Removing coralline algae from powerheads

[freshy&salty]

Ok guys, ive read about 1000 posts on coralline algae, what it is, how it grows, colors/types, etc etc but i cant seem to find a clear answer.
Ive had my biocube up for coming on a yr now. Been thru the ups and down. Lost a fish, a coral (gsp somehow) and an anemone but otherwise I think a pretty successful setup.
Like everyone else in this hobby, Ive bought and tried and replaced all equipment at least a few times until I found the things that work best for me. After finding the powerheads I like and have stuck with, Im starting to notice the growth of the CA on both powerheads.

Obviously cleaning the powerheads is part of my routine. I have a small set of brushes that I use to scrub what i can but the CA is so stubborn, it doesnt really do much "coming off" even with the wire brush.

Im wondering if anyone has a trick or technique they use to remove CA from their powerheads thats a little more effective?

Pics a recent shot of tank for attention.

 

[dbl]

Remove from tank, soak in a vinegar bath mix, should scrub right off. Rinse well and put back into service. Repeat these steps in about another 6 months.

 

[sa6hir]

Simple answer soak them in white vinegar over night. In the morning they will be good as new.

 

[hijinks7]

100% vinegar bath for 20-30 minutes then it usually comes off pretty easy with a toothbrush.

 

[freshy&salty]

Ah. Thanx everyone.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I have changed the way I approach cleaning powerheads now, I leave the coraline on them. I'll explain.......

I have jebao's, rw15's. I pull them out and take the cage off. Then pull the impeller out. Then I push out the ceramic bearings. The motors and cages get placed in some saltwater. The impellers and ceramic bearings get the vinegar treatment and then rinsed. Put everything back together and back in the tank.

Why not do the whole powerhead? Less vinegar, clean only what's needed.

My powerheads look like they haven't ever been cleaned.

Neurotic? Possibly! Lol

 

[freshy&salty]

I have changed the way I approach cleaning powerheads now, I leave the coraline on them. I'll explain.......

I have jebao's, rw15's. I pull them out and take the cage off. Then pull the impeller out. Then I push out the ceramic bearings. The motors and cages get placed in some saltwater. The impellers and ceramic bearings get the vinegar treatment and then rinsed. Put everything back together and back in the tank.

Why not do the whole powerhead? Less vinegar, clean only what's needed.

My powerheads look like they haven't ever been cleaned.

Neurotic? Possibly! Lol

I dont fully understand. Why not just do the whole thing?
Its sounds like your heads work fine with your method, so is it mostly an aesthetic thing?

 

[freshy&salty]

I dont fully understand. Why not just do the whole thing?
Its sounds like your heads work fine with your method, so is it mostly an aesthetic thing?

Or just the less vinegar thing?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Or just the less vinegar thing?

It's less work, less vinegar. Even if the whole powerhead was vinegar bathed, you still have to brush and scrub all parts to remove the coraline, beacuse it will die off in the vinegar. Kind of a pain. Just faster to do the needed working parts. But that's just me.

Going on 4 years doing this and they are still running just fine.

 

[freshy&salty]

It's less work, less vinegar. Even if the whole powerhead was vinegar bathed, you still have to brush and scrub all parts to remove the coraline, beacuse it will die off in the vinegar. Kind of a pain. Just faster to do the needed working parts. But that's just me.

Going on 4 years doing this and they are still running just fine.

Seems reasonable

 

[ispookie666]

I use citric acid as it does not leave the whole house stinky