Equipment cleaning question

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by lillys Grandad, Dec 1, 2008.

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  1. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2008
    Messages:
    2,074
    Location:
    Rio Linda, California
    Good day to ya all...
    Hope you had a wonderful feast and fun with family.
    Question...
    When taking pumps and such out for regular maintenance..."3 months will be my established cycle".
    What are the recommended and/or suggested ways of cleaning..other than just scrubbing like nuts.? I've heard Bleach and I've heard Vinegar and even mild bio/natural soaps such as orange cleaners etc. Soaking times? I don't want to lose the coralline on my korillas...but they need cleaning also...I'd rather work smarter...not harder.
    Today is shut down and clean day. Open for suggestions.
    Thanx in advance.
    LG
     
    lillys Grandad, Dec 1, 2008
    lillys Grandad, Dec 1, 2008
    #1

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  2. conjuay

    conjuay Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2007
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    I'm from the vinegar school. Five gallon bucket, two gallons vinegar, dump pumps and power heads in and plug them in. I loet that run until someone complains that the whole house smells of vinegar.

    As far as coraline, that's one of the things (IMO)you should be trying to get off the pumps.
     
    conjuay, Dec 1, 2008
    conjuay, Dec 1, 2008
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. Dr.Fragenstein

    Dr.Fragenstein Panda Puffer

    Joined:
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    2,108
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    SE Wisconsin
    I also use vinegar, typically a 50/50 mix or sometimes more vinegar heavy depending on the amount of coralline and so on. I let sit in solution for at least a half hour, again depending on the encrusting algae, I then take out the equipment and scrub w/ my fish tank toothbrush(worth the $2!!) and get out the remaining gunk be it detritus or coralline.

    I also agree w/ the lack of coralline on equipment, whether its a pump or skimmer or whathave you, they were meant to run w/o the colorful algae on it. Aesthically it does look nice but in any healthy tank it will be back-quickly!!

    Remember to rinse the equipment again in F/W to remove any lingering vinegar.

    Good luck and happy reefing
     
    Dr.Fragenstein, Dec 1, 2008
    Dr.Fragenstein, Dec 1, 2008
    #3
    1 person likes this.
  4. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Even though you aren't supposed to run powerheads in a vinegar solution, that's what I do. It's bad for the grommets/seals. If you are concerned about the coralline on your pumps, scrape some of it off while the pump is running in your tank and spread/seed elsewhere in your system. You will get to a point that you will curse the stuff trust me. I only control coralline growth on my front glass and it comes back pretty within 1-2 days. 3-5 to where I need to scrape.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2008
    missionsix, Dec 1, 2008
    missionsix, Dec 1, 2008
    #4
  5. lillys Grandad

    lillys Grandad Horrid Stonefish

    Joined:
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    2,074
    Location:
    Rio Linda, California
    Cool... It is just starting to spread on the rocks and such...and for that I'm happy....but I guess I'm not to the point of it being a problem....at the rate it is spreading I would say it is soon to come.:-/...Have not seen any on the glass yet...just on the rocks and the equipment. So... I will scrape before I remove...for seeding purpose. then run a 50/50 solution and run my pumps through it for about a half hour....then take them apart and scrub them...rinse them through, and put'r back on line? DO'n a little water change while I'm at it....to bad I couldn't give the critters some Zanex...just so they would chill out while all the activity and intrusion is occurring. LOL
    BTW...still working on a black out fixture for the overflow...I think I got a good idea work'n...I'll let ya know.
    LG
     
    lillys Grandad, Dec 1, 2008
    lillys Grandad, Dec 1, 2008
    #5