Equipment cleaning

[reeferkeeper]

HI EVERYONE,
I have a questions abot cleaning reef equipment. I realize that you dont clean it with any chemical cleaning agent. My question is how often does everyone clean out their skimmer, powerheads and overflow tubes for the sump/wet-dry? I am having a problem with losing my siphon at least once a day. I cany seem to keep the U tube cleaned out. There is so much growth inside the tube that I cant even scrap the stuff growing inside...I assume they are some sort of tube worm, but they are THICK in there. I had to take my powerheads apart to scrap this stuff out of it to...as well as other interesting life forms that I have no idea what they are. I havent really heard anyone talking about equipment cleaning, but would appreciate your feedback...thanks,
Mike

 

[nm reef]

I use hot water to clean out my skimmer and power heads. I fill a clean sterile 5 gal bucket with ro/di water(I heat some in the micro wave to bring temp up)...then I place the unit to be cleaned in and let it run for 5-10 minutes.Some things need to be scraped/scrubbed by hand...but most of the major stuff can be cleaned simply via my low tech hot water cyle method......

 

[kris]

NM reefs method is the way to go--but it should be done often--once a month perhaps. If your tube is that full of shi!--then I guess I would replace it. What a huge pain in the ass--trying to mess with that everyday. <img src="graemlins//yell.gif" border="0" alt="[yell]" />

 

[broomer5]

Wow that's wild - having that much growth in your U-tube.
Kris has a good suggestion - get a new U tube, or even get 2 or 3 of them. Rotate a clean one for a clogged one, and keep a spare.
Losing your siphon once a day is a MAJOR problem.
What size overflow ( flow rating ) vs your return pump flowrate.
You may be experiencing a situation where your pump is under rated, and your overflow flowrate is too low. I'm just guessing on this - cause I can't see what this "growth" is in the U tube.
I do a major cleaning on the pumps every 2-3 months. If the pump's internals are getting encrusted with growth, sometimes a weak water/vinegar solution may help bust the stuff up. You must be sure and fully rinse these parts after cleaning with this though.
Other than that - I just do routine cleaning on pieces and parts as they appear to need it.
Wild thing ya got going there with your overflow.

 

[reeferkeeper]

I will TRY to take some pics today if I get a chance. I figured that these things were just a normal part of the reef system. I have had to scrap the over-flow boxes out several times to get rid of this stuff. Now I am really curious as to why I am getting so much of this stuff. Oh, btw, it is snowing again <--- sucks!
I forgot to mention that I have a Tidepool wet/dry filter, if that means anything...I know, I know...I am planning on changing to a sump/fuge soon...But I keep waiting because I want to get a bigger tank and do it all at once.