how to clean powerheads?

[new reefer in michigan]

My protein skimmers do not work skim like they used to. I think that I need to clean the powerheads. I was wondering how you guys cleaned your powerheads. I have never cleaned mine before so any suggestions will be very helpful, thanks

 

[goldenboy]

Well usually the bottom of the pump comes off and you can just pull out the impeller and give it a and the rest of the powerhead a good rinse. That is all that I do unless i have bad mineral deposits building up on the pump. In that case just use about a cap of vineger in 1-2 cups of water and soak the pump to get the deposites off. just make sure that you rinse the pump off with fresh water until there is no vineger smell or you will kill things in the tank with the vineger that is left on the pump.

On another note I doubt that your pump is the problem unless it is running slow. I would be more inclined to say that your skimmer is the problem. Try adjusting the air flow a little. Also if you haven't cleaned the skimmer in a while you should do that and see if things change.

 

[ReefLion]

Yes another possible culprit is growth in the tubing from the pump to the skimmer. That will likely get some growth on it even in a high flow application like that.

Tim

 

[Anonymous]

i took my pumps apart regularly, on a rotation basis,and placed in a bucket-covered 'em with vinegar,and after putting them back together, ran them in vinegar for a minute or two, then rinsed 'em in freshwater-did a great job of removing the calcium/carbonate film off the cylindrical magnets!
i wouldn't worry too much about a miniscule amount of vinegar getting into your tank-it probly won't be able to impact on it much, given all the buffers present :wink:
i think that ReefLion's suggestion is usually the main reason for decrease in skimmer performance-crystallization of minerals in the venturi inlet.

the question is: by 'not working' do you mean less bubbles, or less foaming?-it could also be that you have less organics building up/unit of time, from better maintenance/water changes/more efficient feeding, etc.
also- if you're putting hands in the tank more often-this will interfere with the ability of the water to hold surface tension, which will = less foam.
hth

 

[Anonymous]

On my skimmer, it has a free moving valve that regulates the air/water combination to the tube. If it gets stuck in a particular orientation, I can lose the suction from my air hose, and I only get water, or the air flow becomes less. If I'm feeling lazy, I just compensate by attaching an air pump to the air intake.

The problem in this case is that calcium (or whatever other sediment exists) causes the valve to sieze up, and it must be loosened. Soaking in the vinegar solution suggested should do the trick if this is the case as the slightly acidic solution should cause the calcium deposits to dissolve.

 

[JohnD]

If you want to go crazy, you can always use a new toothbrush to scrub away at the impeller. I do that after soaking in pure vinegar. That may help.