cleaning time!

[sharkboy]

Putting in a new sump so might as well clean everything I can...what is the best way to clean an external sump such as a Dart?

[sharkboy]

how about a pump for a skimmer such as a euro-reef? and tunze 6100s? and other miscellaneous pumps or powerheads? anyone?

[cbianco]

If the pump is submersible then feel free to soak it in vinegar and scrub it with a toothbrush. That should take care of the deposits!

Christopher

[sharkboy]

Thanks, how about if it isn't submersible? on another note, what kind of maintenance do chillers require/

[LoneStar]

For cleaning the Dart, I would try contacting the manufacturer, Sequence. I'm sure they can give you some advice of cleaning the pump. I've never taken one apart, but they seem pretty easy to work on. Just make sure the seal won't get damaged if you take it apart....

Chillers have a tendency to build up detritus inside the units over time. The more that builds up, the less water that gets to flow through them, causing them to work harder and eventually break. If you are able to, isolate the chiller from the tank (possibly at night when the lights are turned off and its cooler in the house). Then get a rubbermaid container or something larger, and hook up a submersible pump to the chiller and run clean RO/DI + Vinegar mixture through the lines for a few hours. Possibly put a filter sock on the exit side of the chiller to catch any thing that gets washed out. I'd also find the manufacturer and call them (or refer to your owners manual) and see what they say about cleaning the unit.

[Ping]

How about filling the sump with vinegar / water solution and running the pump and chiller with this solution recirculating. Maybe in the backyard or garage.

Would this work?

[thedude]

We use muriatic acid to clean everything but Tunze pumps (it ruins the internal brakes) and perform chiller maintenance yearly. To clean a chiller, I make a strong 5:1 (water to acid) solution (always add the acid to the water, never the water to the acid) and pour it into the chiller (disconnected of course). After about 15 mins, pour the chiller out and rinse the entire thing out with a garden hose and it should be good as new.

For skimmers, first take apart the pumps and soak them in the acid solution. Once they're spotless (again pay attention to the ceramic rod) hook them back onto the skimmer body and run the skimmer in a rubbermaid (or comparable container) to clean the inside of deposits. After about 15-30 mins, your skimmer should look brand new. The special point of interest to watch when cleaning a skimmer is the air intake for the pumps venturi. I usually take a drill bit just smaller than the opening and scrape any left over deposits.

As for an external pump like the Dart, take the front off and soak anything you can in acid. The tricky part is getting the inside clean but I essentially tip them up on their end and pour the acid solution into the impellar cavity.

For a Tunze, use a strong vinegar solution and soak the dissasembled pump. Visit tunze's forum on RC to learn how to properly take apart your specific pump then pay special attention to the impellar and ceramic rod. These heat up and accumulate quite a bit of calcium on them and usually require several soakings.

Hope that helps,

John

[thedude]

Also on the chiller, it's always a good idea to clean the unit of all the dust, etc. that accumulates with that much air movement. A compressor or can of compressed air works the best.