How often do you have to clean your pumps/powerheads?

[Anonymous]

I currently have to take apart and clean my pumps every 2-3 months due to buildup on the impellers resulting in the pumps stopping.

I run a kalk reactor and CA reactor as well.

My pumps are a Tunze Stream 6000, maxijet 1200 and a Mag12 (return pump that I would love to change to an external pump but there is no room to put one).

How often do you have to clean your pumps/powerheads?
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Lamborghini Gallardo

 

[Anonymous]

The mag 12 that runs my return has been running without cleaning for over a year.

The little rio that pumps my skimmer shuts down every month and needs to be cleaned.

The two powerheads in the tank have also been running for a year.



A pump that never gets turned off never has a chance to stop IMO. I've noticed that my skimmer pump only shuts down when I turn it off to clean the skimmer.

 

[Anonymous]

My pumps just stop. I have to take them apart and sak them in vinegar for a few hours then scrub.
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Ferrari 250 GT Drogo

 

[Anonymous]

Once every 6 months. Give or take.

 

[Anonymous]

I clean mine every other month, but I have never had one stop either. My theory is the cleaner they are, the more water they are pushing, which is why I bought them in the first place.

 

[MartinE]

Once every 6 months. Give or take.

same here

 

[Anonymous]

Why would mine stop after 3 months? The impellers are usually covered in buildup.
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Ferrari 456

 

[mike90]

something in your tank must be causing extra buildup

 

[Anonymous]

OK. THis is getting rediculous.

I turned off my skimmer pump (Sedra) to clean the collection cup and when I plugged the pump back in - NADA.

I soaked the pump and impeller in vinegar with no luck. It appears the impeller has seized to the shaft if that is possible. Tryign to use some elbow grease I broke the ceramic shaft.

I ordered another impeller and I hope that gets the pump to work again.

Why do I get only a few months use out of my pumps?

Alk - 10.6
CA- 350

I run a CA reactor and a Kalk reactor.

Can it be the Kalk reactor?

Can it me the detritus getting built up on the impeller some how? I do blast the tank with a powerhead once a week and allot of detritus if released.
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Volvo Vehicles

 

[Anonymous]

My lfs carries those ceramic shafts. you might want to check instead of buying a new impeller... just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

i couldnt get the shaft out so I tossed the whole thing.
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Cancer - Breast Forum

 

[Anonymous]

Where are your pumps (or at least the one(s) you have the most trouble with) in relation to the outflow(s) of your Ca and Kalk reactors?

If they're nearby each other, is there any way to put more distance between the two?

I wouldn't be suprised if the skimmer pump had more issues.. - Its a needle wheel impeller on that one still right? (Euroreef standard..)

 

[Anonymous]

I have problems with both the Mag and the Sedra (needle).

I only have a 20G (2 ft) sump so there is not much area to keep the outputs away from the pumps.
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Honda PS250

 

[Anonymous]

Ahhh...

Well... - Sounds like you're kinda stuck with the constant cleaning regime until you can get more distance between 'em..

Only other option would be to off the reactors and switch over to using liquid two-parters, but if you still have as much hard stuff (sps/lps) as you have listed in your specs, that might be more pain than cleaning the pumps.

Good luck however you decide!

 

[Anonymous]

I only had that kind of buildup when I overdosed Calcium. Now I clean my pumps every 4 to 6 months. The Mag 18 on my return was cleaned about 9 months ago.

 

[Anonymous]

wow...its been a year or so since i cleaned either of my powerheads (mj900's?) except for the "strainer". The skimmer head (not sure the pump head, but it is needlewheel..coarlife ss) I have never cleaned yet with vinegar, but do take it apart every 2 months to clean, and the hob wet dry that I use just for surface flow, and to put the carbon and phosban in, over a year for that head (mj900?) but i do clean that "strainer" as well.