How often do you clean your return pump?

[BZOFIQ]

Mine has been running non stop for about 6 years. I keep saying im going to clean it but I never do.
So I guess my answer is never.

Yeah, thats me!

Next week, next month, next year.

I dont have calcium buildup or anything of that nature so if anything ever grew on my pumps it's "peach fuzz" - never prevented the pump from running.

 

[BZOFIQ]

My Abyzz A200 (1of 2 pumps) has been running at 60% for past two years. Never needed to dial it for the overflow so I guess the flow hasn't changed.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

When I notice the flow drops.

 

[mfinn]

My Abyzz A200 (1of 2 pumps) has been running at 60% for past two years. Never needed to dial it for the overflow so I guess the flow hasn't changed.

Not knocking your budget, it's my dream pump.
I think if I spent that much on a pump I would definitely clean it on a set schedule.
I learned my lesson recently with a Red Dragon 150 watt. I didn't clean it for 6-7 years. The controller failed ( or internal power supply) and the pump unfortunately was toast. I was told I could sell the pump body and the impeller, but when I took it apart both were so badly grooved that it was trash. So now I have to change.

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

Well dang, now i don’t know what to say. Mine seemingly gunks up a lot faster than everyone here. I’d much prefer to subscribe to this never schedule! Any thoughts on how/why you are able to get away with this?

 

[get-salty]

If you're using the best return pump, you'll only need to clean it once a year.


Reef Octopus VarioS

 

[Quietman]

We're supposed to clean it?

 

[get-salty]

We're supposed to clean it?

I mean.. you dont have to clean anything on your reef tank really. dont worry about it bud.

lol

 

[BZOFIQ]

Not knocking your budget, it's my dream pump.
I think if I spent that much on a pump I would definitely clean it on a set schedule.
I learned my lesson recently with a Red Dragon 150 watt. I didn't clean it for 6-7 years. The controller failed ( or internal power supply) and the pump unfortunately was toast. I was told I could sell the pump body and the impeller, but when I took it apart both were so badly grooved that it was trash. So now I have to change.

Great pump indeed!


Valid point, I'll setup a reminder for May/June.


Right now I have to swap UVs at end of this months so that's priority.

 

[exnisstech]

Well dang, now i don’t know what to say. Mine seemingly gunks up a lot faster than everyone here. I’d much prefer to subscribe to this never schedule! Any thoughts on how/why you are able to get away with this?

What does it get gunked up with? This jebao DCP 15000 hasn't been out since I set the tank up over 2 years ago but the pump intake strainer is still pretty clean. No roller mat just 200 micron mesh socks that usually over flow before I change them.

EDIT: Entire chamber for reference. I don't clean my sumps ever.

 

[ColorMeGone]

In my nano AIO tank I clean the return pump about once a month. It has a very porous foam block around it that I also clean. Keeps small critters out of pump itself.

 

[Quietman]

I mean.. you dont have to clean anything on your reef tank really. dont worry about it bud.

lol

Thanks. I wasn't worried. :) It's been running in my system now for 5 years. Tunze 1073.050. The only thing that's gone wrong is the little knob broke to adjust speed. Luckily, it broke in a good position so I didn't try to fix it for months. Once I did several months ago now I learned something very cool. Those little plastic knobs on Tunze controllers are designed to break before the potentiometer breaks protecting the expensive piece and it's an easy swap. Wish I knew that before ordering the entire controller. Should've reached out to Roger BEFORE I ordered it. Very practical design solution to a problem. I just ordered 3 more of them for a couple bucks apiece just in case.

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

Well dang, now i don’t know what to say. Mine seemingly gunks up a lot faster than everyone here. I’d much prefer to subscribe to this never schedule! Any thoughts on how/why you are able to get away with this?

What does it get gunked up with? This jebao DCP 15000 hasn't been out since I set the tank up over 2 years ago but the pump intake strainer is still pretty clean. No roller mat just 200 micron mesh socks that usually over flow before I change them.

EDIT: Entire chamber for reference. I don't clean my sumps ever.

Usually it’s a brown and slimy film.

 

[exnisstech]

Do you run a fuge? I wonder if lighting plays a role? I run my sumps dark and my fuge is all rock run as a cryptic zone so the only time my sump is lit is when the doors are open. I suppose mine could be gunked up inside and I just don't know it because I never look. its a large enough pump it runs at a lower speed so maybe its strong enough it over comes the build up. I have had lager pumps chew up and spit out soft solids that would probably not make it through the impellers in a smaller pump that's a possibility too I suppose. I also suspect I may be a bit lazy and don't really look for things to do that I don't enjoy.
I really believe cleaning pumps is a good thing and could extend their life but like I said I'm lazy. I have 3 tanks with sumps and backups for all pumps so all I would have to do is swap them out and clean the old one at my leisure but I still don't do it

 

[t5Nitro]

I haven't ever cleaned any return pumps on my tank I've had set up. Glad to see this is common practice, haha.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Not knocking your budget, it's my dream pump.
I think if I spent that much on a pump I would definitely clean it on a set schedule.
I learned my lesson recently with a Red Dragon 150 watt. I didn't clean it for 6-7 years. The controller failed ( or internal power supply) and the pump unfortunately was toast. I was told I could sell the pump body and the impeller, but when I took it apart both were so badly grooved that it was trash. So now I have to change.

Yes something people don't realize. More gunk=increased resistance on the motor. Its bound to fail.

 

[BryanM]

Lately it seems like i have to keep turning up my return pump to compensate for it slowing down. Once i clean it, i can always lower back down to my initial settings. I feel like i’m having to clean it a lot lately. So i ask, how often does everyone else have to clean theirs? I’m most interested because I find it to be a pain in the butt.

I've recently been told I should clean mine

 

[BubbleAlgaeFarmer]

The brown slime i get is on the magnet of the impeller. Not sure how to prevent that

 

[69cam]

Another never here. I run all jebao DC pumps. 6 years on one when I took the tank down. Currently have one at 2+ years another 3+ years and one less than a year.

Haha, roughly the same here. :)

 

[vlangel]

I had never cleaned mine until I took down the tank to upgrade. It had probably been running for 5+ years. I bought it to replace an ancient 9.5 magdrive that I bought used and also had never cleaned. I got probably a decade from that 2nd hand return pump. Maybe I should have cleaned it because it might have lasted 20 years!