Does Anyone Know How To?

[TraceyB]

I have a tetratec ex1200 external filter and the pipes are brown and spotty brown on the inside. I was wondering if anyone else had the same issue and do you know any tips on how to clean them out without dismantling them? Or how to avoid this happening?

 

[njstockley]

I have a tetratec ex1200 external filter and the pipes are brown and spotty brown on the inside. I was wondering if anyone else had the same issue and do you know any tips on how to clean them out without dismantling them? Or how to avoid this happening?

cleaned the pipes on mine this weekend - scrunched up a ball of filter wool, tied a shoe lace around it, and pull it through. worked a treat. smaller ball of filter wool and some fishing line for the inlet / outlet pipes.
not sure why you would have that build up - think i read somewhere on here that it can happen following a cycle?

 

[TraceyB]

I have a tetratec ex1200 external filter and the pipes are brown and spotty brown on the inside. I was wondering if anyone else had the same issue and do you know any tips on how to clean them out without dismantling them? Or how to avoid this happening?

cleaned the pipes on mine this weekend - scrunched up a ball of filter wool, tied a shoe lace around it, and pull it through. worked a treat. smaller ball of filter wool and some fishing line for the inlet / outlet pipes.
not sure why you would have that build up - think i read somewhere on here that it can happen following a cycle?

My ph crashed a couple of weeks ago which had an affect on my ammonia levels only ....... That may explain it.......
not sure where to source the post you are referring to...

It sounds like a lot of work meaning I'll have to remove both pipes....

Thanks for your suggestion

 

[BigbruiserAl]

i got one those a long while ago, saved me hours f'ing and blinding lol

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EHEIM-400557-FLEXIBLE-CLEANING-BRUSHES-SET-OF-3-/190663402684?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2c646ca4bc

 

[Xraymark]

"Take the tube and submerge it in a 10% bleach solution, ensure the tube is full of the solution. Leave it for 30 mins. Then give it a good blast of tap water, and finally soak it in clean water for 30 min to get rid of any bleach, and it will look good as new

I do it with my all pipes when they start to get mucky, Co2 diffusers and with my glass poppy intake on my nano tank. Works a treat, and will not harm your fish, given that you have rinsed and soaked any residue away with clean water."


DevotedToDiscus gave me this advice. Yeah the pipes do get filthy. Just another part of the maintance schedule.

 

[TraceyB]

"Take the tube and submerge it in a 10% bleach solution, ensure the tube is full of the solution. Leave it for 30 mins. Then give it a good blast of tap water, and finally soak it in clean water for 30 min to get rid of any bleach, and it will look good as new

I do it with my all pipes when they start to get mucky, Co2 diffusers and with my glass poppy intake on my nano tank. Works a treat, and will not harm your fish, given that you have rinsed and soaked any residue away with clean water."


DevotedToDiscus gave me this advice. Yeah the pipes do get filthy. Just another part of the maintance schedule.

I have bought baby sterilizing fluid but it's only a 5% solution. Nxt time I do a complete tank clean I'll tackle the pipes..... Worried that I may not get the pipes off as I secured them on pretty well

BBAl ...... I have cleaning brushes but not with flexible tubing think I'll buy fishing line and use that to attach to it save me some money buying new brushes

 

[This Old Spouse]

I just took a length of wire and attached a rag on the end. Works great and it was basically free.

 

[OldMan47]

There are lots of ways to clean a long piece of tubing. One of those is the drop through method that has already been outlined but be sure to use something heavy to ensure that it gets through to the point where you will be pulling from. Another approach may seem a bit out of line until you try it. Go to a gun shop and buy a shotgun cleaning kit. It will contain a stiff cleaning rod and a brass brush intended for a particular barrel diameter. Since lots of barrel diameters exist, you will be able to find a brush intended for exactly your tubing diameter. Heck, bring a small sample of tubing with you to the store. It is only going to be good up to about 30 inches but that is plenty for most filter tubing.