How do you clean powerheads?

[Miami Reef]

My 4 powerheads take a month before they get “clogged” with algae and organics to where the performance is suboptimal.

I want to start a monthly-maintenance-pump-cleaning-routine. Is bleach needed? How do you clean powerheads that accumulate algae, nori, and other gunk that is organic? Just scrub?

Thanks!

 

[sergifed91]

I get a bucket and fill it with h2o. Then grab one gyro pump and a toothbrush and scrub it clean. Then repeat for the second gyro pump.

 

[Mikedawg]

I use citric acid (Millard's on Amazon) and a tooth brush; have read where bleach over time can compromise wire coating.

 

[Brucealmighty]

I use a bottle brush as the coralline algae is that thick it usually seizes the cage so I can't twist it off, so I end up turning it off and using a selection of bottle brushes, a toothbrush is a good plan, I might add that to my arsenal maybe even a cheap electric one

 

[gbru316]

I use citric acid (Millard's on Amazon) and a tooth brush; have read where bleach over time can compromise wire coating.

Muriatic acid works well, too.

a bit more dangerous, but most of us pool owners already have it lying around.

 

[HBtank]

An equipment safe acid (citric/muriatic) and brushes that fit. I find that every pump has its own routine, but generally as much disassembly as possible and cleaning all moving parts at a minimum. Any more cleaning is typically cosmetic.

 

[reaper93]

I use citric acid and it works so well

 

[gbroadbridge]

My 4 powerheads take a month before they get “clogged” with algae and organics to where the performance is suboptimal.

I want to start a monthly-maintenance-pump-cleaning-routine. Is bleach needed? How do you clean powerheads that accumulate algae, nori, and other gunk that is organic? Just scrub?

Thanks!

I use citric acid which I buy in bulk off ebay.

quarter cup in one gal of water and let them soak for 30 minutes or so,

I've got into the habit of cleaning one each week, after 4 weeks I start over.

 

[Rmckoy]

Cages , frag racks and any other parts not connected to a mag motor I use vinegar and water .

propellers , and pump bodies I use bottle lemon juice . Buying Citric acid in Canada isn’t as cheap compared to buying in the USA .

 

[exnisstech]

Depends on what your trying to remove. Coraline then acid of your choice. If it's just soft alage I disassemble and scrub with a toothbrush. 5 minutes in and out with no soak time.

 

[G Santana]

Just a tooth brush no chemicals, vinegar or citrus acid.
I get them pretty clean and I leave as much coraline algae on the outside as possible.
I clean them every two months or when I see the flow reduced

 

[kiswanson]

For the vortec mp10s I have an extra wet side I swap out and let the dirty one soak in BRS citric acid overnight (3/4 cup per gallon rodi water) and then wash off it off and let it dry. For my gyre, I take it out and let it run in a bucket of citric acid for about 30-60 min then unplug, take it apart and scrub it with a brush.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thanks guys! Water itself worked great!