How often are you cleaning your powerheads?

[kkelly007]

I have a 105g mixed reef tank that has been up and running four months. After performing my weekly water change yesterday--although the water movement seems to be a strong & consistent as ever--I began to wonder whether my gyres/powerheads (two ReefWave 45's) have lost any of their power/efficiency and was wondering if it was time to me to disassemble, soak & clean. Curious as to how often you guys/gals are cleaning yours.

 

[andrewkw]

Once a month I take mine apart and soak them in citric acid (formerly vinegar) and give them a scrub. If I have enough time I really scrape them off, if not I just soak them and brush them off. Either way I don't wait too long to do this. There are a couple of reasons. Performance is of course the most obvious, but longevity is another. I've had some jeabos last 5+ years, tunze's 10+. Thirdly something that often gets overlooked, they are in my display tank. Dirty powerheads are an eyesore. If something as simple as cleaning the powerheads can improve the look of my display of course I'm going to do it.

 

[BlennyTime]

I clean mine every 2-3 months.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Not often enough.

 

[vetteguy53081]

As needed

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

As soon as my pumps start looking horrible I clean them over a week's time until they look brand new again, I have a couple of extras so I either rotate them or not bother.

 

[Jet915]

I do a water change every 2 weeks so i clean a powerhead every water change. So it comes out to every 3 months or so.

 

[Dw79]

When flow seems to slow or coralline starts to build up

 

[ReefRDY]

Lol almost never....

 

[WvAquatics]

Scrub with tooth brush once in awhile yet to remove them and soak. But no coraline algea yet

 

[Auqaman]

I give them the ol in place toothbrush scrub once a month. Bonus points for sonicare