/2006, 09:21 AM	#12
Teeka Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 75	flameangel88 you have pm.

08/10/2006, 06:12 PM	#15
jezzeaepi Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 385	They are 25 a piece(for .5inch glass, 35 for 3/4inch glass), so you may want to go with the magfloat + glue method if you need that many of them. They work for tunze and seios as well.

08/10/2006, 07:59 PM	#16
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 3,998	Teeka: thanks again for the PM. $25 each is just too much right now for 5 sets and if buy a magnet I'll need to buy one for the Tunze first. Oh well, just have to clean the glass more often.