Why you don't wait 4 years between return pump cleanings.....
 

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Since it's my return pump I can't let it sit out overnight.... anyone know if CLR is stronger and works faster and reef safe (over vinegar)???

Incase anyone's wondering thats an eheim 1260.
I guess my return chamber could be a bit cleaner.... lol....

Straight vinegar works pretty fast!

Muriatic acid

+1. Concentrated vinegar will take those nasty stuffs out within an hour or so, even less!

Just shows how good the eheim brand is right there lol. I take it it still works?

Haha. That's awesome. I'm the third owner of my Reeflow Dart. It's my closed loop pump and it's been on my system for almost 4 years. It'll be 4 years in August. I'm scared for the day I have to remove it for cleaning.

+1

Ehim? If it is they seem to be a bomb proof pump my one for my calcium pumped sand and rocks for a while before I noticed.

I keep two that way you can clean them and heven forbid one dies you got a spare

yeah Eheim, well worth the cost for those pumps.
I pick up the box of 2x2 gallon jugs of vinegar at US costco for $4. always keep 2 jugs on hand lol.
..... ok take that however u want.... anyway...
hmmm don't know where to find acid. Didn't get to check this before I went to home depot. oh well. I'll go check and hope it's all gone.


It was still pumping, I think the intake being clogged was the bigger issue than the buildup overall. but I expect it to be good as new once it's done it's bath.

+1 I imagine my pumps look about the same or worse, I'm also scared to clean them!

Alright, so after all has been dissolved... or most... some of it is being stubborn, it seems the calcium buildup has worn my impeller to hell. Looks like a scratching post.
No bulging or anything but the plastic casing is scored.
JL sells new impeller for around $80 I think when I called.
Now... I've been thinking about the Speedwave DC-5000..... Variable pump.. twice as much output as the eheim and can be controlled. I'm gonna start a new thread to see if anyone's heard anything about it.

Eheim 1260.1262 vs. Speedwave pump If you have any opinions (aside from Eheim rocks cause I already know that) please add.

Yikes! I haven't cleaned my mag3 return in almost 4 and a half years myself. Maybe I should.

It should still work even if the magnet is scored up. Bulging is the bigger problem but I don't think Eheims are prone to that.

Muriatic acid will eat the stuff in minutes, but the stuff is nasty to work with. You'd have to get it at a pool supply place, Home Depot and Rona don't carry it. You'd want to dilute it and do it in a well ventilated area - avoid breathing the fumes. Did I mention it's pretty nasty stuff to work with? :lol:

Rona does carry the acid, not sure about home depot, but yeah it does suck to work with.

Canadian tire has it too.

There's a powder you can buy from your lfs that's meant for cleaning pumps. Works faster than vinegar and safer than muriatic acid. Just add water and soak.

muriatic acid is sold in pool supplies at Canadian tire and with solder supplies at home depot and rona

I don't see anything wrong with your pics ... why do you want to clean it ? :silly:

Hope it comes out clean
Just goes to show how good our Eheims are

With muriatic acid, you really should neutralize it before disposing of it. A box of baking soda works well for that

Oh so don't just pour it on my neighbours lawn :surprise:

Save on Foods carries a "cleaning vinegar" that is double strength. It has 10% acetic acid.

or.... vehicle.... *cough*

double strength vinegar? I'll have to look into that. lol.

My wife brought home some of this for me, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet

You haven't had to take it out to change the seals yet? Wow. My seals didn't last 8 months.