Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: Peterhill26 on August 23, 2017, 05:29:01 PM

Title: Cleaning Pipes
Post by: Peterhill26 on August 23, 2017, 05:29:01 PM

Any ideas how to clean inside the spray bar and pipes to a AquaManta EFX 1500U' External Filter for a tropical fish tank.

Title: Re: Cleaning Pipes
Post by: Sue on August 23, 2017, 06:41:05 PM

Would a bottle brush fit inside the spray bar? If the holes are getting clogged with algae, a toothbrush is useful for that.

I know that some people with externals clean their tubing using a length of string with a weight at one end and a piece of cloth tied to the other end. The weight is dropped through the tube till it appears at the other end, then the string with cloth attached is pulled through.

Title: Re: Cleaning Pipes
Post by: fcmf on August 23, 2017, 06:53:48 PM

Alternatively, some potential, non-DIY options might be:
https://www.jbl.de/en/products/detail/2457/jbl-cleany
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/product/aquamanta-impeller-and-detail-cleaning-brush
https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/product/aquamanta-filter-pipe-brush-set

Title: Re: Cleaning Pipes
Post by: kdt1 on August 24, 2017, 10:56:26 PM

I keep 2 pipes, when one gets mucky I use the other one and put the mucky one in soak.

Title: Re: Cleaning Pipes
Post by: Matt on August 25, 2017, 05:10:16 AM

I had been wondering about this... what do you use in the water for the soak?

Title: Re: Cleaning Pipes
Post by: Andy The Minion on August 27, 2017, 08:06:09 AM

I have seen recommendations to use a 3% peroxide in water mixture. I tend to leave mine grubby as they are not visible and the slime is probably consuming Nitrates. I just unblock the spray bar ports with a toothbrush if needed. I leave the filter running and do it before the water change.