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Cleaning powerheads

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  • #1

    Cleaning powerheads

    I have 3 powerheads that were previously in a marine tank. I want to clean them for use in freshwater tanks. They are covered with about 1/8" of hard scale. It is a pink or purple color. Is there a way to safely clean them without chemicals that might harm my freshwater fish. Thanks in advance for any advise or tips on cleaning them.
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  • #2
    Diluted vinegar soak has always worked for me. I'm not sure about equipment used in salt though.

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    • #3
      Re: Cleaning powerheads

      Thanks Rey! I had a marine tank for 12 years. That was about 30 years ago. I hate to waste these powerheads but I do not want to harm my rare plecos. I tried scraping them with razor blade scrapers & flat blade knives but this scale is like concrete. If anyone else has any ideas please get back to me. Thanks Steve.

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      • #4
        Re: Cleaning powerheads

        The easiest way is sell them, and buy some new one.
        sigpic Fish are Friends Not Food


        Need plants? PM me.

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        • #5
          Re: Cleaning powerheads

          If you have even an inkling that they might hurt or kill an expensive group of fish I would pitch them and buy new. It is not worth it unless you are absolutely sure.

          I have used old, scale encrusted powerheads/sponge filter parts/heaters/thermometers/etc... in my tanks after treating them with the following and have not had an issue with them.

          Take them completely apart and soak them in vinegar-water for a couple days. I'd estimate maybe 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water. If you use too much water you can always repeat the process.

          Get a fresh bucket of warm water, a stool, and a scrubber brush/tooth brush and go to town scrubbing in all the nooks and crannies rinsing in the clean water as you go.

          Set all the pieces aside to air dry, after drying you can re-assemble them.

          If you know where they came from (maybe this is you cleaning your old powerheads) then they are ready for service. If you are getting these used, then I would recommend testing them out in a quarantine tank before introducing them to your main tank.

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          • #6
            Re: Cleaning powerheads

            Thanks for the info. I will definetly follow your instructions. I agree I would never reuse them without running them for a while with common & inexpensive fish first. I always do the same when I might pickup a used tank. It is a mistake to take risky chances with rare & expen sive
            Fish. Thanks.

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