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Cleaning return pumps

svreef

svreef

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How do y’all do it? Remove them and leave the tank without flow for as long as it takes to get them clean and back online?


The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this post belong solely to me and are not necessarily those of BAR.
 
That’s what I do. Take it offline, clean it while powerheads are otherwise on, then back online. I pick a time when the ambient temp makes it so that I don’t need my heaters (in the sump) to work.

One thing that’s different when I clean the return pump is that I put in some extra hustle to try to minimize the downtime. I pre-scrub with a toothbrush, then soak for 30 min in citric acid, then brush again, then soak again for 30 min again, then brush, etc. As soon as it’s clean enough I reinstall it, generally about an hour.

The other option would be to swap in a second pump while you clean the first. I do have a backup return pump so I could do this, but I don’t.
 
with this hobby, it is good to have two of almost everything: spare return pump, heater, powerhead mainly. i have 2 spare wet sides for my mp40wqd that i change out every 3 months or so and soak them in citric acid, before storing them. i have a spare return pump and heater that i used for mixing water. i use the mixing return temporary while i clean out the main return pump.
 
This is another reason why I run 2 pumps in my return where I can take one pump offline for service without worrying about the time limit.


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Can I use this citric acid for cleaning my mp10 wet sides?

20210423_183951.jpg
 
That’s the same brand citric acid I‘ve been using for years.

Citric acid 5%
1 cup dry in 1 gallon water, keeps for a week without preservative

(16 oz frag container = 2 cups)

Preservative (optional):
0.1% sodium benzoate
= 3.8g/gallon
= 5 ml/gallon (1 teaspoon/gallon)
Dissolve in water first, then add to acid
 
You can also use a vinegar bath if you have some sitting around. You can get 2 gallons of Four Monks vinegar at Costco for really cheap.
 
JVU said:
That’s the same brand citric acid I‘ve been using for years.

Citric acid 5%
1 cup dry in 1 gallon water, keeps for a week without preservative

(16 oz frag container = 2 cups)

Preservative (optional):
0.1% sodium benzoate
= 3.8g/gallon
= 5 ml/gallon (1 teaspoon/gallon)
Dissolve in water first, then add to acid
Click to expand...
What is the preservatives for? Can you filter out the scum that pollutes the water/acid and reuse it?

I typically use a small volume of water and citric acid and dispose of it after cleaning cause it has a lot of algae and gunk mixed in
 
max_nano said:
What is the preservatives for? Can you filter out the scum that pollutes the water/acid and reuse it?

I typically use a small volume of water and citric acid and dispose of it after cleaning cause it has a lot of algae and gunk mixed in
Click to expand...
In my experience, 5% citric acid starts growing mold after about a week. The preservative prevents it indefinitely. Sodium benzoate is a food-safe preservative. Should also be completely reef-safe, but I normally rinse thoroughly after cleaning anyway so no concern for me there.
 
My latest protocol is I make up 4 gallons of it in a 5 gallon bucket and keep it around for whenever I want to clean something. I’ve noticed if I keep maintenance easy and readily available I’m much more likely to do it.
 
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