Return pump maintenance strategy

[ReefBeta]

I have been using Jebao return pump for quite a while. I don't regularly clean the return pump. Then eventually it would fail to start after off for feeding, and I will have to take it apart to vinegar soak it. The reason is always build up in the impeller. That usually happen once over a year to 2 year. And today is the most recent one ... It sucks because the vinegar soak takes so long to unstuck the impeller, hours or even over night.

So now I want to make some improvement on it, am considering 2 options.

1. Get another identical Jebao pump, and regularly swap it out to clean, probably every 6 months. Then I will be able to vinegar bath it overnight, without worrying about the tank without return for too long.
2. Get a better pump that can go for years without cleaning. Ecotech Vetra is probably the best upgrade, but will it run for years without needing to vinegar bath it?

Thoughts? What is your return pump maintenance strategy?

 

[jt17]

I would get a second identical pump so all
you have to do is switch them out. Then you won't have to rush your vinegar bath. Besides its always a good idea to have a backup return pump on hand if you can.