Best solution for cleaning powerheads

[Reefbuds]

I clean my powerheads regularly with a peroxide soak and rinse. I'm wondering if there is a better, safer alternative to peroxide. I do rinse very well but am always worried about residue making it into the tank. Any thing more reef safe out there effective enough to clean a dirty powerhead? Thanks!

 

[ZoWhat]

Spray butter

 

[Reefbuds]

Spray butter

Which brand do you recommend? Artificial or natural?

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Food grade citric acid.

 

[LeftyReefer]

I soak my wavemakers in a bucket with citric acid.
does a great job of cleaning them up.

saying that, I would not be too worried about any residue from peroxide.
Many of us dose peroxide directly to our tanks, so a little residue isn't going to hurt anything.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I cleaned my skimmer today with the citric acid. Used 1 cup per gallon of tap water and let it soak for awhile. It came out wonderful.

 

[Reefbuds]

Nice. I'll have to give it a shot. Just regular citric acid?

 

[polyppal]

I clean my powerheads regularly with a peroxide soak and rinse. I'm wondering if there is a better, safer alternative to peroxide. I do rinse very well but am always worried about residue making it into the tank. Any thing more reef safe out there effective enough to clean a dirty powerhead? Thanks!

Go citric acid and you’ll never go back. BRS sells it in little jars.

I just put them all in a bucket with the acid mixed with water and run them for a few hours. Works great.

 

[LeftyReefer]

5 lb bag on amazon. although it looks like the 10 lb bag is the better buy right now.

food grade citric acid

 

[Jeffcb]

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

 

[Sebastiancrab]

This is what I bought.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I'm old fashioned, I still use vinegar and hot water and a toothbrush.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm old fashioned, I still use vinegar and hot water and a toothbrush.

Vinegar is very hard on rubber and plastic. Citric acid works just as well on calcium buildup, etc, but does not damage the pump.

 

[Miami Reef]

For calcium buildup I use muriatic acid. For organic buildup I use bleach. Don’t mix the two ever.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I use nothing but warm water and brush to clean my power heads.

 

[Reefbuds]

I use nothing but warm water and brush to clean my power heads.

I still get in there with a toothbrush but I like to let the solution get into the cracks and what not I can't reach, helps a lot. Sounds like citric acid is where it's at

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Vinegar is very hard on rubber and plastic. Citric acid works just as well on calcium buildup, etc, but does not damage the pump.

yes, you can't soak it overnight, but cleaning for 2-3 minutes and well rinsed wont hurt it a bit, I've kept powerheads for up to 8 years.

 

[Koh23]

Quick cleaning, brush, water....

Detailed cleaning, muriatic acid, few min and everyrhing is brand new.....

 

[PatW]

Routine clean - brush and water.
A little more - brush , water and vinegar.
Intense for removing coralline algae - soak in muriatic acid diluted about 20 fold with tap water or RODI. Then brush. Sometimes - let sit, brush, toss back in, let sit, brush and so on.