Return pump disgusting???

Nem0 · Mar 20, 2019

I got a new pump today and I was in the process of switching everything, I took out my old pump and was like what the heck how/why is this thing so dirty?? Tank has been up for about 2 months, water looks good, parameters are good...but the pump is so gross. I have an AIO 9g, the first chamber is a recently added protein skimmer, second is filter media (biomax, carbon, purigen), third if the return pump and heater.

Any ideas how it could have gotten SO dirty? Is this normal?

Potatohead · Mar 20, 2019

Looks pretty clean lol

Yes normal and why pumps should be cleaned routinely, although I’m willing to bet 90% of us keep doing the “maybe next week” thing for like five months at a time.

KrisReef · Mar 20, 2019

Bio fouling is normal.
Soak the pump in vinegar to remove life and calcium deposits is routine maintenance. Lots of people do that once a month and the pumps tend to last longer running clean.