How to clean pvc?

[Treenk]

I'm afraid since I put in these lines that they may have a good amount of something.. algae idk. Anyhow is there a way to clean out the inside of pvc piles? Someone else has had to have had this problem. Wow than sentence but you get the point. There are 2 pipes to the sump and a return.

They just aren't properly draining. No matter how I set the 1/4 turn ball valve on the main tube, it still gargles or has the suction noise.

 

[Udest]

perhaps after tearing them down a good soak in vinegar looks like there may be some calerous fouling inside from all the spirosis everywhere

 

[Reef Tripp]

The main line looks very high it has to be more submerged to be able to form a complete siphon, try to remove the tube and leave only the elbow, and the second line only adjusts to overflow to a minimum

 

[mfinn]

I doubt there is algae growing on the inside of your pvc pipes. It needs light to grow.
With up turn 90's like that, it's hard to quiet them down.
You might be able to get away with a modified herbie drain setup.
A google search will explain the herbie drain.
Maybe a more efficient valve on the main drain?

 

[Snoopy 67]

Ball Valves are not sensitive enough to really set the water flow in a pipe. You need a Gate Valve.

 

[ca1ore]

I have never bothered to clean out PVC fittings or pipe. Major obstructions yes; regular fouling over time, no. What problem is it that you are trying to solve. Probably just replacing the fittings is easiest.

 

[Treenk]

Ok so when I did it I could get it perfect where it would just about rise to the second pipe without actually going in so there was no air or anything and now it seems like no matter what I do that's impossible. And I suspect that my cheto may slowly be getting in there now so much growing just getting trapped somehow. But yes I wish I used a gate valve I saw things when I was doing it that said no but its impossible to get right on the first try. Also my elbows have to be there in order for the water level of my tank to go up to the border on the top.

 

[Snoopy 67]

A 2 pipe drain system can be very "finicky". A Herbie drain should have a 6" height difference between the drain & emergency & you are not even close. You still need a Gate Valve.

 

[robbiereef8691]

Toothbrush or I have a paint gun cleaning kit that has like a long rental rod with bristles on it to get down the tubes