Clean Tubes

[garyspence84]

Every Sunday, I do my cleaning of my tank. But the for past couple of weeks, its just not been looking all that clean. So I gave my filter a good cleaning (in tank water of course), and it still didn't look too good.
So I got some new media.... Nope. Still not good.
Next week, some new pads for my filter.... Nope. Still didn't look as clear as its looked.
Then I noticed the tubes...... Oh dear oh dear. CLEARLY.... Someone hasn't been keeping on top of things (me) and theyv gotten a bit manky.
So off they came, jammed into the tap and a good rinse out.
What a difference. Like night and day.
I won't b so lazy next time and won't leave it for 6-7 months
Shame on me.

G

 

[marcandnic]

I too mattered this and almost made my young girl throw up.

My technique is to run hot water through them. Then attach a small bit of sponge to a length of string and drag it through.

The accumulation of muck that comes spilling out is not pretty to a 6 year old lol

 

[garyspence84]

Sponge on a piece of string... Genius!
Never have thought of that. Nice one!

Will keep that in mind for next time.

G

 

[ZoddyZod]

6-7 months? That's nothing.....Haven't cleaned mine in 2yrs

....

 

[FishFanatic04]

 

[garyspence84]

6-7 months? That's nothing.....Haven't cleaned mine in 2yrs

....

Oh dear....

 

[ZoddyZod]

Oh dear....

if I ignore the issue, it will go away.

This is the same method I use in my professional life.

 

[Proxo]

6-7 months? That's nothing.....Haven't cleaned mine in 2yrs

....

3year here, i bought a powerhead to solve the problem
Though i plan on giving them a good clean when, sorry if we get some sun shine again.

 

[Gilli]

Ive never done mine either! Why hasnt anyone ever mentioned this? AARRGGHH! Is it likely to effect the bacteria as I would imagine there would be a good lot growing in the tubes especially mine as its a very deep 250L tank so theres a lot of tube!

 

[Teacher Martyn]

I installed an external filter about a month or so ago.

A week ago, I noticed the fish were gathering at the surface and gasping. Started to panic, did big water change, reinstated internal filter with aerator thingie and never considered pipes.

Swished out filter material. Couldn't decide if flow was reduced or not as I couldn't remember what it had been before. Denied it would be a pipe issue as the filter had been running a relatively short time.

Lo and behold, pipes were gunked to bits. Absolutely full of 'stuff'.

Have ordered one of those JBL Cleeny things. In the meantime, I fill with hot water, cap both ends with a thumb and then shake and bang the pipe against edge of the bath.

I think part of the problem was that the pipes were quite a lot longer than they needed to be, so bacterial sludge was collecting in the dips.

Another fishkeeping lesson learned.

 

[Dazzler666]

Oops. I'm upgrading to a five foot tank so think I will be cleaning my pipes!!! Lol.
Good point well made though!!

 

[DJH584]

Thanks for the tip. I will keep this in mind as I have our first ever external filter arriving tomorrow.

David

 

[DrRob]

Nope, haven't cleaned my tubes out either, but they are see through and not too bad.

 

[coldcazzie]

I have one see through pipe and one not see through one. I'm fairly sure they both ming I been thinking for the last couple of months that they could do with a clean. Maybe I'll do them with the next filter clean... (bear in mind I clean my filter every 4-6 months, and I did it a couple of weeks back... maybe I'll do it sooner LOL )

 

[garyspence84]

Oh dear....

if I ignore the issue, it will go away

This is the same method I use in my professional life.

Hahaha that actually made me laugh out loud there