cleaning pumps not flowing like they used to

[Darth-Tater]

I have two seio pumps. One is 850 gph and the other is the new 1500 gph. They are not pushing very much water anymore. What does everybody use to clean these suckers? Vinegar or Muratic acid? or what

david

[LoneStar]

I use the pickling vinegar from HEB. It comes in a blue label and is a little bit stronger than the green label. I just stick them in a tub outside, mix a strong vinegar to water ratio mix and plug in to circulate. I do it for a afternoon or so and seems to work well.

[GaryP]

Make sure to take the impellor apart and clean it also. If just a little bit of scale gets on that shaft it may not clean up by just running it in vinegar. I also take a tooth brush and clean out the impellor cavity to get any left over bacterial slime in there.

[NaCl_H2O]

I am impatient, I use a 50/50 mix of water and Muraitic acid. Works much faster than vinegar, but can also be much more harmful to skin & lungs. I agree w/Gary, take whatever you can apart & clean it all. The impeller shaft is probably the most cutial part to get clean ... if you can get it apart.

[GaryP]

Also make sure to save any of those tiny little washers that come off the impellor shaft and put them back in the right order. I ruined a Mag impellor that way. It sounded like a washing machine afterwards.

Muriatic does work quickly but I don't routinely recommend it because its a little harder to find this time of year and because of the safety issues for most hobbyists.

[Darth-Tater]

We have some muratic acid at school. We have all kinds of junk in the Science Dept. We never dispose of anything.

Thanks
I will work on my pumps tomorrow after school

David

[GaryP]

Are you sure its muriatic (20%) or 50% hydrochloric. Of course the only difference is concentration, but you will need to dilute it more. 5-10% should be sufficient.

[NaCl_H2O]

Remember, always add acid to water, NOT the other way!

Muriatic Acid is simply Hydrochloric Acid, use standard precautions. This stuff will sting and tear up your skin, vapors will sting the heck out of your lungs - use in well ventilated area. I used this stuff in pool maintenance and was fairly familiar with it. If you have never used it, be careful and take precautions: Gloves, eye protection, well ventilated area, possibly a respirator (esp. if you have respiratory problems).

Sorry for the soap box - but this stuff ain't just strong vinegar ;)

[GaryP]

David,

I have my pumps set up on a routine schedule for cleaning every 3-4 months. Not only do they scale up but they allso have bacteria growing inside as well as picking up fine particles that accumulate there. I would suggest making a clean out of your pumps as part of your routine maintenance cycle for your system.

[Thunderkat]

I like vinegar. I just soak stuff overnight, rinse it off, and whamo it looks like new. If you don't have a back up pump then a vinegar washing with some scrubbing will work also.