Why you don't wait 4 years between return pump cleanings.....

[Rogue951]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk83/Rogue951/cleaning/20130418_114603_zps579169ac.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk83/Rogue951/cleaning/20130418_114555_zpsd3ef8557.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk83/Rogue951/cleaning/20130418_114651_zps5dd76917.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk83/Rogue951/cleaning/20130418_115530_zpsf04c5ea5.jpg

Since it's my return pump I can't let it sit out overnight.... anyone know if CLR is stronger and works faster and reef safe (over vinegar)???

Incase anyone's wondering thats an eheim 1260.
I guess my return chamber could be a bit cleaner.... lol....

[Aquattro]

Straight vinegar works pretty fast!

[spit.fire]

Muriatic acid

[mrhasan]

Straight vinegar works pretty fast!

+1. Concentrated vinegar will take those nasty stuffs out within an hour or so, even less!

[AquaticFinatic]

Just shows how good the eheim brand is right there lol. I take it it still works?

[Dez]

Haha. That's awesome. I'm the third owner of my Reeflow Dart. It's my closed loop pump and it's been on my system for almost 4 years. It'll be 4 years in August. I'm scared for the day I have to remove it for cleaning.

[beefORchicken]

Muriatic acid +1

[BlueTang<3]

Ehim? If it is they seem to be a bomb proof pump my one for my calcium pumped sand and rocks for a while before I noticed.

[dino]

I keep two that way you can clean them and heven forbid one dies you got a spare

[Rogue951]

yeah Eheim, well worth the cost for those pumps.
I pick up the box of 2x2 gallon jugs of vinegar at US costco for $4. always keep 2 jugs on hand lol.
..... ok take that however u want.... anyway...
hmmm don't know where to find acid. Didn't get to check this before I went to home depot. oh well. I'll go check and hope it's all gone.


It was still pumping, I think the intake being clogged was the bigger issue than the buildup overall. but I expect it to be good as new once it's done it's bath.

[fishoholic]

I'm scared for the day I have to remove it for cleaning.

+1 I imagine my pumps look about the same or worse, I'm also scared to clean them!

[Rogue951]

Alright, so after all has been dissolved... or most... some of it is being stubborn, it seems the calcium buildup has worn my impeller to hell. Looks like a scratching post.
No bulging or anything but the plastic casing is scored.
JL sells new impeller for around $80 I think when I called.
Now... I've been thinking about the Speedwave DC-5000..... Variable pump.. twice as much output as the eheim and can be controlled. I'm gonna start a new thread to see if anyone's heard anything about it.

Eheim 1260.1262 vs. Speedwave pump (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=96937) If you have any opinions (aside from Eheim rocks cause I already know that) please add.

[Son Of Skyline]

Yikes! I haven't cleaned my mag3 return in almost 4 and a half years myself. Maybe I should.

[Delphinus]

It should still work even if the magnet is scored up. Bulging is the bigger problem but I don't think Eheims are prone to that.

Muriatic acid will eat the stuff in minutes, but the stuff is nasty to work with. You'd have to get it at a pool supply place, Home Depot and Rona don't carry it. You'd want to dilute it and do it in a well ventilated area - avoid breathing the fumes. Did I mention it's pretty nasty stuff to work with? :lol:

[Trevor82]

Rona does carry the acid, not sure about home depot, but yeah it does suck to work with.

[warriorcookie]

Canadian tire has it too.

There's a powder you can buy from your lfs that's meant for cleaning pumps. Works faster than vinegar and safer than muriatic acid. Just add water and soak.

[BCOrchidGuy]

muriatic acid is sold in pool supplies at Canadian tire and with solder supplies at home depot and rona

[gregzz4]

I don't see anything wrong with your pics ... why do you want to clean it ? :silly:

Hope it comes out clean
Just goes to show how good our Eheims are

[Aquattro]

With muriatic acid, you really should neutralize it before disposing of it. A box of baking soda works well for that

[BlueTang<3]

With muriatic acid, you really should neutralize it before disposing of it. A box of baking soda works well for that



Oh so don't just pour it on my neighbours lawn :surprise:

[dbdavid]

Save on Foods carries a "cleaning vinegar" that is double strength. It has 10% acetic acid.

[Rogue951]

Oh so don't just pour it on my neighbours lawn :surprise:

or.... vehicle.... *cough*

double strength vinegar? I'll have to look into that. lol.

[gregzz4]

Save on Foods carries a "cleaning vinegar" that is double strength. It has 10% acetic acid.
My wife brought home some of this for me, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet

[asylumdown]

Haha. That's awesome. I'm the third owner of my Reeflow Dart. It's my closed loop pump and it's been on my system for almost 4 years. It'll be 4 years in August. I'm scared for the day I have to remove it for cleaning.

You haven't had to take it out to change the seals yet? Wow. My seals didn't last 8 months.