What do you use to clean pumps?

Dilan Patel · Jul 18, 2017

So how do you all clean your circulation pumps that being mp40's,gyres,sunsun's,korallia,tunzes,etc. I want to know how you get them clean. If you soak over night and in what solution that works best without damaging the pump. Do you put a spare pump in place while cleaning. Any tips you would like to share. i have a gyre and am looking to clean those.

RyanCSGO · Jul 18, 2017

I've always used 2:1 or 3:1 ratio of water and distilled white vinegar.
I plug the power head in and let it run for about 30 minutes or so in the bucket with that, then take it apart and give it a good scrub down with whatever cleaning utensils you have (toothbrush etc.) then let it run for a few more minutes. rinse in water then back into the display tank.

saltyfilmfolks · Jul 18, 2017

Strait Vinegar and scrub.

Reefer1978 · Jul 18, 2017

eyeball vinegar and scrub

xjiang7 · Jul 18, 2017

citric acid

Big G · Jul 18, 2017

Citric Acid

outeastreefer · Jul 18, 2017

Vinegar soak over night

mfinn · Jul 18, 2017

Straight vinegar overnight.

anthonywesty · Jul 18, 2017

Muriatic acid. 8 ounces in one gallon of water.

Rimsky · Jul 18, 2017

Leave it running overnight in 1:1 white vinegar - RO solution.

anthonywesty · Jul 18, 2017

Why overnight when it can be done in 20 minutes using muriatic acid. [emoji1303]

Salty1962 · Jul 19, 2017

White Vinegar and Food Grade H2O2. Vinegar for calcium/carbonate cleansing and H2O2 for algae.

theblackpearl · Jul 19, 2017

1:1 vineger and water over night them scrub with a toothbrush. Final rinse with hot water

tdunmore2 · Jul 19, 2017

I'm on the vinegar and hot water bandwagon. Soak for a few hours, rinse in h2o2 for 10 minutes and a good rinse in hot water.

I also always lube my pump assembly with scuba silicone on the mags and glycerin on the shafts and ends.

Kyle Sicard · Jul 19, 2017

anthonywesty said:
Why overnight when it can be done in 20 minutes using muriatic acid. [emoji1303]

To those using vinegar I would highly recommend giving muriatic acid a try. I use to soak all pumps and do a deep cleaning on equipment every 6 months. I tried muriatic acid one time and it is such a better method by a long shot. Even with a deep cleaning every 6 months according to my flow meter I gained 350LPH on my return pump on the same setting with one cleaning of muriatic acid.

All I do is disassemble equipment and place in a 5g bucket and add 1 cup of muriatic acid per gallon. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub off whatever is left, which isn't much. The equipment comes out looking brand spanking new afterwards. It takes much less time and cleans much better.

Jbod77 · Jul 19, 2017

Kyle Sicard said:
To those using vinegar I would highly recommend giving muriatic acid a try. I use to soak all pumps and do a deep cleaning on equipment every 6 months. I tried muriatic acid one time and it is such a better method by a long shot. Even with a deep cleaning every 6 months according to my flow meter I gained 350LPH on my return pump on the same setting with one cleaning of muriatic acid.

All I do is disassemble equipment and place in a 5g bucket and add 1 cup of muriatic acid per gallon. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub off whatever is left, which isn't much. The equipment comes out looking brand spanking new afterwards. It takes much less time and cleans much better.

Can you put it straight in the ST or does it have to soak in freshwater like if you use bleach? Or just air dry? i wouldn't want Muratic Acid getting into my DT

Kyle Sicard · Jul 19, 2017

I just rinse of the equipment with FW before going back in the DT.

Fritzhamer · Jul 19, 2017

DeltecUSA back in the day used to say that vinegar is hard on rubber. He said it could cause it to crack over time. He advocated muriatic or citric acid instead. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

I use the Tunze citric acid. 20 minute soak and everything is pretty much gone. Scrub if need be , rinse and back in the tank.

revhtree · Jul 19, 2017

Kyle Sicard said:
To those using vinegar I would highly recommend giving muriatic acid a try. I use to soak all pumps and do a deep cleaning on equipment every 6 months. I tried muriatic acid one time and it is such a better method by a long shot. Even with a deep cleaning every 6 months according to my flow meter I gained 350LPH on my return pump on the same setting with one cleaning of muriatic acid.

All I do is disassemble equipment and place in a 5g bucket and add 1 cup of muriatic acid per gallon. Soak for 15-20 minutes and then scrub off whatever is left, which isn't much. The equipment comes out looking brand spanking new afterwards. It takes much less time and cleans much better.

What precaution should you take when using muriatic acid? I am looking for something better and quicker!