Impeller Cleaning, How Often?

[ShinySideUp]

I tend to take apart the motor assembly on my Fluval 305 once a fortnight and clean the impeller and the impeller well. Now I've noticed that there is a slight rattle from the impeller in normal use that wasn't there when I got the filter some six months ago. I was wondering if I am cleaning the impeller too often and whether or not I would be better off letting a thin layer of slime build up inside the impeller well as a sort of 'lubrication'.

How often do you folks clean the motor parts of your filters'?

 

[Cazgar]

I have a Fluval U3 & clean the impeller every time I do a water change as I find it gets clogged up easily.
I've seen some people here recommend using Vaseline to cut down on noise

 

[fluttermoth]

Vaseline does the job, but it turns into horrible brownish lumps after a short time in water. If your impeller needs regular lubrication, invest in small tube of silicone grease; does the job much better