How often do you clean powerheads, pumps, skimmers, etc.

[PugsAndFish]

How often do you clean your equipment? I have a Bubble Magus skimmer, Vortechs, Varios return pump. I haven't cleaned any yet but probably should to prolong their lifespan. How often do you clean in vinegar and such to make it as good as new ??

 

[Super Fly]

powerheads - 6 months or sooner if needed (i.e. gyres)
return pump - once a year

 

[Jonreefer]

anytime they look dirty to me. might be one month might be 2 months. I never let anything grow on them. this is only scrubbing with toothbrush and water. I really never use vinegar since I never let them get to the point of ever needing that

 

[Mical]

I clean my skimmer cups every weekend when doing param tests. I clean actual skimmer bodies about every 6 mos and my vortechs every 90 days. Having a spare wetside reduces downtime. Return pump once or twice a year.

 

[miPapareef]

Brush/scrape/in tank:
Glass every few days
Skimmer cup and neck weekly
All weirs (tank overflow and each section of sump), lock line, bulkheads weekly
power heads, skimmer pump and parts, monthly

With vinegar:
Powerheads and skimmer every 4 months but was 6, more now as coralline gets thicker faster
Return pumps every year
Heaters I just replaced at 2 years no cleaning

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Gyre's I scrub and run in vinegar every 2 weeks.
Skimmer whenever cup is half full.

 

[dugthefish]

I deep clean one piece of equipment every week during normal weekly maintenance. Probably averages out to once every three months or so. Powerheads get extra cleaning whenever they visibly or audibly need it.