I had 2 pumps (1 return and 1 protein skimmer pump) quit working on me last week. Turns out that they locked up because of calcium build up on the impellor shaft. After I removed the shaft and soaked it in vinegar they worked fine again. The return pump had only been in the sump for 6 months or so and the skimmer pump only 4 months. How often do you clean yours?
How often do you clean your pumps?
- Thread starter jasper24
- Start date
Hopestar075
Member
I am following on this one........
Me too. I have not cleaned my Powerheads in a year and they are still working, but I know it's about time!
Bad thing is ... In one of my PH's (maxijet 1200) where the cord comes out of the top I have a Mini-Brittle living in there. It's wild because all you can see is his legs sticking out but you know he's there. His legs actually go to the surface where I assume he's skimming for food!
Bad thing is ... In one of my PH's (maxijet 1200) where the cord comes out of the top I have a Mini-Brittle living in there. It's wild because all you can see is his legs sticking out but you know he's there. His legs actually go to the surface where I assume he's skimming for food!
I turn mine off once per week while I do water changes and feed my tank. It was when I tried to restart the pumps that they failed. I dose a 2 part in my sump which I believe adds to the build up on the impellors. I just cleaned my Mag 5 return (It was still working) but now it appears to be pumping better flow and has quieted down also.
This one will vary a lot, I think, depending on your tank parameters. I was using just Oceanic salt for a while, and with the 550 or so CA reading, I was having to clean my Maxi-Jets about every 2 months or less. Corraline was everywhere: I had to clean the tank sides every few days.
After a recent calcium precipitation episode (another story), I had a layer on everything, everywhere, and cleaned all of my pumps.
My Pan world, Iwaki and Blue Line pumps have never indicated they needed to be cleaned (i.e. making noise, etc), but there was a fair amount of junk in them after the precipitation incident. I had run the the Blue Line and Iwaki (both 55 equivalents) about a year before I cleaned them, I think. Stuff does not seem to stick to that white type of plastic in these pumps as it does to that in the Maxi's, Mag's, etc.
Now with more normal Ca, I seem to be able to go 3-4 months with my power heads.
-Mike
After a recent calcium precipitation episode (another story), I had a layer on everything, everywhere, and cleaned all of my pumps.
My Pan world, Iwaki and Blue Line pumps have never indicated they needed to be cleaned (i.e. making noise, etc), but there was a fair amount of junk in them after the precipitation incident. I had run the the Blue Line and Iwaki (both 55 equivalents) about a year before I cleaned them, I think. Stuff does not seem to stick to that white type of plastic in these pumps as it does to that in the Maxi's, Mag's, etc.
Now with more normal Ca, I seem to be able to go 3-4 months with my power heads.
-Mike
Kaiser Tang
Premium Member
I clean my skimmer pump about once every 6 months. I usually clean my mag return pump once a year. I think I would do it more often, but those things are a pain to get out of my sump to clean.
Lordhelmet
Active member
I've cleaned my Mag 12 once in the 14 months i've had it and my power heads once in 18 months. I haven't had my skimmer for more then 6 months so i haven't cleaned it yet. I'm a believer that you should clean your returns at least once a year.
