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View Full Version : How often do you guys clean your return pumps?

cato
09/10/2007, 05:53 PM
How often do you guys clean your return pumps?
kl3377
09/10/2007, 05:59 PM
Internal or external?
wojo
09/10/2007, 07:05 PM
i clean my return pump every 2-3 months by soaking the impeller and the inside in vinegar. i didn't before and after 10 months it simply stopped working due to the calcium buildup and flooded around 5 gallons onto my living room.
cato
09/10/2007, 07:12 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10738432#post10738432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kl3377
Internal or external?

External. Mine is a Reeflo Dart. I was considering cleaning it but that would be lots of work. First have to drain sump completely the disassemble the plumbing. Then clean everything. Was just wondering how many actually do this and how often.
cato
09/10/2007, 08:46 PM
Looks like I'm not the only one who never cleans the return pump. :lol:
cato
09/11/2007, 09:24 AM
One last bump. :D
chris.hampton
09/11/2007, 09:42 AM
If you were to stick some ball valves on the pump all you would have to do is turn the valve off drain the pump and unscrew the valve. Might make it a bit easier!!
SDguy
09/11/2007, 09:45 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10739113#post10739113 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chirocato
External. Mine is a Reeflo Dart. I was considering cleaning it but that would be lots of work. First have to drain sump completely the disassemble the plumbing. Then clean everything. Was just wondering how many actually do this and how often.

You really should install true unions around pumps to make cleaning easier. Well worth the money IMO.
AquaKnight
09/11/2007, 12:55 PM
Cleaning????

I plumbed my 29 a bit too fast and forgot to add some unions like SD is mentioning, and the Mag 9.5 is 'locked' into place with the piping. I'm going to have to 'cut' it out. So needless to say, after adding the sump Jan 10th or so, I still haven't cleaned it. Will be doing so this weekend, but man that thing's built like a tank...
LobsterOfJustice
09/11/2007, 01:13 PM
When it stops running, or I notice another problem...
bhdmc
09/11/2007, 02:34 PM
Since I started using a cal. reactor instead of the two part solution, never had a problem of cal. deposit build up in my pumps. Prior to that, every month I would take it apart and soak the parts in white vinegar.
cato
09/11/2007, 05:53 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10742563#post10742563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SDguy
You really should install true unions around pumps to make cleaning easier. Well worth the money IMO.

Your right. And actually I do have them on there. So looking at it again, maybe it won't be so difficult after all.