Cleaning Powerheads Other the vinegar

Budman's Corals · Sep 17, 2014

An suggestions on cleaning powerheads other then the 24 hour soak of vinegar?
I want something instant where pumps are not down 24hr
thanks

JOKER · Sep 17, 2014

Tried bleach?

-Logzor · Sep 17, 2014

Muriatic acid could work, not sure if it would harm your pumps though.

cdness · Sep 17, 2014

http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Magi-Klean-Aquarium-Accessories-Cleaner/dp/B0041JS1ZW

moulton712 · Sep 17, 2014

Sometimes i just clean pumps in rodi water with a toothbrush. Gets the crud off

J Rog · Sep 17, 2014

Ya, I just put my mp 40 wet sides in a container with half vinegar and half hot water. Let them soak for maybe 15-20mins. Then scrub them down with a tooth brush..

StikHedRon · Sep 17, 2014

Yup, I put my power heads in a bucket with a couple cups of vinegar and some hot water. Let them run for about an hour then hit them with a tooth brush. If they need to run some more then I do another 30 mins to an hour and hit them again with the brush.. Usually after the 2nd hour everything is looking fantastic!

60squared · Sep 18, 2014

definantly muratic acid. seen it done countless times

Camellia · Sep 18, 2014

No need for 24 hours with above methods and vinegar. The stronger the vinegar the faster they clean up. I've used straight vinegar on equipment, and back of tanks to remove dead, old, coralline algae. Just soak a few minutes and scrub away....

NanaReefer · Sep 18, 2014

Hot vinegar straight up please! 100% reef safe

5-10 minutes soak time, rinse and your done.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 18, 2014

Take muriatic acid from the hardware store, dilute 1 part acid into 10 parts cool water, being very careful to not get it on yourself or especially your eyes.

Then soak the powerhead (taken apart) in the diluted acid. The calcium carbonate deposits will dissolve with bubbling in just a few minutes. I do it all the time.

ScubaShane · Sep 18, 2014

Straight vinegar bath for one hour and scrub under warm water with a toothbrush.

AZDesertRat · Sep 18, 2014

Straight distilled white vinegar for me, don't dilute it or you affect the pH which is what does the cleaning. I work around acids in my profession so choose to leave them at work.

MounteeFrag · Sep 18, 2014

Hydor Magic Kleen works awesome. Everything will just wipe off.

NanaReefer · Sep 18, 2014

Hot white distilled vinegar straight up, watch the calcium carbonate deposits dissolve with bubbling action in just a few minutes. Be careful because it'll be hot but won't eat your skin-lol.

007rick · Sep 21, 2014

A scoop of oxyclean in hot water...

anthonywesty · Apr 30, 2017

This sounds crazy but I use water and muriatic acid. Only 15 minutes and done!! Some discus breeders use muriatic acid to lower the PH without harm the fish

Miami Reef · Mar 27, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Take muriatic acid from the hardware store, dilute 1 part acid into 10 parts cool water, being very careful to not get it on yourself or especially your eyes.

Then soak the powerhead (taken apart) in the diluted acid. The calcium carbonate deposits will dissolve with bubbling in just a few minutes. I do it all the time.

I frequently read about vinegar ruining seals on pumps. The people usually suggest citric acid.

1. Is the statement I’m reading above true?

2. What’s the ph of 10:1 muriatic acid vs straight vinegar?