Pumps vibrate/hum? Time to clean.

my particular return pump can be fully disassembled. i do so, and clean each part as im doing it. i then put it all back together and run in vinegar/water while i start cleaning the next. then i rinse them like mad and put em back in the tank.

vinegar will break down all the organics (including coralline algae)

 

Aye vinegar is good for kalk - just soak and let it bubble for a while.. normal debris slime you can just wipe off.

 

How long do you have to soak things in vinegar for to clean them?
Also what is the measurements for vinegar solution....is it 2 caps per 1 gallon, etc...?

 

depends. i bought some pumps used once and i ran them in 100% non-diluted vinegar for 30min to get all the junk off and out of them. because i dont like to buy vinegar ... otherwise yes i use a 1:10 solution and it'll dissolve everything it just takes longer.

i dont care about Coraline buildup on the pump housing per say. if its a situation where the coraline has started growing in the housing itself where the impeller is i for sure let that soak till its all gone.

ive let a tank of water sit in a 1:10 solution before and overnight EVERYTHING was gone off the glass. it was great.

remember to rinse the hell out of whatever you soak in vinegar. if there are still organics on the item you're soaking in vinegar, you may wind up getting some residual vinegar in the tank which could potentially lead to serious problems if depending on the amount.