Does anyone else do this with their powerheads?

[Lavey29]

As you can see below, I have 2 MP40s on my tank which is approaching 3 years old. I have never cleaned them. I sometimes remove the wet side to scrape the glass. They get covered with algae, coraline, zoas, etc...everything has attached itself naturally to the plastic without my assistance. I want them completely covered so they are not recognizable as powerheads and just look like rock islands but vertical up the tank sizes. I don't worry about flow because they are plenty strong and I only run at 28% daytime and 20% overnight intensity.

I know this seems a little strange in the tank. Does anyone else just let their powerheads go like this so they get covered and blend in?

 

[TX_REEF]

Nope, that would stress me out. I respect it though!

 

[am3gross]

That would stress me out also, not to mention my vortechs would not work efficiently and my ocd would kick in.

 

[dstockwell]

I think that would an issue for me. But I haven't cleaned mine in 1 1/2 years

 

[vetteguy53081]

As you can see below, I have 2 MP40s on my tank which is approaching 3 years old. I have never cleaned them. I sometimes remove the wet side to scrape the glass. They get covered with algae, coraline, zoas, etc...everything has attached itself naturally to the plastic without my assistance. I want them completely covered so they are not recognizable as powerheads and just look like rock islands but vertical up the tank sizes. I don't worry about flow because they are plenty strong and I only run at 28% daytime and 20% overnight intensity.

I know this seems a little strange in the tank. Does anyone else just let their powerheads go like this so they get covered and blend in?

I clean mine as needed. This growth is in essence restricting the flow and intake of water

 

[Miami Reef]

I clean mine monthly. Sometimes I’ll use bleach or muriatic acid (never mix bleach and muriatic acid together). I like my pumps clean because there is a HUGE difference in flow.

I notice a large difference after cleaning, even if it’s only been a month between cleanings.

 

[Lavey29]

I clean mine as needed. This growth is in essence restricting the flow and intake of water

I wish I had some probe that could measure if there was significant flow loss. The movement of my corals throughout the tank seems unaffected though. The front of the mp40s is still fairly unrestricted for flow.

 

[Lavey29]

I clean mine monthly. Sometimes I’ll use bleach or muriatic acid (never mix bleach and muriatic acid together). I like my pumps clean because there is a HUGE difference in flow.

I notice a large difference after cleaning, even if it’s only been a month between cleanings.

Interesting, I have not noticed significant flow loss but I have a smaller size tank with oversized powerheads.

 

[Lavey29]

I think that would an issue for me. But I haven't cleaned mine in 1 1/2 years

I have no idea how the zoas got there. Maybe via urchins.

Are you going to stay with non cleaning?

 

[LPS Bum]

My OCD would never let me get away with that. And it definitely restricts flow, no matter what percentage you run them at.

I run my wave makers through a freshwater and vinegar bath 3-4 times a year.

 

[dstockwell]

I have no idea how the zoas got there. Maybe via urchins.

Are you going to stay with non cleaning?

No I really need to get to them, just not on a set schedule.

 

[Lavey29]

My OCD would never let me get away with that. And it definitely restricts flow, no matter what percentage you run them at.

I run my wave makers through a freshwater and vinegar bath 3-4 times a year.

Vinegar has shown to cause some internal issues on powerheads from what I have researched.

 

[LPS Bum]

Vinegar has shown to cause some internal issues on powerheads from what I have researched.

Not in the concentration I use. I fill a 5 gal bucket with warm freshwater, add about 1 cup of white vinegar, and run the power heads for 30 min.

That degree of dilution isn’t going to harm anything. Been doing it this way for years. No problems.

 

[Miami Reef]

Vinegar has shown to cause some internal issues on powerheads from what I have researched.

Agreed. I wouldn’t use vinegar. Citric acid or muriatic acid is much safer: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/beware-of-vinegar-the-pump-killer.643396/

 

[mfinn]

Vinegar has shown to cause some internal issues on powerheads from what I have researched.

You know that the whole issue with vinegar was about the damage it could do on Vortech MP40's. The plastic seal around the neodymium magnets being broken and allowing saltwater to corrode the magnet.
I have been using vinegar on regular powerheads for 40 years and never saw any damage.

 

[Doctorgori]

Can you say H3ll no? LoL
…yeah OCD won’t allow it ha ha
…. cleaning: bleach solution 1st followed by muractic acid …
dunno if vinegar is evil not but regardless pool acid is a heckuva lot faster

 

[Lavey29]

You know that the whole issue with vinegar was about the damage it could do on Vortech MP40's. The plastic seal around the neodymium magnets being broken and allowing saltwater to corrode the magnet.
I have been using vinegar on regular powerheads for 40 years and never saw any damage.

True, that is where I saw most of the issue reported.

 

[Lavey29]

So this is how my powerheads looked before the zoas attached and the urchins got to them. This was like 2 years ago and I have not seen any flow or mechanical issues at all since then.

 

[Aquavaj]

I think if zoas are able to grow on the front then flow must be severely reduced. I think anything that close will be blasted even running at that percentage if it was clean.

 

[I never finish anythi]

No not for me . That must restrict flow like crazy !