How often do you clean your return pump and lines?

[Scorpius]

Thought this was good to bring up. I try to clean my return pump when I notice a reduction in flow back to my aquarium. Whenever I have to start turning up my Ecotech Vectra M1 to stop the water noise in my overflow I know it's time for a good cleaning.

It's crazy how a little buildup of slime in the pump and return lines can drag down your flow rates.

Don't forget to clean the heart of your aquarium folks! Your system depends on it!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I take my return pump out and deep clean it every 3 to 4 months. As far as my lines, I run PVC lines and went dissassemble them to clean unless I observe an issue.

 

[cracker]

I don't do it often enough.

 

[Scorpius]

I take my return pump out and deep clean it every 3 to 4 months. As far as my lines, I run PVC lines and went dissassemble them to clean unless I observe an issue.

That's why I like to use soft silicone tubing. It's easy to take out and clean. I use Julian's Thing to ram a rag down the tube to clean it out.

 

[ca1ore]

Is it a trick question? Where's the 'never' option?

Actually, I guess that isn't strictly true. I use an apex flow meter and it's always getting hung up. Usually cutting power to the pump and letting the drain down back flush everything fixes the problem. But I almost never take the pump apart and never clean the flex pipes. Based on the flow meter, there is some initial flow loss from dirt in the pipes, but it stabilizes at about 4 months.

 

[kwhyle]

Whenever I see actual blockage. Its difficult especially now that Im having a hard time finding time maintaining the tank itself.

 

[Flippers4pups]

In all my years of reefing, I have never cleaned my drains or return pipes. In a basement sump system or long distance sumps from the DT, it would be almost impossible to "clean" the plumbing. Return pumps and powerheads, no problem.

I would suspect most people that have these kind of systems would never clean them ether.

Need a "never clean" option in the poll.